Toddler Playtime with a Ball
It takes two (or more) people to play catch. And one of the best ways to bond with your child is to play together. You and your child can both learn a lot from spending time with each other.
- Audience
- Caregiver
- Subject
- Open-Ended Play
- Age
- Toddler
- Languages
- EnglishHaitian CreoleSpanish
Play is a natural way to support the parent-child bond. Try engaging your toddler in playtime with a ball!
Get ready
Clear some space on the floor. Look around and put away anything that might break if a ball hits it. Sit down with your child and say, “Let’s play!”
Try this!
Passing Game
Sit on the floor facing your child. Make a “V” with your legs, and help your child do the same. Touch your feet to your child’s feet to make a diamond. Roll the ball slowly to your child. Say, “I pass the ball to you. Now you pass it to me.” Try going faster.
Ball Toss
Put an empty container, like a cardboard box or laundry basket, on the floor. Give your child different kinds of balls to put in or toss in. “Throw the ball into the basket!” Tossing balls into something is hard for toddlers. When your child misses, say, “Oops! Try again!”
Try Catching
Invite your child to try catching. Toss a ball gently to your child and say, “Catch the ball!” They will probably miss the ball because catching takes lots of practice. Encourage them to get the ball and try tossing it back to you.
Safety tip!You can do any of these activities outside. Just be sure to find a safe place where the balls cannot roll into the road.
Use pieces of paper, aluminum foil, and socks to make more balls. The more different types of balls you have, the more fun it will be!
While you play...
Watch carefully. When you child misses the ball, what do they do? Do they laugh or do they get upset? Learning new skills, like catching a ball, can be exciting and frustrating. Both of these feelings are okay for your child to have.
Practice together. When you child misses the ball or throws it far away from you, what do you do? Do you get upset? Your child learns by watching you. Take a deep breath and smile—making mistakes is how both you and your child learn.
Say, "Yay!" Focus Focus on having fun together. Did your child get most of the balls in the box? Did they almost catch the ball? “Well done! You are working so hard! Let’s try again together.”
Related Resources
CaregiverActivityToddler Playtime with a Stuffed Animal
You show your child you care when you play with them, make them lunch, put a band-aid on for them, and say “I love you.” Your child notices your caring actions and practices them too.
CaregiverActivityToddler Playtime with Scarves
Having a good time together helps make your relationship with your child stronger. Be silly—you can wear a scarf as a hat or do funny dances. Take turns. Make mistakes together. And laugh a lot!
CaregiverActivityToddler Playtime with Lots of Toys
Sometimes you might be too tired or too busy to play. Other times your child might not want to play with you. That’s okay. Just being together while you each do your own thing shows that you care about your child. And doing things on their own is part of growing up!
CaregiverActivityToddler Playtime with Cups
Children can do so many different things with cups. A good way to connect with your child is to focus on what they are doing and what they are interested in. Watch their play. Point at what they are doing. And talk together—even before they have lots of words.
CaregiverActivityPreschooler Playtime with a Stuffed Animal
Giving your child time on their own is important for both of you. Your child might want to play with or talk to their stuffed animal—and not you. That’s okay! Watch, wait, and listen. Be ready when it is your turn to play again.
CaregiverActivityInfant Playtime with a Stuffed Animal
You are the first person your baby connects with. Some babies take a long time to feel comfortable with others. A stuffed animal is a nice first friend that you and your baby can play with together.
CaregiverActivityPreschooler Playtime with Scarves
Sometimes you and your child might want to run. Other times you might need quiet moments together. Scarves are great for both types of play. Having a good time together helps make your relationship with your child stronger.
CaregiverActivityInfant Playtime with Scarves
Playtime can often be exciting, but it is important to have calmer ways to play too. You can use scarves for both types of play. If your baby has a lot of energy, play with the scarves with lots of movement. If your child is just waking up or getting tired, play with the scarves more gently.