Every parent expects a few tumbles as their child learns to walk and run. But if your little one keeps tripping, falling, or avoiding running altogether, it might leave you wondering: is this normal, or is something else going on?

Why Does My Child Keep Tripping When They Run?

If your little one keeps tripping, falling, or looking a bit awkward when they run, you might be wondering if it’s just clumsiness or something more?

The short answer is: No, it’s not usually normal for children to keep falling when they run – especially once they’re past the toddler stage.

Most kids start running between 18–24 months (around six months after learning to walk). By age 3–4, running usually becomes faster and smoother, and by 5–6, kids can stop quickly, dodge around others, and run with purpose during games.

So, if your child is still struggling, it’s worth taking a closer look.

What Children Need to Run Well

Running may look simple, but it takes a lot of different skills working together:

• Balance and coordination – shifting weight smoothly from one leg to the other.

• Strength – strong muscles in the legs, hips, and core to power movement.

• Motor planning – the brain telling the body exactly what to do and when.

• Joint stability – to absorb impact and prevent wobbly ankles or knees.

• Endurance – to keep going without getting too tired too quickly.

Why Some Kids Struggle with Running

There are several reasons children might find running tricky:

• Low muscle tone – kids may tire quickly or lack stability.

• Developmental delays – if crawling or walking were later milestones, running might also take longer.

• Coordination challenges – some kids have trouble sequencing movements or controlling speed and direction.

• Musculoskeletal factors – flat feet, toe walking, knock knees, hypermobile joints, or leg length differences can affect how they run.

• Neurological conditions – such as cerebral palsy, autism, or certain genetic conditions, which can impact coordination and balance.

• Less practice – children who spend less time in active play (and more time on screens) may not naturally develop running skills as easily.

How Physiotherapists Assess Running

If you bring your child to a paediatric physiotherapist, they’ll look at:

• How your child runs (their gait and overall movement).

• Muscle tone, joint flexibility, strength, and reflexes.

• Balance, coordination, and other gross motor skills.

• Whether issues like hypermobility or low muscle tone are playing a role.

When to Seek Help

You don’t need to panic, but it’s a good idea to see a physiotherapist if:

• Your child isn’t running by 2.5 years old.

• They fall or trip often or avoid running and playground games.

• Their running looks unusual (arms not moving, very high steps, wobbly ankles).

• They tire quickly, puff easily, or refuse to run.

The Good News: Early Help Works

The earlier your child gets the right support, the better. A physiotherapist can figure out what’s behind the problem and give you practical advice and exercises to help your child run with more confidence and less frustration.

At Proactive Physiotherapy, our paediatric physiotherapist loves working with kids and families to turn “clumsy running” into confident movement. With the right guidance, most children can make huge progress and get back to enjoying games and play without the constant falls.

Call us on 07 4053 6222 or book online to see how we can help.