Last reviewed: November 6, 2026. Checked against current guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), the CDC and Nemours KidsHealth.
Perhaps one of the best moments in any parent’s life is seeing their baby walk for the first time. However, it can also be difficult to help your baby get there, especially if you are a new parent. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to help your child reach their first steps.
Many babies take their first steps around their first birthday, but walking a bit earlier or later is normal. It might take a few days or weeks to reach this point, but be sure to keep hope. Here is everything you need to know about the five helpful activities that you can use to encourage your baby to walk.
1. Help Them Cruise
Before babies can begin walking without any support, they do require some support from parents or objects. This is also known as cruising, which involves stepping sideways using a stable furniture piece as support. The best way to help them cruise is to give them an opportunity to practice this motor skill.
For example, you can:
- Place the favorite toys of your child on the opposite end of a table or couch that they are at
- When you do this, it will encourage them to come closer to the object using the support
- As they keep doing this, they will soon stop using support to walk
Make sure the furniture they hold on to is sturdy and anchored, and that sharp corners are padded.
2. Hold Hands While Walking
Another activity you can do with your child is hold hands with them while they walk. Before a child can participate in any new activity, they need to feel supported, which is where you come in. Help them be a little independent by walking side by side with them.
It will help them gain balance, and even if they fall, they know that they will be safe because you are there. Once your baby is comfortable with the movement, you can slowly start leaving their hand. One by one, they will become confident with independent walking.
3. Use The Power Of Push Toys
Giving a sturdy push toy to your child is a great activity that will help practice dynamic support. This is when the child relies less on the support and adjusts body to keep walking. They will coordinate their movement with the body while using as less support as possible.
However, we recommend that you don’t place your baby in a walker. Walkers don’t help children learn to walk, and the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly urges parents not to use them because they can tip over and lead to falls down stairs. Learn more about the safety concerns that come with a baby walker. Instead, you can offer them a sturdy push toy, doll strollers, grocery carts, and much more to practice this. Choose ones that are stable and won’t tip easily.
4. Exploring Barefoot
A great activity to get your child to walk is to help them explore barefoot. That is because it allows the child to experience various tactile sensations through their feet. They also use these sensations to recruit muscles that help them create arch support while walking.
You can take off their socks and shoes when you are in the park so that they can easily walk on the grass. Check the ground first for sharp objects. However, you can apply the same to different grounds, such as carpets, floors, and mats. It allows the child to become familiar with different sensations and practice walking barefoot.
5. Stool Sitting Activity
Have your child sit on a stool without any back support, but be sure to create safe conditions so that they don’t fall. Here is what you need to do:
- Their feet should touch the floor so they can push the floor against the feet while the hips and knees are at ninety degree
- When the baby is in such a position, you can ask them to pick any toy from the floor and then sit back
As this starts happening, you can keep moving the toy around to strengthen different muscles and increase their reach. In the long run, it will help strengthen the back, leg, and shoulder muscles of your baby. Besides that, it will also help keep your baby in a position where they are supporting their weight using the body.
The baby will be more comfortable sitting and standing up when you keep practicing this. Don’t forget to supervise your child during all times when doing this activity so they can feel safe when they stand up to pick up the toys.
Final Thoughts
These are the top five helpful activities that will encourage your child to begin walking. Every child learns to walk at their own pace. Regular, playful practice like this can help build their strength and confidence.
Once you do, your child will be much more confident in walking. So, choose the activities you want to do and help your child walk independently. If your baby is not pulling up to stand or walking while holding on to furniture by around their first birthday, or you have any worries, talk to your pediatrician.
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. Always contact your pediatrician with questions about your baby’s health.
3 Sources
Newborn Stages uses trusted sources, including government health agencies, children’s hospitals and pediatric organizations, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn how we research, fact-check and keep our content accurate.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). Movement Milestones in Babies 8 to 12 Months Old.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Milestones by 1 Year.
- Nemours KidsHealth. Movement, Coordination, and Your 8- to 12-Month-Old.
