Walking up stairs: how the skill grows from 14 to 32 months
Walking up stairs means moving from crawling up stairs to walking up them, first holding a hand or a rail. Stairs ask for leg strength, a moment of balance on one leg and attention to every step.
Updated
Walking up stairs: 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: Walks up with two hands held. Steps up one stair at a time with both hands in yours.
Activities that fit this step
- Climb the Stairs to Teddy · 15–30 months · 3–8 min
- Count-the-Stairs Walk Up · 16–28 months · 3–8 min
- Curb Step-Ups on Walks · 20–30 months · 3–10 min
Next step: Rail plus a finger. Holds the rail on one side and your finger on the other, two feet on each stair.
Activities that fit this step
- Climb the Stairs to Teddy · 15–30 months · 3–8 min
- Count-the-Stairs Walk Up · 16–28 months · 3–8 min
- Curb Step-Ups on Walks · 20–30 months · 3–10 min
Next step: Rail only. Walks up a few stairs holding just the rail while you stay below.
Activities that fit this step
- Climb the Stairs to Teddy · 15–30 months · 3–8 min
- Count-the-Stairs Walk Up · 16–28 months · 3–8 min
- Curb Step-Ups on Walks · 20–30 months · 3–10 min
Next step: Alternates feet. Puts one foot on each stair going up, still with a hand on the rail.
Activities that fit this step
- Climb the Stairs to Teddy · 15–30 months · 3–8 min
- Count-the-Stairs Walk Up · 16–28 months · 3–8 min
- Curb Step-Ups on Walks · 20–30 months · 3–10 min
Top of the ladder (alternates feet). Keep it flexible: offer it in a new place, with a different person or with new materials.
Activities that fit this step
- Climb the Stairs to Teddy · 15–30 months · 3–8 min
- Count-the-Stairs Walk Up · 16–28 months · 3–8 min
- Curb Step-Ups on Walks · 20–30 months · 3–10 min
The walking up stairs ladder
5 steps from the first sign to a flexible skill, covered here from 14 to 32 months. Children move at their own pace: use the steps to see what comes next, not as deadlines.
-
Crawls up
Climbs the stairs on hands and knees, often surprisingly fast.
-
Walks up with two hands held
Steps up one stair at a time with both hands in yours.
-
Rail plus a finger
Holds the rail on one side and your finger on the other, two feet on each stair.
-
Rail only
Walks up a few stairs holding just the rail while you stay below.
-
Alternates feet
Puts one foot on each stair going up, still with a hand on the rail.
When walking up stairs usually shows up
Walking up a few stairs, rather than climbing on hands and knees, with or without help, is a CDC 24-month milestone. For a while most children bring both feet onto each stair; alternating feet usually comes later.
This page follows walking up stairs from 14 to 32 months, a window that spans the 15-month, 18-month, 24-month and 30-month CDC checklists.
In the library, 3 activities practise walking up stairs (3 as their main skill), for ages 15 to 30 months. 3 of them need no prep and take 10 minutes or less. By age, all of them sit closest to step 3 of 5, “Rail plus a finger”.
Related items appear on the CDC checklists for 24 months.
Related milestones
CDC checklist items (paraphrased) that involve walking up stairs. Checklists are for monitoring, not a test.
| Checklist | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 24 months | Walks up a few stairs, rather than climbing on hands and knees, with or without help. |
Activities that practise walking up stairs
Placed on the closest ladder step by age. By primary domain: 3 gross motor. Quickest to start: Climb the Stairs to Teddy (3–8 minutes).
Step 3: Rail plus a finger
Skills practised alongside
The activities for walking up stairs most often also work on balancing (1), counting (1) and following one-step directions (1). Pairing them keeps practice playful: one activity, several skills.
Practise it inside everyday routines
- Practise on two or three steps at the park or porch, with you standing one step below.
- Count each step aloud as a foot lands, pausing so your child sets the pace.
- For coming down, teach sitting and bumping down, or backing down on the tummy.
- Keep stair gates closed at all times except during practice with you.
What to avoid
- Practising when you are in a hurry or while your child carries something; hands and your full attention belong on the stairs.
When to mention it to the pediatrician
If your child cannot walk up a few stairs, even with your hand, by about 24 months, mention it at the 2-year visit, and sooner if they lose walking or climbing skills they had.
Worried about walking up stairs 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 walking up stairs?
Walking up a few stairs, rather than climbing on hands and knees, with or without help, is a CDC 24-month milestone. For a while most children bring both feet onto each stair; alternating feet usually comes later. The first step to look for: climbs the stairs on hands and knees, often surprisingly fast.
How can I help my toddler with walking up stairs?
Practise on two or three steps at the park or porch, with you standing one step below. Count each step aloud as a foot lands, pausing so your child sets the pace. A good first activity is Climb the Stairs to Teddy (15–30 months).
What should I avoid when practising walking up stairs?
Practising when you are in a hurry or while your child carries something; hands and your full attention belong on the stairs.
When should I mention walking up stairs to the pediatrician?
If your child cannot walk up a few stairs, even with your hand, by about 24 months, mention it at the 2-year visit, and sooner if they lose walking or climbing skills they had. You can also contact Early Intervention yourself.
Related
Monitoring, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about any concern. Our sources and method.