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The One-Leg Balance Test

Ages 5+ with an adult15 minutesMess: None
Grown-ups: please supervise this experiment the whole time. Read the safety notes first.

Time how long you can stand on one leg, first with your eyes open, then with them closed.

WOW FACT

Deep inside each ear is a balance organ filled with fluid. When your head moves, the fluid moves too, and tells your brain which way is up.

🧰 What you'll need

A timer or phone stopwatchFor timing each try.
✔ You probably have this
Paper and pencilTo write down results.
✔ You probably have this
A wall or sturdy chairTo grab if you wobble.
✔ You probably have this

✨ Want to go further? (optional)

Kids' balance boardFun balance practice to see if you improve over a week.
View on Amazon (amazon.co.uk)
Kids' human body science kitLearn how your eyes, ears and muscles work together.
View on Amazon (amazon.co.uk)
Children's human body bookFind out how your inner ear helps you balance.
View on Amazon (amazon.co.uk)

💛 We may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. We only suggest things we'd use ourselves. How this works.

What to do

  1. Stand next to a wall or sturdy chair you can grab if you wobble.
  2. Stand on one leg with your eyes open. A partner times how long you can stay up (stop at 60 seconds).
  3. Rest, then try again with your eyes closed.
  4. Repeat each test three times and write down the results.
  5. Compare: eyes open vs eyes closed. Which leg is better?
  6. Challenge: does anyone in the family improve after a week of practice?

What's going on?

Balance uses information from your eyes, from the inner ear, and from sensors in your muscles and joints. Take away your eyes and your body has less to go on, so most people wobble sooner. Doing three tries and comparing averages makes it a fairer test.

Safety notes