Playing with Balls - Babies

This activity is great for introducing balls to babies, helping develop hand-eye coordination, gross and fine motor skills, spatial awareness, grasping skills and problem-solving. Ball play should be started once babies can lift their head in tummy time or or are starting to reach and grasp objects.
How to play
Step 1
- Place small, soft balls or beanbags just out of reach for the baby to stretch and grasp
Step 2
- Roll balls of different shapes and sizes around as well, encouraging the baby to do the same
Step 3
- If the child is engaging with balls/ beanbags well, you can introduce balloons and tap them in the air, encouraging the baby to do the same
Step 4
- When babies can sit up, sit opposite with legs apart in a 'Y' shape and roll the ball between you
- Try rolling the ball and then crawling after it with baby, see if they will copy
Step 5
- Try role modelling different actions with the ball for the baby to copy:
- move ball hand to hand
- throw ball in the air
- roll the ball against a wall and watch it come back
Activity information
Age: 0-12 months, 1-2 years
Participants: 1
+
Equipment: Balls, Beanbags (optional)
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Physical literacy tips
- Educator can copy the movements the baby does
- Let the baby explore a range of different balls and bean bags, of different sizes and textures