8mo–20mo8 minFamily timeActive playFree play
Stand-and-Reach Treasure Trail
A short, safety-first movement play for babies and young toddlers: encourage pull-to-stand, cruising, and early steps using a stable furniture ‘trail’ and motivating toys, while observing balance, confidence, and hand use.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a clear floor space near a stable sofa/low table (adult supervised)
- 2–4 motivating toys that are NOT small enough to be a choking hazard
- a soft mat or folded blanket for a gentler landing area
Nice to have
- a sturdy laundry basket or pushable box (only if it stays stable and does not tip)
- a pillow to mark a ‘finish line’
- non-slip socks or bare feet (whatever is safest on your floor)
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestonePulls to standBody· 8mo–13mo· core
- MilestoneCruises along furnitureBody· 10mo–15mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneStands while holding supportBody· 9mo–18mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneStanding while playingBody· 12mo–2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneAssisted walkingBody· 9mo–12mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· stretch
- MilestoneClaps handsBody· 9mo–17mo· core· Step 4
What it practices
- Pulls to standing, holding on to furniture or person for support.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Holds an object in each hand and brings them together in the middle, e.g. holds two blocks and bangs them together.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Picks up small objects between thumb and fingers.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Support and encourage babies’ drive to stand and walk.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)