The Best Toys for Your Baby & Toddler's Gross Motor Development

A wedge-shaped tummy time pillow props baby at a slight incline, making it easier for newborns to lift and hold their head — which directly builds the neck and upper back muscles needed for every milestone that follows. A bright, contrasting play mat underneath gives babies something visually engaging to motivate that hard work. I recommend starting tummy time from day one, even if it's just 2–3 minutes at a time.

⚠️ Safety note: Tummy time should always be supervised. Never leave baby unattended on a tummy time pillow, and never use it for sleep.

This is one of the most bang-for-your-buck toys out there. The lightweight, open-lattice design makes it easy for tiny hands to grip and explore. In tummy time, it encourages babies to shift weight onto one arm and reach — an important precursor to crawling. The rattle sound motivates rolling as babies track the toy. Simple, safe, and endlessly useful across the first year.

A well-designed play gym is one of the most versatile investments for the first six months. Hanging toys motivate babies to reach and kick — building core and hip flexor strength — and the visual stimulation encourages head turning that supports neck muscle balance. Look for one that can be used in both back-lying and tummy time positions. Bonus: many convert into a mat as baby grows.

A push walker gives new walkers the confidence boost they need without doing the work for them. Unlike a ring-sitting walker (which I'd steer clear of), a push walker requires your child to bear their own weight and control their own balance — it just provides a light point of external support while they figure out the coordination of walking. Look for one that has some resistance so it doesn't roll away too fast.

Foam climbers are basically a mini PT gym for your living room. Climbing up, over, and around different heights builds tremendous core and upper body strength, and challenges motor planning — the brain's ability to figure out how to move the body through space. This is one of the most clinically valuable toys for this age group. Look for sets with a small slide, ramp, and arch to maximize variety.

A modular play couch (like the Nugget) is endlessly reconfigurable — ramp, slide, fort, crash pad, climbing mountain — making it one of the most versatile gross motor tools you can have in your home. The foam provides proprioceptive feedback as kids climb, jump, and roll, which is deeply regulating for the sensory system. Don't want to spend the money? Pull the cushions off your own couch. Seriously — couch cushions on the floor are one of my favorite low-cost tools for obstacle courses, rolling practice, and safe crash landings. The developmental value is identical.

Never underestimate the humble ball. Rolling, throwing, chasing, and kicking works almost every gross motor skill simultaneously — weight shifting, balance, coordination, and bilateral body awareness. I recommend solid rubber playground-style balls over foam for this age group, since foam can be bitten into and poses a choking risk. Rubber balls in varied sizes (4", 6", 8") help toddlers develop different grip patterns and keep things interesting. Kicking also builds the single-leg stance needed for stair climbing and running.

Mini with Handle Bar

Enclosed with Safety Net

Jumping is one of the most powerful gross motor milestones — and a trampoline makes it accessible and safe indoors. The repetitive bouncing provides deep proprioceptive (joint-position) input to the whole body, which is incredibly regulating for the nervous system. Kids who seem "wild" or dysregulated often benefit enormously from trampoline time before demanding tasks.

Two great options depending on your space and budget:

🔵 Mini trampoline with a handle bar — compact, fits in any room, and the stability bar supports children who are still developing the leg strength and balance to jump with both feet. Great for smaller spaces and younger jumpers.

🟢 Enclosed trampoline with a safety net and bar — a larger jumping surface with a mesh enclosure around the outside and a bar to hold onto. The net means kids can bounce freely without the risk of bouncing off the edge, making it a great option for more enthusiastic or older jumpers. These typically fold flat for storage.

The Pikler Triangle (sometimes called a climbing triangle) is rooted in the Pikler approach to infant and toddler development — the idea that children should be allowed to move and explore freely at their own pace. As a PT, I love it because climbing challenges the whole body: grip strength, shoulder stability, core control, hip flexor strength, and serious motor planning as kids figure out where to put each hand and foot. It also gives children the opportunity to assess and manage their own risk — an underrated developmental skill. Many sets include a ramp with rungs for sliding, adding even more variety. It grows with children from about 18 months through early school age.

⚠️ Safety note: Always supervise your child closely while they use a Pikler triangle. Never leave them to climb unsupervised — a parent or caregiver should be within arm's reach at all times, especially with younger or less experienced climbers.

Don't be fooled by the age label — tunnels are fantastic for kids well beyond the crawling stage. Crawling through a tunnel with an obstacle (like a pillow) placed inside challenges upper body and core strength, bilateral coordination, and the motor planning required to navigate a confined space. For older kids, try bending the tunnel into an "S" shape or partially flattening it for extra challenge. One of my most-used tools in sessions.

Balance stepping stones are deceptively simple and incredibly effective. Stepping from stone to stone at different heights challenges single-leg balance, ankle stability, and the visual-motor coordination needed to judge distances. These are great for kids who tend to trip, stumble, or struggle with uneven terrain outdoors. Set them up in a line, circle, or obstacle course to keep things fresh.

A balance beam is a fantastic add-on or alternative — walking heel-to-toe along a raised beam builds the same single-leg balance and ankle stability in a more focused, linear way. Many sets combine stepping stones and a beam together, giving you a versatile indoor obstacle course in one purchase. Both are tools I use regularly in sessions.

A stomp rocket is one of those toys that's pure joy — and it happens to be excellent for gross motor development. To launch the rocket, kids have to jump or stomp with full-body force, which requires bilateral coordination, midline crossing, and significant proprioceptive input through the legs and feet. It's a fantastic outlet for kids who need heavy work input, and the cause-and-effect (stomp → rocket flies!) is incredibly motivating for all ages. A great excuse to get outside and move big.

💡 PT tip: Try having your child stomp with one foot at a time rather than both — this turns the stomp rocket into a single-leg balance challenge too! Standing on one leg while stomping down with the other requires the standing leg to stabilize the whole body, which is great practice for balance, core control, and hip strength.

Balance bikes are one of the best investments you can make for a 2–4 year old. By removing the pedals entirely, children learn the hardest part of biking first — balance — without the confusion of trying to pedal at the same time. Kids who learn on balance bikes almost universally transition to a pedal bike without training wheels. It also builds enormous core strength and leg endurance. Look for a lightweight model with a low seat height so feet can touch the ground flat.