As kids grow, their movements become more agile. Follow your child’s gross motor skill development from age 6 to 7.Gross motor skill development allows children to improve their balance and coordination and use their large muscles. These abilities helped your little one master certain movements, such as sitting, creeping, crawling, walking, running, climbing, jumping, and more. Developing gross motor skills is also an important step towards developing fine motor skills.
Gross motor skill development: 6 to 7 years old
At this age:
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Your child can jump forward about 60 cm with both feet (about the length of two rulers).
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They can jump rope with a short rope on their own or a long rope turned by two other people.
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They can jump on one foot at least 10 times while staying in one spot or moving forward.
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They can walk heel-to-toe along a straight line, both forwards and backwards.
Remember that not all children develop the same skills at the same speed. The material on this website is for general information purposes only. In addition, the milestone ages given may vary from source to source.
If you’re concerned about your child’s development, speak with a doctor. -
They can control the movement of a ball while moving and changing directions.
- They can ride a bicycle without training wheels over a short distance.
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Your child can coordinate their upper and lower body while jumping (e.g., they can do several jumping jacks in a row).
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They cross the monkey bars at the park by putting one hand on each bar.
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They’re gradually building muscle strength, which allows them to do things like lift heavier objects and jump with more power.
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They have better balance and greater muscular and cardiovascular endurance during physical activity, allowing them to run, swim, and bike for longer, for example.
Over the next few months, your child will begin to do the following:
- Acquire the skills needed to play team sports such as soccer or hockey.
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Move more quickly and easily without bumping into obstacles or other people while playing sports or biking.
- Successfully walk along a balance beam (5 cm wide) without falling.
How can you help your child progress?
Your child is unique and will develop at their own pace. They have strengths and weaknesses and are becoming increasingly self-aware. You can help your child develop their gross motor skills with these simple everyday actions:
When your child has some downtime and you suggest reading books or watching movies featuring characters who play sports, | | your child is inspired to get moving and try new sports. |
When you play with your child in the schoolyard, (e.g., racing on foot or on bikes) and set up obstacles like cones in their path, | | they improve their balance and muscle strength. They also learn to quickly adapt their movements while exploring their environment. |
When you give your child a physical challenge, such as racing you to the other end of the park, | | they will enjoy pushing their limits and improving their performance. They will also learn how to win and lose gracefully. Doing these activities together also helps to strengthen your bond. |
When you create opportunities for your child to play team sports with other kids in the neighbourhood, | | their physical skills improve, and they learn how to be a team player. |
When you build a snowman with your little one, | | they develop an interest in a variety of physical activities for every season. |
When you create a path or obstacle course at home using string on the floor or furniture that your child has to jump over, crawl under, or step over, | | they improve their coordination and learn that it’s possible to be active even when you’re at home. |
When you challenge your little one to move in different ways, such as by skipping, moving sideways, or hopping from one foot to the other, | | they develop their balance and coordination. |
When you play videos that get your child moving before a period of quiet play at home, | | they get active, develop their posture, and learn routines that they can then do on their own. |
| Scientific review: Josiane Caron Santha, occupational therapist
Research and copywriting:The Naître et grandir team
Updated: November 2025
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Photo: GettyImages/FatCamera
Resources and referencesNote: The links to other websites are not updated regularly, and some URLs may have changed since publication. If a link is no longer valid, please use search engines to find the relevant information. - Bouchard, Caroline, and Nathalie Fréchette. Le développement global de l’enfant de 6 à 12 ans en contextes éducatifs. 2nd ed., Presses de l’Université du Québec, 2022, 444 pp.
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Caron Santha, Josiane, and Solène Bourque. Bouger pour grandir : comprendre et favoriser le développement moteur des enfants (0–8 ans). Éditions Midi trente, 2023, 160 pp.
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Caron Santha, Josiane. Vidéo. Fais la dance d’IGOR le gorille avec moi. 2025. youtube.com
- Ferland, Francine. Bien grandir : le développement des 6-12 ans. “Parlons Parents” series, Éditions du CHU Sainte-Justine, 2022, 216 pp.
- Ferland, Francine. Bien grandir : le développement des 6-12 ans. Tableau synthèse des habiletés de l’enfant d’âge scolaire. Éditions du CHU Sainte-Justine, 2022. cdn.editions-chu-sainte-justine.org
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