How To Manage Kids That Like to Jump Off Heights

My children have always been adventurous climbers. I learned early on that I needed to work with their inner drive to jump, climb, and explore.

Otherwise, they'd find a way to do it - often when I wasn't looking, pushing well beyond the limits of what I considered safe!

But it's not just my kids. Most young children like jumping off furniture and other high places because they have a natural drive for movement and physical challenges.

It’s also a lot of fun, which is why we see children repeat these actions over and over again.

Although it can be difficult to manage at times, there are three important developmental benefits:

1. Maximum effort - Children, especially toddlers and preschoolers, have an internal drive to exert their muscles and test their physical capabilities. Climbing and jumping require strength, coordination, and balance, making them deeply satisfying activities.
   
   Click here to read more about why children are drawn to maximum effort activities.
   
   
2. Develops proprioception and vestibular senses - Jumping helps children understand where their body is in space (proprioception) and develop their sense of balance and movement (vestibular system). These senses are crucial for coordination, stability, and future gross motor skills.
   
   
3. Allows them to explore risk and develop independence - Children are naturally curious about what their bodies can do. Jumping from heights allows them to explore their limits, test cause and effect, and gain confidence in their abilities.
   

How To Manage This Behaviour

Because this stage is unavoidable for many children, it's best to find ways to accommodate their desire to jump from heights.

The key is teaching them how to do it safely.

You can do this by demonstrating. Unlike walking, which children see often, jumping isn’t something they witness adults doing every day. Show them how to bend their knees and land on both feet.

You can even turn it into a game where you take turns jumping off a low step or sturdy surface onto a soft landing spot.

And practice - you can count down together before jumping, try different kinds of jumps, or see who can land the quietest.

Or take a moment to watch other children at the playground jumping from high places. Point out how they use their hands to catch themselves if they lose their balance. Noticing these natural movements helps children understand how to jump and land safely.

5 Exciting (BUT SAFE) Jumping Activities

1. Designate a jumping zone - set up a safe space where jumping is encouraged! Use a crash pad, a thick rug, or a pile of cushions to create a designated landing area. This makes it easier to redirect jumping from unsafe places and helps your child recognize, "This is where I can jump!"
   
   
2. Buy an indoor trampoline - allows for lots of jumping while staying in one place. You can buy ones with handles to make it even safer.
   
   
3. Indoor Play Gym, Barumba Play Couch or Pikler Triangle - if you have the space at home, indoor climbing structures are a great way for children to climb and jump safely, especially on days when going outside isn’t an option.
   
   
4. Get outside - look for areas outdoors (backyard, playground, etc.) where your child can safely jump. Thanks to the natural drive mentioned earlier, if a child wants to jump, they’re going to figure out a way to do it. Find a place outdoors where you will feel comfortable allowing your child to test their jumping skills.
   
   
5. Jumping Games - play games that involve jumping, like The Floor is Lava, Hopscotch (make one indoors with painters tape!), Jump Rope, Leap Frog, Keepy-Uppy, Follow the Leader, etc.