Activity Ideas & Tips

1. Use balls with a variety of textures to encourage different sensory experiences. Let your child explore the feeling of these balls. Examples of balls with a variety of textures around the house may include: basketball, rubber “playground” ball, ping pong ball, soccer ball, tennis ball, softball/baseball, football, nubby ball, Koosh ball.

2. Roll a ball (of any variety) back and forth with your child. Sitting in just one spot is a great way to work on balance for very young children. For this activity, make sure to work with your child on keeping the ball on the ground. It is not uncommon for children to get excited and throw the ball instead.

3. Now it’s time to throw the ball! For working on throwing and catching balls, young children tend to have more success with larger balls. A beach ball (or slightly smaller ball) is perfect for younger children. As they grow older, you can work toward throwing and catching with smaller balls.

4. An extension of throwing balls is the activity “Knock Down a Tower.” You can build up a block tower, put empty plastic bottles around, or use some other easily knocked over object as a target for your child to throw toward. Children will typically be very excited for this new way to knock over objects. (If you have a “no throwing in the house” rule, you may want to do this activity outdoors as to not confuse your child when you encourage them to do something that is against the rules in your home.)

5. Solo Throw and Catch – You can model for your child how to (lightly) throw the ball in the air straight up and catch it. This is a harder skill for very young children – be prepared that the ball may go everywhere. This is great to try once your child has the hang of throwing and catching with a partner.

6. Work on kicking a ball (playground ball or larger) that is stationary. While it may be tempting to roll the ball to your child for them to kick it, definitely start with a ball at rest first.

7. Once they are pros at stationary kicking, move to rolling ball kicking. When beginning this, roll the ball very slowly. As their skills progress, so can the speed that you roll. As with any activity, it’s fun to reverse rolls and have your child try to roll the ball for you to kick it as well.

8. Textured Ball Fun – There is a lot of free play that can be done with any ball that is quite a bit different from your average ball. This could include balls like a Koosh ball, textured balls, nubby balls, and stress balls. While these activities are good for all children, this is especially good for children to experience who have displayed some sensory defensiveness

9. Rolling on a large exercise ball can be great fun for young children! Other balls that are similar to exercise balls might be (very sturdy) beach balls or very large playground type balls. Have your child lay their belly on the ball as you gently roll them from side to side. You can also try this with them sitting on the top of the ball as you bounce them. This is a great activity for working on spatial and vestibular skills.

10. Bowling with soda bottles – If you have empty bottles (such as two liter soda bottles), a ball can be combined with these to have some impromptu bowling right inside the house.

Best suited for 9-18month olds; their young minds will revel in stacking, toppling, and the discovery of endless ingenuity with these Tobbles. Six uniquely weighted pieces balance, neatly nest, and incessantly spin beyond your expectations.

Gratifying to hold in your hands, weighted to invite investigation, and likely to be swiped from your possession.

Little hands can’t get enough of the stacking, toppling, spinning, balancing, wobbling, tilting, and wiggling! Another welcome invitation to timeless play.

Tobbles

• Innovative creative play matched with modern design
• For sensory exploration, fine motor skills, coordination, visual spatial acuity
• Dynamic play potential - stack, topple, spin, balance, wobble, tilt, wiggle, roll
• Physics interplays with design perfection - Looks good, plays even better
• Dual-color, unique grippable texture, playful curves enliven tactile experiences
• Ideal for busy, curious children & beloved by playful adult