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. 

Set up

This activity is great to do during tummy time 

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