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How many different types of ball do you currently have available at home?
Balls are great for exploring with little hands because they are tactile ( tennis ball, nubby ball, smooth ball etc) Being able to hold, grasp and move a ball in your hand takes coordination of body, and visual skills. Then there’s the motor planning of moving it from hand to hand without dropping it. Anticipating and compensating for weight, Rolling it, catching, throwing and kicking it in the direction you want using the large muscles
Whatever the weather balls make a great toys because you can use them in different ways inside and outside. Kids love working with them and improving their skills. Try to have out at home different shapes, colours and sizes.
Current favourites in the house
1) the small very bouncy balls that work best on wood/tile surfaces. They play, how high can it bounce ( before we hit something)? How many bounces can we get with one big throw? ( 7 is our record) Who will catch the ball once we bounce it wildly?
2) Nobbie Gertie Ball
, rolling it to your partner, bowling it like a bowling ball and using your arm like a hockey bat whilst sitting on the floor opposite each other seeing if you can get it pass the other.
How do you use balls inside?
Looking for some new balls to try
I’m sure we all remember: Gymnic Hop Ball – Yellow – 45cm for Age 3-5
For more ball ideas try Fat brain toys or achievement products

Melitsa Avila is a former teacher, mother of three boys and military wife who talks about living an intentional play lifestyle using practical and everyday play activities to do with the under 5s. She publishes related ebooks & newsletters.
Melitsa is the host and producer of a weekly Early Childhood radio show: Raising Playful Tots bringing parents and carers together with Early childhood practitioners.
Thanks for reading!
Melitsa