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Cushion Crawling Course

Sofa cushions on the floor and a baby determined to get across them.

For ages9 mo - 2y
Time available15 min
Prep3 min
Mess
Noise
YouYes, I will join in

The simplest possible gross-motor setup for a child who is crawling or newly walking.

What you need

  • sofa cushions
  • pillows
  • a blanket

How to do it

  1. Lay three or four cushions in a line on the floor.
  2. Put a favourite toy at the far end.
  3. Kneel at the end and encourage them across.
  4. Add a rolled blanket as a small hill once they manage the flat run.
  5. Let them do it as many times as they want. Repetition is the point.

Why this is good for them

Crawling over uneven surfaces builds core strength and teaches a baby to adjust balance in real time, which walking depends on. The toy at the end matters because it gives the effort a purpose.

Adapting by age

9 to 12 monthsTwo flat cushions only, with you very close.
2 to 3 yearsAdd a rule: cross without touching the floor.

Keep it safe

Stay within arm reach. Keep it away from hard furniture edges and never stack cushions high.

Cleanup tip

Cushions back on the sofa as a throwing game.

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