Do the Crab Walk
Learn and practice the crab walk: balance on hands and feet, move sideways, build strength, coordination, and play simple challenges safely with a partner.
Step-by-step guide to do the crab walk
Step 1
Put on comfortable clothes so you can move easily.
Step 2
Remove your shoes so your feet grip the floor.
Step 3
Lay out a yoga mat or choose a soft floor area to practice.
Step 4
Clear the area of toys or anything you might trip on.
Step 5
Sit with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
Step 6
Place your hands on the floor behind your hips with fingers pointing toward your toes.
Step 7
Press through your hands and feet to lift your hips until your belly faces the ceiling.
Step 8
Hold the lifted table position for 5 seconds to feel your balance.
Step 9
Move sideways by taking three small steps while keeping your hips lifted.
Step 10
Switch directions and move three small steps the other way while staying lifted.
Step 11
Set two cushions a short distance apart and take turns with your partner crab-walking to a cushion and back.
Step 12
Lower your hips down onto the mat to rest after your turn.
Step 13
Drink some water and take a short break to recover.
Step 14
Share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a yoga mat or cushions?
Use a folded towel or blanket instead of the yoga mat and stacked books or rolled towels in place of the cushions for the crab-walk targets.
My hips keep dropping when I try to lift—how can I fix that while crab-walking?
Press more firmly through your hands and feet, pull your belly toward your spine as you practice holding the lifted table position for 5 seconds, and take smaller steps to keep hips up while moving sideways.
How do we change the activity for younger children or older kids?
For younger children, have an adult support under their hips and start with a lower lift and two tiny steps, while older kids can hold the lift longer than 5 seconds, take longer three-step moves, or race between cushions.
How can we make the crab-walk more fun or show off our version?
Extend the activity by arranging cushions as checkpoints for a timed relay, add a lightweight beanbag to pass while crab-walking, decorate your mat or cushions, and then share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to do the crab walk
Crab Walk for Kids | Fun PE Exercise to Build Strength & Coordination
3 Videos
Crab Walk for Kids | Fun PE Exercise to Build Strength & Coordination
Do the Crab Walk | Coach Josh Active Animals for Toddlers & Preschoolers
Crab Walk Exercise (Physical Therapy)
Facts about gross motor skills for kids
🦀 The name 'crab walk' comes from the sideways, hands-and-feet posture that looks like how crabs move.
💪 Crab walking strengthens shoulders, arms, core, glutes and legs — a full-body move kids can do with no equipment.
🧠 Crossing the body's midline while crab walking helps develop coordination and brain-body communication.
⏱️ Short bursts of crab walks (1–3 minutes) boost heart rate, stamina, and can help kids refocus during playtime.
👯 Partner crab-walk races or mirror challenges make practice social, fun, and great for balance and teamwork.
How do you do the crab walk with a child?
What materials do I need for crab walk practice?
What ages is the crab walk suitable for?
What safety tips should we follow for crab walk activities?
