Preparing & Supporting Your Child For Pediatric Crutches

The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

When your child suddenly needs crutches—maybe after a fall at soccer practice or surgery to correct a condition they've lived with for years—there's more than just the physical change to manage. It’s the worry in their eyes when the doctor first says, “You’ll need crutches for a few weeks.” It’s the flurry of questions that follow—how will they keep up at school, play with friends, get around the house? And behind all that: your own concern about keeping them safe, building their confidence, and helping them feel like themselves.

Start With the Truth—At Their Level

Kids pick up on nervous energy quickly. The best first step is to tell them what’s happening in a way they can understand. You might say, “You’re going to be using crutches for a little while because your body needs time to heal. They’ll help you move around without putting pressure on the part that’s hurt or healing.”

Avoid minimizing it. Don’t say it’ll be easy—because it might not be. But you can reassure them that it’s temporary and that you’ll help them learn how to use them.

Now’s a good time to give them a chance to play through the idea. Letting a child “practice” with a toy or doll can help them emotionally prepare for using crutches themselves. Realistic, child-friendly medical support tools that include mobility aids can help turn the unknown into something familiar.

Fit Comes First

Crutches that don’t fit properly can cause more harm than good. They can lead to soreness in the hands, underarms, shoulders, and back. A proper fit is crucial to keeping your child safe and helping them feel confident as they learn to use their new equipment.

Check these fit basics:

• The top of the crutches should be 1–2 inches below the armpits when standing.
• Hand grips should be at wrist level when arms are relaxed at the sides.
• When gripping the handles, elbows should bend slightly (about 15–30 degrees).
  

One important reminder: the weight should be carried through the hands, not the armpits. Kids often lean into the top of the crutch for support, especially when tired, but it’s better to train the body early on to rely on the arms and core.

Let them be part of the process. Ask how the crutches feel. Let them walk in front of a mirror and test out a few steps. Being involved in these early steps helps them feel more in control of what’s happening to their body.

Practice Makes Safe

Most children won’t master crutches in one afternoon—and that’s okay. Learning takes time. Try setting up the home to make practice easier. Clear wide walkways, remove rugs or cords that could trip them, and create resting spots with chairs or cushions where they can sit and take breaks.

Practicing routes around the house—like to the bathroom, the kitchen, or their bedroom—can build both physical skill and mental readiness. Encourage them to take their time and problem-solve through everyday moments.

Play can help, too. Recreate their environment in a play setting with medical play support tools. Ask questions like, “How does your doll carry their school bag on crutches?” or “What if your action figure drops something?” These scenarios make real-world challenges easier to process before they happen.

Support Their Body and Their Feelings

Crutches change a lot about how a child moves through their day. They might need help carrying things, going up stairs, or even opening doors. It’s not just about movement—it’s about identity, too.

They may feel embarrassed about needing help, anxious about what friends will say, or frustrated by their slower pace. You can support both body and feelings by validating what they’re experiencing. Say things like, “It’s okay to be upset that this is hard. I would feel that way, too.” Then gently shift to a solution: “Want to make a plan together for recess tomorrow?”

Help them prepare emotionally for the questions they might get. Simple phrases can go a long way:

• “I’m using crutches because I’m healing.”
• “I can still do that—just slower right now.”
• “Wanna walk with me?”
  

Practicing these responses through role-play can help your child feel more confident when those questions come up in real life.

Make School Transitions Smoother

The school environment can be overwhelming even when a child is physically well. Add crutches, and you’re suddenly navigating stairs, long hallways, heavy backpacks, and time pressure.

Work with school staff to plan ahead. Ask about:

• Extra time between classes
• A buddy system for carrying supplies or navigating halls
• Use of elevators or room changes for accessibility
• A designated rest space if your child gets tired
  

It may also help to send a familiar toy or object with your child—a subtle anchor in a day that might feel very different. When that item has something like crutches too, it sends a message that the experience is not isolating or strange. It’s just one part of their story.

Prepare for Setbacks

There will be days when crutches feel like too much. Your child might trip, forget how to position them, or complain of sore hands or arms. Some frustration is inevitable.

What matters is your response. Stay calm and neutral during these moments. Remind your child that learning something new—especially something physically demanding—takes practice and patience.

Celebrate progress, even if it feels small. Maybe they mastered one stair, balanced while brushing teeth, or made it through half the school day without needing a break. These moments count.

If your child enjoys art or writing, invite them to journal or draw about their crutch experience. Ask prompts like: “What was hard today? What helped? What are you proud of?” This reflection gives them space to process without pressure.

Keep the Fun Alive

Crutches can feel restrictive, but they don’t have to put play and creativity on pause. Help your child find new ways to have fun and stay connected with friends.

Can they coach a sports team from the sideline? Write a comic strip about a superhero on crutches? Build an obstacle course they can complete seated? These changes don’t just keep life playful—they also help kids reconnect with their sense of agency.

Invite friends over for a crutch-decorating session. Fabric tape, stickers, and colored foam grips can turn a clinical device into something expressive and uniquely theirs. The same goes for their toy’s mobility gear. Creativity isn’t a detour—it’s part of healing.

Be Ready When It’s Time to Say Goodbye

Eventually, the crutches will go away. And that transition brings its own set of feelings. Relief, excitement, nervousness, even a little sadness—it’s all valid.

Some kids may want to keep the crutches as a reminder of what they went through. Others may use them in pretend play. This is a healthy sign that they’re working through the experience in a way that feels safe and creative.

If they’ve been using a toy with crutches, talk through that toy’s transition too. Maybe the toy helps someone else now. Maybe it still uses a crutch sometimes, just when needed. These stories help kids imagine future strength without erasing what they’ve overcome.

A Final Thought

Helping a child navigate crutch use isn’t just about keeping them upright. It’s about helping them feel empowered, emotionally supported, and still connected to their playful selves—even in the middle of challenge and change.

The toys and stories we offer—at home, at school, and in medical settings—shape how kids view themselves. When they see representation that looks like them, even once, it can shift the entire experience from one of burden to one of resilience.

That’s why we design our medical support play tools at The Butterfly Pig to include mobility aids that children can use on any toy they already love. It’s not just about play. It’s about reflecting real experiences and helping kids feel capable in their own story—crutches and all.