Babies. One minute they’re potato‑shaped blobs, and the next, they’re plotting their great escape across your living‑room carpet. If you blink, you’ll find yourself frantically baby‑proofing everything at knee level.
For busy parents, encouraging crawling can feel like one more thing on an already bulging to‑do list. But with these five activities, you can give your little one a confident nudge toward mobility—no yoga mat or zen‑like patience required.
1. Tummy Time with a Twist
Tummy time—the classic, the myth, the legend. Every pediatrician’s favorite phrase, and for good reason. Placing your baby on their belly builds the muscles in the neck, shoulders, arms, and back that are crucial for crawling.
Here’s the twist: add some entertainment value. Scatter a few colourful, soft toys in a half‑circle just out of swatting reach. Place a mirror at baby’s eye level (babies love faces, even their own slightly surprised one).
If your baby is the social sort, lie down facing them and provide your best running commentary or silly faces. The goal is to keep that little head up and those arms pushing.
Research shows that tummy time isn’t just about physical strength—it’s linked to cognitive and visual development. As the American Academy of Pediatrics notes, even a few minutes of tummy time, several times a day, adds up.
Takeaway: tummy time needn’t be a battle of wills. Treat it as a mini social hour, complete with games and giggles. Just skip the tiny dumbbells.
2. Cushion Obstacle Course
Babies aren’t auditioning for Ninja Warrior, but a little obstacle action goes a long way.
An easy way to encourage crawling is to lay out a “course” using pillows, rolled towels, or soft cushions. Set up a gentle hill or two and plop a favourite toy on the other side.
The bumps and valleys challenge your baby’s newfound muscle control. As they learn to manoeuvre over lumps and bumps, core strength and coordination get a workout.
Plus, your living room will look like a very plush assault course—which is almost as good as having it tidy, right?
If your little one needs some extra incentive, plant yourself at the finish line with jazz hands and a round of applause. Babies are suckers for positive feedback, and seeing you cheer them on offers both motivation and comfort.
Remember to keep things soft and safe—no need for Everest‑worthy peaks. And stay within arm’s reach, just in case your little explorer’s ambitions briefly outpace their skills.
3. Toy Motivation Station
If you’ve ever watched your baby zero in on a set of jangly keys or a forbidden remote, you know motivation can move mountains (or at least tiny bodies). Use this innate curiosity to your advantage.
Select a few “high‑value” items—think shiny, noisy, or light‑up toys, or anything that makes your baby’s eyes go wide with glee. Place the item just beyond reach while your little one is on their tummy or hands and knees.
Sometimes, that extra bit of motivation is all it takes to get those arms and legs moving in synchrony.
Switch up the objects to keep things fresh. One day it’s a crinkly book; the next day, a toy that plays a tune until you’re ready to “forget” its batteries.
If all else fails, you—the parent—are the ultimate toy. Lie a short distance away and call to your baby with the most dramatic, over‑the‑top enthusiasm.
Babies are natural‑born fans, and you are their headliner.
A quick word of warning: once your baby masters this art, nothing is safe. Not your phone, not your cuppa, not even the poor family cat.
4. Crawl‑Along Mimicry
Babies learn by watching—and copying. There’s a reason your child will one day repeat your choicest phrase at the worst possible moment. Use their observational skills for good.
Get down on all fours and crawl around, making a game of it. Some babies will laugh outright; others may stare as if you’ve finally lost it.
Either way, your demonstration provides a clear model of what crawling looks like. Try “racing” alongside your baby, or play peekaboo from behind the sofa.
Siblings, if present, make excellent accomplices for this game. There’s nothing quite as motivating as seeing a big brother or sister cavorting across the floor (especially if your baby is desperate to join in the fun).
Pediatric physiotherapists often point out that modelling movements helps babies understand the mechanics—and fun—of crawling. If nothing else, crawling on carpet is surprisingly good for adult core muscles.
5. Clothing and Flooring Considerations
Sometimes a baby’s grand plans are foiled by a slick pair of leggings or a slippery hardwood floor. If your baby’s limbs keep sliding out from underneath, a wardrobe adjustment can make all the difference.
Opt for clothing with a little friction—think cotton onesies, footless leggings, or even those adorable grippy socks.
Rugs, playmats, or blankets over hard floors give your baby’s knees and hands something to grip, making the crawling process less like ice skating at the Winter Olympics.
If you live in a tiled or wood‑floored home, a large foam mat turns any room into a baby‑crawling HQ (and spares your knees when you’re joining in the fun).
Just check for non‑toxic materials and easy cleaning, because babies are magnets for mysterious goo.
As a bonus, setting up a special “crawling zone” sends a clear message that this is a safe, fun place to practise new moves. You might even snag thirty seconds to sip a lukewarm drink while your little one busies themselves with their newfound freedom.
Enjoying the (Messy, Joyful) Journey
Every baby has their own timeline for crawling—some charge ahead; others take a more scenic route. If your little one is content to roll, pivot, or bum‑shuffle their way across the floor, celebrate every wobbly attempt.
Crawling is a skill that often comes with a dose of comic relief and a side order of humility for parents.
Embrace the wonky wiggles, snap too many photos, and keep your phone just out of reach (for safety and your own sanity). Before you know it, you’ll be swapping crawling tips for walking shoes—and wondering where your stationary potato went.
May your living room be ever cushioned, your knees well‑padded, and your baby’s progress as delightful as their giggles.
