Chase and Crawl — The Moving Target Game

For babies around 8.5 months old · Gross Motor · Crawling · Visual Tracking

Why this week matters

Whether your baby is scooting backwards, rocking on hands and knees, army-crawling on the belly, or already zooming across the room, this is the season of movement. Crawling is worth celebrating — and encouraging — because it builds cross-body coordination, where the left and right sides of the body learn to work independently, along with shoulder and core strength that supports skills for years to come. A still toy is nice, but a moving toy is irresistible. This week, we use a moving target to turn crawling practice into a chase game your baby will beg to repeat.

This week's activity: Chase the runaway toy

You'll need: a soft ball or any rolling toy, a clear stretch of floor (a firm mat or clean tiles work well), and your own hands and knees — yes, you are crawling too!

Sit on the floor with your baby and roll the ball slowly, just 1–2 feet away. Say, "Oh no, it's running away! Let's catch it!"
Wait and let your baby move towards it in their own style — scooting, rolling, or crawling all count. When they reach it, cheer like they won a match.
Once they catch on, roll the ball a little farther each time, or roll it gently past them so they must turn their body to follow it.
Get on your hands and knees and crawl alongside your baby. Babies love a crawling partner, and racing Mumma or Papa is the best motivation there is.
Finish with a "chase you" round: crawl slowly after your baby saying "I'm coming to get you!" Most babies squeal, speed up, and collapse into giggles.

Make it your own: Build a soft obstacle in the path — a rolled blanket or a pillow to climb over makes the chase a full workout. Not crawling yet? Place the toy just out of reach during tummy time and let your baby stretch, pivot, and lunge for it.

What your baby is learning

Cross-body coordination — moving opposite arm and leg together wires the two sides of the brain to cooperate, a foundation for walking, climbing, and even handwriting later.
Visual tracking while moving — following a rolling ball with the eyes while the body moves is advanced work for hand-eye coordination.
Motor planning — deciding how to get from here to there, around the pillow and past the chair, is your baby's first problem-solving on the move.

Make it easier with Kizoplay

Elephant Pull Toy — ₹899. Pull it slowly across the floor and this friendly wooden elephant becomes the perfect moving target for your little crawler to chase. Shop now →

Good to know

Clear the chase zone of sharp corners, wires, and anything small enough to swallow, and keep pull-toy strings in your hands, not baby's, at this age. Remember that babies move in many wonderful ways — bottom-shuffling, rolling, and late crawling are all normal paths. Every baby develops at their own pace; if you ever feel unsure, your paediatrician is the right person to ask.

This is Week 36 of the Kizoplay 52-Week Play Series — one simple, science-backed activity for every week of your baby's first year. Explore all our Montessori play kits at kizoplay.com.