How to Improve Balance in Kids — Simple, Fun Ways You Can Try at Home

Balance is the foundation for almost every physical skill a child develops — from walking and running to climbing, jumping, and playing sports. When balance is tricky, children might tire quickly, trip often, use one leg more often, or avoid playground activities.

The good news? With playful practice and the right guidance, balance can improve at any age. Children with well-developed balance often find it easier to join in with peers, avoid unnecessary falls or injuries, and feel more capable and confident in active play.

Understanding Balance

Balance is the body’s ability to stay steady — whether holding still (static balance) or moving (dynamic balance). It is a complex skill that requires 3 key systems to work together seamlessly. These systems are:

1. Visual system:

   Our vision provides essential feedback to our brain about what is around us and gives us a reference point to help us align our bodies to keep our balance. It can also help our bodies to pre-empt the required movements, such as if we need to go up a step, we need to shift our body weight forward.
   

2. Vestibular system: Our inner ear has tiny receptors which helps our brain determine if we are too far forward, backwards, or if we need to move either to the left or right to help maintain our balance.

   
   

3. Proprioceptive system: Our muscles, tendons and ligaments have receptors which provide feedback on muscle stretch and length, joint position and joint pressure, as well as the speed of movement. This system feeds back to the brain with information so that our brain can then tell our muscles to respond appropriately to help maintain our balance.

When one of these areas needs extra support, a child might seem unsteady or avoid challenging movement tasks. Incorporating activities to improve balance in kids into everyday play helps strengthen these systems and builds the confidence needed for more complex skills later on.

Signs Your Child May Benefit From Balance Support

You might notice:

• Frequent tripping or stumbling

• Wobbling when standing still or hopping

• Difficulty standing on one foot

• Hesitation with climbing or balancing equipment

• Trouble riding a scooter or bike

• Avoidance of physical games or sports

• Low confidence or reluctance to join active play

  
  

These signs don’t necessarily mean there’s a disorder — but they can be a cue to add more balance activities and games into everyday play. If difficulties persist or affect your child’s confidence, a paediatric physiotherapist can help identify what’s happening and guide next steps.

Fun Ways To Build Balance At Home

Here are simple, play-based activities to improve balance in kids that you can try at home:

• Bubble Popping: Blow bubbles and encourage your child to reach, stretch, or kick to pop them.

• Step Tap: Place one foot on a small step, hold, then switch. Strengthens legs and core.

• Freeze Dance: Dance to music, freeze when it stops — great for control and body awareness.

• Hopscotch: Hop through squares, landing on one foot or two for rhythm and balance.

• Heel-to-Toe Walk: Walk a straight line, heel touching toe. Try curves or slow backward steps.

• Sticker Grab: Place stickers on legs or feet; lift and reach to peel them off.

• Exercise Ball Balance: Sit tall on a therapy ball, keeping steady for short bursts.

• Kicking and Trapping a Ball: Practice gentle, accurate kicks toward a target, and also practice placing a foot on top of the ball to stop it.

• Tree Pose: Stand tall on one leg, hands together — a calm way to practice stillness.

• Twister: Stretch and balance to reach coloured spots without toppling.

  
  

These activities help build core strength, body control, and confidence — key parts of gross motor skills development.

When To Seek Extra Support

The team at COMO Therapy in Canberra use a range of tools to assess why your child may be struggling and can implement a tailored program to help improve balance, confidence, and participation in everyday activities.

If your child continues to struggle with balance, seems anxious about movement, or isn’t keeping up with peers, professional guidance can help - contact us today!