Help! My Baby Moves Now: What to Do When Your Little One Gets Mobile
By Jordan Davison, Dir of Ops at the Heybrook
So, the baby’s crawling. Maybe it's more of a scoot, maybe it’s backwards, but either way—you’ve entered a new chapter: Mobility. This is the phase where “I’ll just run to the bathroom real quick” becomes a dangerous game. Welcome.
Here’s what to do (besides panic) when your tiny human figures out they can move on their own.
Let’s start with babyproofing. Once your baby is on the move, their hobbies include finding every outlet in the house, attempting to eat dust bunnies, and making direct eye contact as they lunge toward the dog bowl.
You don’t need to bubble-wrap your life, but it’s time for a few essentials: outlet covers, cabinet locks, furniture anchors, corner guards, and baby gates—especially if stairs are involved. Think of it less like a lockdown and more like a gentle redirect away from daily chaos and ER visits.
Once you’ve got the home secured, you’ll probably want to get out of it. But not all playgrounds are crawler-friendly. Luckily, Seattle and the Eastside have some great options for wobbly explorers.
Seattle parks great for crawlers:
Wallingford Playfield Tot Lot – Fenced, soft ground, and tot-sized equipment.
Ella Bailey Park (Magnolia) – Flat grassy space with stunning views.
Green Lake East Playground – Small, shaded tot area with soft surfacing.
PlayGarden (Central District) – Inclusive design, gentle terrain, and sensory features.
Eastside parks to check out:
Surrey Downs Park (Bellevue) – A big open field and cushioned play area great for crawlers.
Castle Park & Juanita Beach Park (Kirkland) – Tot-friendly features and waterfront views.
Westside Park (Redmond) – Calm, shaded, and easy to manage with little ones.
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park (Renton) – Trails, wide lawns, and room to roam.
Also check out ParentMap.com for up-to-date family-friendly events, playground roundups, and indoor/outdoor activities all over the Seattle area. It’s a go-to resource for local parents looking for adventure with a baby on the move.
This is also the perfect time to lower the bar. Crawling babies are somewhere between fully dependent and suddenly fearless. You don’t have to entertain them every second—just keep them safe, rotate toys now and then, and give them space to explore. Bonus points if you can drink your coffee while it’s still warm.
And if you’re craving a little more connection (and real-time reassurance you’re doing great), check out our Parent Foundation classes at The Heybrook. You’ll learn more about your baby’s development, meet other parents in the same stage, and finally get answers to the questions you didn’t even know you had.
You’ve got this. And we’ve got your back. (And snacks. And coffee.) Come visit us.
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