Fitness Active Play How to Choose Age-Appropriate Balls for Children These games, activities, and toys help children build motor skills By Catherine Holecko facebook Catherine Holecko is an experienced freelance writer and editor who specializes in pregnancy, parenting, health and fitness. Learn about our editorial process Catherine Holecko Updated on May 09, 2019 Print Lilly Dong / The Image Bank / Getty Images Get on a roll by stocking your toy box with the best balls for children. Appealing, age-appropriate toys and sports equipment motivate your child to play actively and move her muscles, and balls are at the top of that list. They can be used in so many different games, activities, and sports, in pairs, groups, or solo. With balls of the right size, shape, and heft, children can master motor skills (like throwing, catching, kicking, and rolling). In turn, they build physical literacy and confidence. Plus, balls are inexpensive, colorful, and fun! Balls for Babies and Toddlers Little ones can build both small and large motor skills by exploring balls of different sizes and textures. Help your baby roll a ball back and forth or drop a ball onto the floor to see if they bounce. Make sure you're purchasing balls that are safe for kids under 3. Try: Soft, plush ballsBalls with a bell inside (these teach cause and effect)Textured rubber ballsInflatable beach balls (balloons are a choking hazard)Tennis ballsA ball pit (or make your own—buy a bunch 6- to 8-inch soft plastic balls, add to play yard or wading pool) Balls for Preschoolers Between ages 3 and 5, kids are beginning to master gross motor skills like kicking, throwing and catching. Large, lightweight balls are easier for them to manipulate. These kinds of balls will be less frustrating while young ones are learning. Many of them can be used indoors and out: Inflatable beach ballsRubber playground ballsLightweight plastic baseball or softball (with "fat bat" and tee; pictured)Foam ballsMini basketball and hoop, soccer ball and net, and other scaled-down sports equipment Gross Motor Skills Activities for Little Kids Balls for Grade-Schoolers By age 6, your child may be ready to try some real sports equipment, with appropriate safety gear, such as shin guards for soccer and a batting helmet for baseball. Or stick with scaled-down, lighter-weight kids' versions for a little longer, if necessary. Kids this age may enjoy playing ball games (from foursquare to kickball to badminton) with friends. Depending on your child's interests and space you have available, keep on hand: Playground ballsBaseballs/softballs and mitts; you might even consider a kids' pitching machineSoccer balls and a net (or improvise with traffic cones or cardboard boxes)Basketballs and a hoopFootballsTennis ballsFoam balls for indoor play (think Nerf)Inflatable beach balls or balloons Best Balls Middle Schoolers and Teens By this time, your kids' preferences are probably clear, and you're tripping over their balls of choice. For fun family ball games (if you have space), consider: Badminton or volleyball (you can use the same net)CroquetBlongo ball which is also called ladder golfTable tennisBasketballKickball—great for mixed-age groups, and very versatile Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get expert tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit