The kangaroo sex position seats one partner upright on a sturdy chair or bed edge while the other straddles their lap, face to face. The partner on top sets the pace and depth, the seated partner holds and steadies them, and you stay close enough to kiss the whole time. It takes a little balance, but the right setup does most of the work.
How to Do the Kangaroo Position Step by Step
- Pick a stable seat. A sturdy armless chair or the edge of a firm bed works best. Skip anything with wheels, a swivel or wobbly legs. Armrests get in the way of the top partner's knees.
- The seated partner settles in. Sit upright with your feet flat on the floor and your hips near the front of the seat so there's room on your lap. A chair back, headboard or wall behind you takes strain off your lower back.
- The top partner straddles. Face the seated partner and lower onto their lap with one leg on each side. On a chair, keep your feet flat on the floor. On a bed edge, you can kneel on the mattress on either side of their hips. Either way, your feet or knees carry part of your weight.
- Hold on and find a rhythm. The seated partner holds the top partner's hips or waist. The top partner holds their shoulders or the seat back. The top partner then rocks forward and back, or lifts slightly and lowers again. The seated partner can add small movements or just keep things steady. Start slowly and only build up once you both feel balanced.
- Come apart deliberately. Say you're stopping. The top partner shifts their weight onto their feet and stands up, using the seated partner's shoulders for support, before the seated partner gets up.
A quick run-through with clothes on shows whether the seat height and angle work before you try it for real.
Why the Kangaroo Position Works
It combines closeness with control from on top. Sitting chest to chest puts faces, hands and mouths within easy reach. Because the top partner's feet or knees are on a solid surface, they choose the depth, angle and speed, which makes it easy to stay with what feels good. The seated partner isn't lifting anyone because the seat carries your combined weight, so they can focus on holding, kissing and touching. There's also room between your bodies for a hand or a toy on the clitoris or other sensitive spots. It works with a penis, a strap-on, or no penetration at all if you'd rather grind.
Kangaroo Position Variations
Wrapped-legs kangaroo
The top partner wraps their legs around the seated partner's waist instead of bracing. It's the most "held" version, but with nothing to push against, the top partner loses leverage and the seated partner leads. It needs open hips and is easiest on a bed edge, where no chair back blocks the legs.
Reclined kangaroo
On the bed, the seated partner leans back against the headboard, with a pillow behind their lower back and legs stretched out or slightly bent. The top partner kneels astride them. There's almost no balancing involved, so it suits anyone whose back gets tired sitting upright.
Forward-leaning kangaroo
The top partner leans their chest onto the seated partner and puts more weight into their knees or feet. This changes the angle, keeps movements small and grinding, and gives a tired core a break.
Who the Kangaroo Position Suits and Who Should Skip It
It suits couples who want face-to-face intimacy and a top partner who likes to lead.
Take care, or choose something else, if:
- The top partner has knee or hip pain. Kneeling astride and wrapping your legs both ask a lot of these joints. The chair version with feet on the floor is gentler; if even that hurts, skip it.
- The seated partner has lower back problems. Use the reclined variation instead of sitting upright.
- You have a big height difference. Adjust the seat height, or swap chair for bed edge, until the top partner is supported as in step 3.
- Balance is the issue. The spooning position and the scissor position give you closeness lying down, with nothing to balance.
Comfort, Safety and Consent
Props: put a pillow behind the seated partner's lower back, a folded towel on a hard seat, and a cushion under the top partner's knees on the bed.
Listen to your body: the top partner's weight on the seated partner's thighs can cause numbness or tingling. Shift position when that happens, or when you feel any pulling in your back. Stop completely for sharp pain or dizziness.
Lube and protection: use plenty of lubricant, and use condoms or barriers if STIs are a concern.
Consent: talk about any worries, like balance or sore joints, beforehand. Agree on a stop word or a double tap on the shoulder. Either of you can use it at any time, and the other stops right away. Being face to face makes quick check-ins easy, so use them.
Kangaroo Position FAQ
Is the kangaroo position good for beginners?
Yes, the chair version with the top partner's feet on the floor is beginner-friendly. It needs no special flexibility and only a little balance, and one person controls the movement. Get comfortable with it before you try wrapped legs.
Can you do the kangaroo position during pregnancy?
Often yes, especially with the pregnant partner on top, since they control depth and nothing presses down on the belly. As the bump grows, leaning forward stops working, and the reclined variation on a bed is steadier than a chair. Skip it if your healthcare provider has advised against sex, and stop if you have pain, bleeding or cramping.
What if the kangaroo position hurts?
Stop and adjust: pain usually comes from going too deep, a tight hip angle or an unsupported back. To make penetration shallower, the top partner can lift slightly or lean forward. For sore hips, keep your feet on the floor, and for a sore back, switch to the reclined version. If the pain keeps coming back, see a doctor instead of pushing through it.
Is this the same as the crouched kangaroo or the lotus?
No: some guides use "kangaroo" for a crouching or squatting rear-entry posture, and this guide covers the seated, face-to-face version. The lotus is a close relative. The seated partner sits cross-legged on the floor or bed instead of on a chair, which asks more of the hips.
Can you use the kangaroo position for anal sex?
Yes, as long as you go slowly, use plenty of lubricant and let the receiving partner on top control depth. Leaning forward usually gives a more comfortable angle than sitting fully upright. Take your time warming up, and stop if anything hurts.
