Watching your baby get ready to crawl is one of the most exciting milestones of early development. Crawling builds strength, coordination, balance, and confidence—and it sets the foundation for future skills like walking, climbing, and even handwriting later on.

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I work with families every day to help babies reach their gross motor milestones, and the good news is… you too can support crawling at home with simple, playful activities!

Here are fun, easy, and developmentally supportive ways to help your baby learn to crawl.

1. Strengthen Your Baby’s Core First

Before babies are ready to crawl, they need a strong and steady core. Crawling requires abdominal strength and the ability to maintain stability while moving arms and legs.

Try this simple activity:

Baby Pull-to-Sit (“Baby Sit-Ups”)

While your baby is lying on their back, gently hold their hands and guide them up into a sitting position. This helps:

• Build core strength
• Improve head + neck control
• Strengthen abdominal muscles
  

Try 5–8 reps, keeping it fun and engaging.

2. Build Strength in the Arms & Legs

A strong foundation in the arms and legs helps babies push up on their hands, tuck their knees, and coordinate movements.

Babies who are close to crawling often show signs like:
✔ Bearing weight through extended arms during tummy time
✔ Tucking knees underneath their body
✔ Rocking back and forth on hands and knees (a great pre-crawling milestone!)

To help build strength, try these OT-approved baby exercises:

Baby Squats

Hold your baby under the arms or at the waist and help them lower into a gentle supported squat while seated over your leg or thigh.
Great for:

• Leg strength
• Balance
• Coordination
  

Propped Sitting With Reach

Place your baby in a sitting position with their hands on the floor for support (“propped sitting”). Put toys slightly out of reach so they lean forward.
This helps:

• Arm strength
• Core control
• Weight shifting (important for crawling!)
  

3. Make Crawling Fun With Motivation

Motivation is everything for babies! A baby who is excited will move more, reach farther, and try harder.

Toy-Forward Tummy Time

While your baby is on their tummy, place a favorite toy just out of reach.
This encourages your baby to:

• Push through their arms
• Shift their weight
• Move their body forward
  

Use High-Interest Toys

Try:

• Crinkly toys
• Light-up toys
• A musical toy
• A mirror
• A soft sensory ball
  

Let them try to reach—and celebrate big when they do!

Check out the OT Latina Amazon Storefront HERE! >>>

4. Try a Tunnel or Cushion Obstacle

Setting up a simple obstacle encourages crawling in a playful way.

Soft Tunnel Play

Use a play tunnel or create one with chairs + a blanket.
Babies love crawling toward you on the other side!

Cushion Pathway

Place couch cushions or a soft blanket trail on the floor.
It challenges:

• Balance
• Strength
• Motor planning
  

5. Practice “Hands-and-Knees” Rocking

Gently place your baby on hands and knees, supporting their chest or hips as needed, and let them rock back and forth.

This helps babies learn the rhythm of crawling.

Pro tip: Use a rolled towel or small pillow under their chest for support if they need a little boost.

6. Use Yourself as the Motivation

Babies love faces more than toys.

Try:

• Sitting a few feet away
• Smiling, cheering, or tapping the floor
• Holding out your arms
  

Be the thing they crawl toward!

Crawling is a HUGE milestone, but remember—every baby develops at their own pace. With a little encouragement, strength-building, and motivation, your baby will be on the move in no time!