Pushing and pulling: how the skill grows from 12 to 30 months
Pushing and pulling means moving a box, basket or wagon by pushing it ahead or pulling it behind. It builds whole-body strength and the planning needed to steer around furniture.
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Pushing and pulling: the ladder, step by step
Pick the step that looks most like your child today. The next step and activities that practise it appear below.
No step picked yet. There is no wrong answer: pick the closest one.
Next step: Pushes while walking. Walks behind a laundry basket or box, leaning on it for support.
Activities that fit this step
- Push-the-Box Train · 12–20 months · 5–10 min
- Teddy's Blanket Ride · 14–24 months · 4–10 min
- Teddy's Cardboard Box Car · 17–27 months · 5–12 min
Next step: Pulls backward. Holds a blanket corner and steps backward to drag it along.
Activities that fit this step
- Push-the-Box Train · 12–20 months · 5–10 min
- Teddy's Blanket Ride · 14–24 months · 4–10 min
- Teddy's Cardboard Box Car · 17–27 months · 5–12 min
Next step: Pulls walking forward. Walks ahead pulling a toy and looks back to check it is coming.
Activities that fit this step
- Push-the-Box Train · 12–20 months · 5–10 min
- Teddy's Blanket Ride · 14–24 months · 4–10 min
- Teddy's Cardboard Box Car · 17–27 months · 5–12 min
Next step: Moves things on purpose. Pushes a box to a chosen spot and steers it around a chair.
Activities that fit this step
- Push-the-Box Train · 12–20 months · 5–10 min
- Teddy's Blanket Ride · 14–24 months · 4–10 min
- Teddy's Cardboard Box Car · 17–27 months · 5–12 min
Top of the ladder (moves things on purpose). Keep it flexible: offer it in a new place, with a different person or with new materials.
Activities that fit this step
- Push-the-Box Train · 12–20 months · 5–10 min
- Teddy's Blanket Ride · 14–24 months · 4–10 min
- Teddy's Cardboard Box Car · 17–27 months · 5–12 min
The pushing and pulling ladder
5 steps from the first sign to a flexible skill, covered here from 12 to 30 months. Children move at their own pace: use the steps to see what comes next, not as deadlines.
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Pushes while crawling
Shoves a ball or box across the floor on hands and knees.
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Pushes while walking
Walks behind a laundry basket or box, leaning on it for support.
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Pulls backward
Holds a blanket corner and steps backward to drag it along.
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Pulls walking forward
Walks ahead pulling a toy and looks back to check it is coming.
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Moves things on purpose
Pushes a box to a chosen spot and steers it around a chair.
When pushing and pulling usually shows up
Pushing and pulling are not CDC checklist items. Pushing a box or basket across the floor often begins around the time of first steps; pulling a toy on a cord while walking forward and glancing back usually comes a little later in the second year.
This page follows pushing and pulling from 12 to 30 months, a window that spans the 12-month, 15-month, 18-month, 24-month and 30-month CDC checklists.
In the library, 3 activities practise pushing and pulling (2 as their main skill), for ages 12 to 27 months. One of them needs no prep and takes 10 minutes or less. By age, they sit closest to steps 2 and 3 of the 5-step ladder, most (2) on “Pushes while walking”.
Activities that practise pushing and pulling
Placed on the closest ladder step by age. By primary domain: 2 gross motor and 1 creativity & pretend. Quickest to start: Push-the-Box Train (5–10 minutes).
Step 2: Pushes while walking
Step 3: Pulls backward
Skills practised alongside
The activities for pushing and pulling most often also work on simple pretend play (3) and walking on their own (1). Pairing them keeps practice playful: one activity, several skills.
Practise it inside everyday routines
- Load a cardboard box with a few toys or a stuffed animal for a "train" to push.
- Lay a toy on a blanket and pull it along the floor together.
- Ask your child to push the empty laundry basket to the next room.
What to avoid
- Long cords or ribbons on pull toys; keep strings short and keep pull toys out of the crib.
When to mention it to the pediatrician
Interest in pushing games depends on temperament. If walking is still not steady by 18 months, or your child cannot shift light toys around the floor at all, raise it with the pediatrician.
Worried about pushing and pulling between visits? Call the pediatrician; CDC's free resources also explain how to contact your local Early Intervention program directly. Milestones are for monitoring, not diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
When do toddlers start pushing and pulling?
Pushing and pulling are not CDC checklist items. Pushing a box or basket across the floor often begins around the time of first steps; pulling a toy on a cord while walking forward and glancing back usually comes a little later in the second year. The first step to look for: shoves a ball or box across the floor on hands and knees.
How can I help my toddler with pushing and pulling?
Load a cardboard box with a few toys or a stuffed animal for a "train" to push. Lay a toy on a blanket and pull it along the floor together. A good first activity is Push-the-Box Train (12–20 months).
What should I avoid when practising pushing and pulling?
Long cords or ribbons on pull toys; keep strings short and keep pull toys out of the crib.
When should I mention pushing and pulling to the pediatrician?
Interest in pushing games depends on temperament. If walking is still not steady by 18 months, or your child cannot shift light toys around the floor at all, raise it with the pediatrician. You can also contact Early Intervention yourself.
Related
Monitoring, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about any concern. Our sources and method.