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Parent Resources

Favorite PT Products
for Gross Motor Development

Child Playing Toys

These are some of the the exact products I use in my pediatric PT sessions, recommend to families, and have used with my own kids. I’ve chosen each one because it supports a specific part of development from early floor play and crawling to balance, strength, and walking. I’ll tell you why I like each product so you can decide whether it might be a good fit for your child.

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Tummy Time & Early Play

Rolling & Crawling

Sitting Development

Standing & Walking

Strength, Balance & Coordination

Everyday Baby & Toddler Gear

Colorful Balloons Design

Tummy Time & Early Play

Baby during tummy time with a favorite PT product mirror and cards.

2-In-1 Tummy Time Mirror

I love this for making tummy time more engaging. The mirror and high-contrast cards encourage babies to lift their head, look forward, and stay interested during floor play.

Baby tummy time toy for motor development

Tummy Time Mirror & Mat

This is great for tummy time, because it gives babies lots to look at and explore while they play. The mirror, textures, and high-contrast patterns encourage head lifting and reaching.

Babies playing with a ball for fine and gross motor development.

Bright Starts Oball

One of my favorite first reaching and grasping toys! The open design makes it easy for little fingers to get a secure grip to practice reaching, grasping, and bringing toy to their mouth.

Rolling & Crawling

Baby crawling on soft foam climber for gross motor development.

Climbing Blocks

I love these for babies who are rolling or belly crawling but aren't quite getting onto hands and knees yet. These encourage them to push through their arms and get onto their knees.

Baby crawling through a play tunnel for gross motor development.

Crawling Tunnel

Tunnels are great for babies who are rolling or just beginning to belly crawl. They encourage forward movement on the belly and give babies a clear direction forward.

Baby using a crawling roller for gross motor development.

Inflatable Rolling Toy

I love this for encouraging any type of floor mobility. When babies reach or bat at it, it rolls away giving them a fun reason to follow, whether they're rolling, belly crawling, or finding another way.

Sitting Development

Baby support pillow for sitting balance gross motor development.

Soft Foam Floor Seat

This is excellent for babies who are learning to sit. It provides just enough support while still allowing them to practice finding their balance and shifting their weight on their own.

Baby playing with a toy car for sitting balance and gross motor development.

Sit & Steer Driver Car

I love this for babies who are learning to sit because it encourages reaching, turning, weight shifting, trunk rotation, and balance while building confidence in sitting.

Baby playing with a toy for sitting and gross motor development.

VTech Activity Cube

I use this often for babies learning to sit because it fits nicely between their legs, encouraging a wide, stable base of support while giving them a reason to reach and play.

Standing & Walking

Tall shopping cart

Little Tikes Shopping Cart

I love this taller shopping cart for taller toddlers who are learning to walk. The higher handle lets them practice walking in a more upright position instead of bending forward.

Wide shopping cart

Radio Flyer Shopping Cart

I like this for toddlers who need a little more help with balance while learning to walk. The wider base provides extra stability, giving them more confidence to practice stepping forward.

DJ Table

Baby DJ Table

I love a lower activity table for practicing tall kneeling. It gives little ones a motivating place to play while they, improve postural control and balance they’ll need for standing and walking.

Shoes & Feet

New Balance 327

New Balance 327

I like the New Balance 327 for toddlers who need side-to-side stability. The wider base provides extra lateral support while still allowing kids to move and practice their walking skills.

Robeez

Robeez Soft-Soled Shoes

I like Robeez for early walkers. The soft, flexible sole allows natural movement. They offer protection while still allowing babies to feel the ground and use their feet and toes as they learn to balance and walk.

Chuck Taylor

Converse High Top

I like these high tops for kids who need a little more input around the ankle. The snug, lace-up fit provides increased sensory feedback and a secure feel while allowing active muscle use.

Strength, Balance & Coordination

Cando

Cando Balance Disc

I love the CanDo balance disc because it can grow with a child’s skills. Sitting on it challenges core strength and postural control, while standing on it adds a great challenge for leg strength and balance.

Rocking Horse

Little Tykes Rocking Horse

I love this rocking horse. Holding on, staying upright, and controlling the rocking motion challenges postural control, balance, and upper-body and core strength all at the same time.

Toddler slide

Little Tykes Toddler Slide

This toddler slide is great for building strength and coordination. Climbing up challenges the legs, and sliding helps develop balance, body awareness, and motor planning.

Everyday Baby & Toddler Gear

Height right wooden high chair for gross motor development and posture support.

Height Right High Chair

I love the Height Right high chair, because the adjustable seat and footrest allow for solid foot support and a more stable, upright sitting position, giving a strong base for optimal posture.

Boppy Proper Posture

Boppy Proper Posture Seat

Use this when you simply need a safe, supportive place to put your baby. I don’t consider it a tool for teaching independent sitting. This one is about giving parents a practical option when they need it.

Ergobaby

Ergobaby Omni Classic

I love the Ergobaby carrier. It supports comfortable positioning for baby and parent. Baby is supported in a natural position while distributing their weight more comfortably across the parent’s body.

First Birthday

Retrospec Cricket Baby Balance Bike

Retrospec Cricket Bike

I love this bike for building early balance and coordination. It lets little ones practice shifting their weight and controlling their body while giving them a stable introduction to ride-on toys.

Climbing Set

Tiny Land Climbing Set

I love the Tiny Land Pikler climbing set for building whole-body strength, balance, and coordination. It gives toddlers practice with motor planning, strengthening, and body awareness.

Fisher-Price Sit-n-Spin for gross motor development.

Fisher-Price™ Twist N Twirl

This is excellent for building core strength, balance, and coordination. It challenges upper-body strength, core strength, postural control, and body awareness.

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