The best toys are ones that can be played with over and over again and can be used in a variety of ways! Learning through play is easy when you have simple toys that can be adapted for children of all ages. Read on to find some fun ball activities to try at home or during in-person or teletherapy sessions.

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One simple toy that can do so much!

There’s something powerful and magical about balls. Kids love them and they work on so many great developmental skills.

My second son’s first word was ball….not mama, not dada…ball!

He’s still obsessed with all games that include balls even now at the age of 6.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, the best toys are ones that allow your child’s imagination to run wild and that will grow with your child at every age and stage of development. I can’t think of a better toy than a ball to do just this!

As an Occupational Therapist, a variety of textured and sized balls are a must-have for my therapy sessions with children of every age.

Ball activities for babies

Babies are learning about the world and their place in it.

They explore everything with their senses..looking, touching, tasting, smelling, hearing.

Look for balls that will engage your child’s senses. Think balls of different sizes, shapes, colors, textures, light-up balls, balls that make sounds.

These are a few of my favorite balls for babies:

Oball Classic ball

Infantino Textured Multi Ball Set

Toddler Move and Shake Ball

How to engage your baby with ball play

• Allow babies to explore with their hands, feet, mouth (make sure you choose toys that are safe to chew).

• Roll the ball back and forth on the floor.

• For older babies, hide the ball under a blanket and see if your baby will move to try to find it.

• Hold the ball 8-12 inches from babies face and move slowly up/down/right/left and in circles to see if your baby can follow the ball with their eyes.

• Roll a textured ball on baby’s arms, legs, back, hands, and feet for sensory input.

More ball activities to try with baby

Ball activities for Toddlers

Toddlers are exploring their world on 2 feet and refining their coordination and sensory systems.

Ball activities that focus on improving a toddler’s eye-hand/foot coordination, strength, balance and attention work well for this group.

Typically, it is challenging to focus toddlers on adult-directed games, so model some new activities but then follow your child’s lead!

Play will be more fun for both of you if you don’t force your ideas onto your child.

How to engage Toddlers with Ball play

• Practice throwing and catching (A larger ball like a beach ball is best at this age)

• If the ball is too challenging to catch, try a balloon.

• Practice kicking back and forth

• Practice following 1-step directions (ie. put the ball on your head, belly, etc.)

• Play ball hide and seek (inside or outside)

More ball activities to try with Toddlers

Ball activities for preschoolers

Preschoolers are starting to follow more simple directions and learn some basic rules to games. They are continuing to refine their coordination, balance, and body awareness and are now interacting more with their peers.

How to engage preschoolers in ball play

• Simple games like monkey in the middle and ball tag (just like tag but holding a ball).

• Games that involve knocking down targets with a ball or throwing balls into a target

• Pair ball games with learning. Pick a category (ie. animals) and throw the ball back and forth while you each name an animal. You can also do this will letter sounds, simple math, etc.

More ball activities for preschoolers

Ball activities for elementary children

For older children, it’s all about continuing to learn through play and gaining more strength, coordination, speed, and timing.

If your child is interested in sports, now is the time to start searching for community leagues (or some neighborhood children) to support your child in his or her favorite ball sport.

If your child is not interested in ball sports here are some alternatives:

• Minute to win it games. There are several listed in this post using ping pong balls.

• Juggling

• Jacks

• Have them make up challenges with a ball (ie. throw the ball in the air and clap 2 times before catching).

More ball activities for elementary children

I hope you found at least one new activity to try with your child this week. Let me know which one is your child’s favorite!

If you found this post helpful, check out these other posts:

Play to Learn: 30 Block activities kids will love

Play to Learn: Things that go!

Play to Learn: Water activities for kids

73 Backyard activities to keep kids busy all summer + FREE PRINTABLE!

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