At a glance
- Clear the hallway. Your child sits on the floor, hands behind, feet flat, and lifts their bottom up like a crab.
- Place a soft ball on their tummy. They crab-walk to the end of the hallway without dropping it.
- If it drops, pop it back on and carry on. Count the lengths they do without a drop.
- Progress 1: Your child crab-walks backwards, then sideways, with the ball on their tummy.
- Progress 2: Your child carries a cushion on their tummy with a soft toy balanced on top.
If it's not working: Swap the ball for a small cushion, which sits flat and does not roll off.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips
Set up
- Clear the hallway floor and close any stair gate.
Indoors in a clear hallway, or garden.
How to play
- Your child sits, hands behind, feet flat, and lifts their bottom up like a crab.
- Place the ball on their tummy.
- They crab-walk to the end of the hallway without dropping it.
- If it drops, pop it back on and keep going. Count the lengths without a drop.
Make it easier
- Swap the ball for a small cushion, which sits flat and does not roll off.
- Put a shoe halfway down the hallway and crab-walk just to there.
Make it harder, step by step
- Your child crab-walks backwards, then sideways, with the ball on their tummy.
- Your child carries a cushion on their tummy with a soft toy balanced on top.
- Then they carry the cushion and toy going backwards, then sideways.
Three things to say
- Keep your tummy flat and steady, and move hands and feet in small steps.
Colts habit
Work hard to the end of the hallway.
Both feet
Go sideways both ways.
Heads up
Look where you are going, not at the ball.
Safety: Keep well away from stairs (close any stair gate). Clear the floor. Go slowly and stop if wrists feel sore.
My best
Lengths without a drop. Last time and this time. Only ever compared with their own earlier go, never with anyone else's. Saved on this device only.