Kicks a ball
What is this milestone?
Balance and coordination
Your toddler can approach a stationary ball, swing their leg back, and kick it forward without completely losing their balance and falling.
Why it matters
Kicking a ball demonstrates advanced gross motor skills, requiring them to momentarily balance on one foot while the other foot performs a forceful, coordinated action.
What to expect leading up to it
Early kicks look more like walking into the ball or a clumsy, stiff-legged punt. They might completely miss the ball or fall backward a few times as they figure out the mechanics of shifting their weight.
How to encourage and support it
Start with a large, soft, lightweight ball (like a beach ball or soft foam ball) placed on a flat surface. Show them how to kick it gently, and make a game of kicking it back and forth in the hallway or yard.
When to talk to your doctor
The CDC's milestone checklists say what most children (75% or more) can do by each age. They list “Kicks a ball” by 2 years. If your child is not doing this by then, the CDC's advice is not to wait: talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening. The same goes at any age if your child loses a skill they once had, or if anything else about their development worries you. Source: the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” milestone checklists, checked October 5, 2026.
Every child develops at their own pace, and the ages here are the CDC's general guidance — not a developmental screening. This article is not medical advice and is not a substitute for your pediatrician. If you have any concern about your child's development, talk to them.
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