How to Teach a Child to Do a Handstand

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Co-authored by Joel Warsh, MD

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 References

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Setting up

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Warming up

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Practicing the handstands

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Expert Interview

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Q&A

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Tips

Whether you are a gymnastics coach or a parent helping children follow in your footsteps, teaching a youngster how to do a handstand can be quite a challenge! This article will let you know what to watch for and what to avoid.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Setting up

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1
Find a safe place to learn. Clear the area of any sharp or hard objects that might cause an injury if the child falls on them.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Joel Warsh, MD
Board Certified Pediatrician

Expert Interview} Choose a spot with plenty of room to move around.^{[2]
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- Grass, gym mats or a mattress on the ground are good ground surfaces.
For example, be near a wall, or use a chair or sofa. For softness, include a gym or yoga mat.^{[3]
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Part 2

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Warming up

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Have fun with this. Make up games that will keep the child full of energy.^{[4]
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It might seem crazy but it will get them the hang of being upside down. (If you don't know, a wheelbarrow race involves one person "walking" with their hands on the ground, and a second person walking or running behind the first person while holding that person's legs off the ground.)
Show them how to roll while falling.

Part 3

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Practicing the handstands

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Have the child practice kicking up into the air and resting against the wall. Then help the child with the landing. Spot the child at all times and help to hold the child in position while he or she gets the feel for the handstand.^{[5]
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Continue to spot them as they kick (holding up as needed), then help them to land again. Repeat as often as needed but ensure that the child has breaks to avoid getting dizzy or tired.^{[6]
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Keep practicing this daily. Eventually the child will get the hang of it, in their own time.
- This takes time.
It'll take time, so be patient.

Community Q&A

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Question

What if my child is scared, but really wants to learn?

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You can guide your child up into a handstand several times to get them used to how it feels. Just hold onto their ankles to keep them from falling. Once your child gets used to the feeling of it, you can start letting go for longer and longer amounts of time.

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How can I do it without using a wall and help?

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Put your hands on the ground and start pushing and shooting your legs into the air until you get used to having your feet above your head. Then start putting more balance into it, and before you now it, you can do a handstand. After that, learn a cartwheel, then a one handed cartwheel, a side flip, a backflip, a frontflip, etc. Build up.

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Question

I'm a child. I can't go outside, I don't have a gym mat and we don't have an extra mattress. What other surfaces can I use?

Community Answer

The next safest surface would be a room with carpeted flooring. That way if you fall it won't hurt as much. Place pillows around you to soften any falls.

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Tips

Don't be harsh. A child learns better if they are having fun. If they do misbehave, respond firmly but gently.

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You can help your child get more strength by having them do a handstand with one leg in the air. This can also be a good way to get the feeling of a handstand!

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