How to Support Your Baby’s Gross Motor Skills Through Play
, by Hello Charlie Blogs, 2 min reading time
Researching the best educational toys for your baby? Have a look at Hello Charlie’s guide to eco toys that help your baby develop essential gross motor skills.
Gross motor skills are the big movement skills babies use to control their body.
These skills include lifting the head, rolling, reaching, sitting, crawling, pulling to stand and eventually walking.
The good news is that you do not need complicated toys to support gross motor development. Babies build strength and coordination through simple daily play: tummy time, reaching for toys, rolling, kicking, stretching and moving on the floor.
You can browse Hello Charlie’s Eco Baby Toys, Newborn Toys and Learning Toys for safe play ideas.
What are gross motor skills?
Gross motor skills involve large muscles in the neck, back, arms, legs and core.
For babies, these skills develop gradually. Before a baby can crawl, they need head control. Before they can sit, they need trunk strength. Before they can stand, they need balance, coordination and confidence.
Tummy time is the starting point
Tummy time helps babies build strength in the head, neck, shoulders and upper body.
Raising Children Network recommends supervised tummy time from soon after birth, starting with short periods and building up gradually.
Make tummy time easier by placing a safe toy, soft book or high-contrast card in front of your baby. Get down on the floor with them, talk, sing and encourage them gently.
You can browse tummy-time-friendly toys in our 0–6 Months toy collection.
Best toys for gross motor development
Choose toys that encourage your baby to move, reach, turn and explore.
Good options include:
- Soft rattles
- Rolling toys
- Textured balls
- High contrast books
- Baby play gyms
- Teethers and grasping toys
- Stacking cups for older babies
- Push and pull toys for toddlers
Browse our Teethers & Rattles, Baby Books and Baby Eco Toys.
Play ideas by stage
Newborn to 3 months
- Short tummy time on your chest or floor
- Face-to-face play
- High contrast cards
- Gentle reaching practice with soft toys
3 to 6 months
- Place toys slightly to the side to encourage turning
- Use rattles to encourage reaching
- Try tummy time with a rolled towel under the chest if needed
- Encourage rolling by placing toys just out of reach
6 to 12 months
- Use rolling balls to encourage crawling
- Offer stacking cups and simple cause-and-effect toys
- Create safe floor spaces for movement
- Encourage reaching, sitting and crawling through play
For older babies, browse our Toys for 6–12 Months.
Keep baby safe during movement play
Always supervise floor play. Use a firm, safe surface and keep small objects, cords and hazards away from baby.
Avoid forcing positions. Babies develop at different rates, and play should be encouraging rather than pressured.
If you are worried about your baby’s movement, muscle tone or milestones, speak with your GP, maternal child health nurse or physiotherapist.
Final thoughts
Supporting gross motor skills does not require expensive gear.
Floor time, tummy time, reaching, rolling and simple toys can all help babies build strength and confidence.
Choose safe, open-ended toys that invite movement rather than toys that do everything for your baby.
Explore our Eco Baby Toys, Learning Toys and 6–12 Months Toys, or visit the Hello Charlie Blog for more guides.