Puddle Jump Path: illustration of a toddler doing the activity

Puddle Jump Path

from 26 months · 10-15 min · Gross motor

Physical DevelopmentMathematics

What you need

  • tea towels or paper
  • open floor space

How to do it

  1. Lay 4-6 tea towels or sheets of paper on the floor as 'puddles'.
  2. Show your toddler how to jump with both feet into each puddle.
  3. Cheer 'splash!' every time they land.
  4. Space them further apart as they get confident.

Why it matters

Jumping with two feet together is a big physical milestone at this age, and it's the same push-and-land pattern behind hopping and climbing later.

What they're learning

two-foot jumping
Landing on two feet together builds the leg power behind hopping, skipping, and playground climbing.
spatial judgement
Aiming their jump at a puddle teaches them to judge distance, which helps later with stairs and kerbs.
counting in sequence
Counting 'one, two, three, jump!' links number words to real actions, an early step toward counting properly.

What to look for

Watch for both feet leaving the ground together, even if the landing is a stumble.

A tip

Count 'one, two, three, jump!' before each go so it doubles as an early counting game.

Make it easier or harder

Easier: let them step over the puddles instead of jumping

Harder: space the puddles wider so it becomes a real jump

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Gross motor activities · Activities for 2 year olds · Toddler activities with paper · Toddler activities with a towel