#milestoneplay

Your baby’s 24th week is a vibrant period of change and development. Around this time, many babies begin working on foundational gross motor skills—especially rolling over, which sets the stage for crawling, sitting up, and eventually walking. One of the best ways to support your baby's progress is through kicking play—a series of purposeful, fun, and sensory-rich activities that help build strength, coordination, and confidence.

At Week 24, your baby may already be experimenting with rolling from back to tummy or tummy to back. If not, don’t worry—every baby develops at their own pace. The key is creating a nurturing and engaging environment that gently encourages them to explore their bodies, strengthen their core muscles, and use their legs as the power source for rolling.

In this guide, we’ll explore what’s happening developmentally at Week 24, the importance of kicking play, and provide a list of expert-backed, fun activities to help your baby roll. We’ll also answer frequently asked questions and provide additional resources.

🍼 Explore more on this topic: Kicking Play Ideas to Help Your Baby Roll – MonkiBox Blog

What’s Happening at Week 24?

By 24 weeks (approximately 5.5 to 6 months), your baby is becoming increasingly active, alert, and mobile. Here’s a snapshot of typical developments:

Core strengthening: Tummy time and leg play have built foundational strength.

Improved vision: Babies can track toys and movement across midline.

Intentional movement: Kicking, reaching, and grasping are now purposeful.

Rolling milestones: Many babies begin rolling both ways or are practicing with support.

Body awareness: They’re learning how their arms, legs, and torso work together.

Even if your baby hasn’t rolled yet, don’t stress. The wide range for this milestone is 4 to 6 months. With the right activities and encouragement, most babies reach it naturally.

Why Kicking Play Matters

You might wonder: Why focus on kicking? Isn’t rolling a core or arm-driven action?

Kicking is an essential precursor to rolling and crawling. It helps:

Build lower body strength, especially in the thighs and hips.

Activate core muscles by challenging stability.

Develop spatial awareness and coordination.

Encourage crossing the midline, which is crucial for future motor skills.

Rolling involves a beautiful interplay between leg thrust, core engagement, and shoulder rotation. Kicking provides the base from which these movements become synchronized.

Best Kicking Play Ideas to Help Your Baby Roll

These activities are designed to be safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate for babies around 24 weeks. Make sure baby is well-rested and alert during playtimes and always supervise closely.

1. Tummy Time with a Twist

Purpose: Strengthens neck, back, shoulders, and arms while encouraging rolling.

How to do it:

Place your baby on a playmat or soft surface.

Position a high-contrast or musical toy just out of reach to one side.

Encourage baby to turn and pivot toward the toy by kicking and shifting weight.

Pro Tip: Place a rolled-up towel under their chest to ease the effort and make it more enjoyable.

2. Crinkle Paper Under the Feet

Purpose: Provides sensory feedback to encourage intentional kicking.

How to do it:

Place your baby on their back.

Slip crinkly tissue paper, a mylar blanket, or a MonkiBox crinkle toy under their feet.

As baby kicks, the noise reinforces their cause-effect understanding and motivates repetition.

Why it works: The sound encourages repetitive leg movement, which activates the right muscles for rolling.

3. Toy-to-Toe Play

Purpose: Boosts coordination and helps baby discover the power of their legs.

How to do it:

Use a soft hanging toy (like those in baby gyms) at the height of your baby's feet.

Encourage baby to kick it by lightly tapping their feet with it and then stepping back.

Celebrate with claps or smiles when they make contact.

Variation: Try using a toy with bells or lights for extra excitement.

4. Side-Lying Play

Purpose: Helps initiate the rolling motion.

How to do it:

Lay your baby on their side with a small rolled blanket behind their back for support.

Dangle a toy in front of them or shake a rattle to prompt them to reach and rotate.

Let their top leg cross over—this often triggers the rest of the body to follow.

Encouragement: Praise every attempt, even if they don’t complete the roll.

5. Leg Bicycle Game

Purpose: Builds coordination between left and right sides of the body.

How to do it:

Lay your baby on their back.

Gently hold their legs and move them in a slow bicycle motion.

Sing or talk to your baby as you go.

Bonus: This movement supports digestive health too!

6. Mirror Motivation

Purpose: Encourages reaching, kicking, and rolling toward reflection.

How to do it:

Prop a baby-safe mirror next to your baby during tummy or side-lying time.

Most babies love faces, and seeing themselves motivates movement.

Place a toy next to the mirror to add curiosity and inspire rolling attempts.

7. Kick and Reach Combo

Purpose: Strengthens cross-body coordination.

How to do it:

Lay your baby on their back.

Hold a favorite toy above their belly and encourage them to reach.

Tap their opposite foot gently while holding the toy on one side to help them connect the foot-to-hand movement pattern.

How Often Should You Do These Activities?

Consistency matters more than intensity. Aim for short, frequent play sessions, such as:

3–5 times per day, 5–10 minutes each

Always based on baby’s mood and readiness

After naps or diaper changes when baby is calm and alert

Key Tips for Supporting Rolling

Give plenty of floor time: Limit time in bouncers, swings, or seats.

Let baby play in various positions: Back, tummy, side.

Celebrate small wins: Rolling takes practice—cheer for every attempt.

Follow their lead: If they seem tired or frustrated, give a break.

Be patient: Every baby hits milestones at their own pace.

Real Parent Tip

“We placed a musical toy just out of reach during tummy time. One day, she finally kicked and twisted her way toward it. She was so proud—and so were we!” — Laura, mom of 6-month-old Ava

When to Talk to Your Pediatrician

While there's a wide range of normal, reach out to your pediatrician if by 6-7 months, your baby:

Isn’t attempting to roll in either direction

Has very stiff or floppy muscle tone

Doesn’t seem to respond to toys or play

Isn’t showing interest in moving their body

Early intervention makes a big difference, so don't hesitate to seek guidance.

Conclusion

Your baby’s sixth month is a time of joyful discovery, and kicking play is an ideal way to support one of their biggest milestones: rolling. Whether they’re just beginning to experiment with side-lying or already halfway across the playmat, your encouragement, environment, and play ideas are the magic behind their progress.

Through simple yet powerful activities like crinkle play, mirror time, and guided leg movements, you’re not just helping your baby roll—you’re setting the foundation for all the exciting movement ahead, including crawling, standing, and walking.

Keep the experience light, fun, and filled with smiles. Celebrate every wiggle and kick as a step forward in their growth journey.

👉 Dive deeper into expert ideas and product recommendations at Kicking Play Ideas to Help Your Baby Roll – MonkiBox Blog

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it normal for my baby to not be rolling at 6 months?

Yes, rolling typically occurs between 4 and 6 months, but some babies take longer, especially if they were born early. If your baby isn’t rolling by 7 months, consider speaking with your pediatrician.

2. How can I encourage my baby to roll from tummy to back?

Tummy-to-back rolling usually comes first. Try placing a toy or mirror to one side during tummy time, and gently guide their hips to help them discover the motion. Consistent tummy time is key.

3. My baby hates tummy time. What can I do?

Start with short sessions, even just 1–2 minutes. Use a rolled towel under their chest, or lay them on your chest while you recline. Keep toys or mirrors within reach to make it fun.

4. What if my baby only rolls one way?

That’s common early on. You can encourage balance by positioning toys on the other side or helping them shift their weight toward the non-dominant direction during play.

5. How long should each kicking play session last?

Keep sessions short and engaging—about 5–10 minutes, several times a day. Stop if your baby gets fussy, overstimulated, or tired.

6. Are there toys designed specifically for kicking?

Yes! Many play gyms and activity mats include toys at foot level. MonkiBox’s curated kits often feature crinkle toys and hanging rattles ideal for this purpose.

7. Can I still do these activities if my baby has reflux?

Yes, but be mindful of their position. Wait 30–60 minutes after feeding before tummy or active play, and adjust positions as needed to keep them comfortable.

8. When will kicking turn into crawling?

Kicking strengthens the muscles needed for crawling, which often begins between 7–10 months. Every baby’s timeline is different, and rolling is a crucial step on the way.