Bounce, Throw, Kick, Roll: The Best Balls for Kids

Check out some of our recommendations for the best balls for kids to learn how to throw, catch, kick, and more!

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As a pediatric physical therapist, I often work with kids on teaching kids how to catch a ball, as well as throwing and kicking.

Did you know that, as pediatric physical therapists, we begin observing and assessing a child’s ball skills around the age of 12 months?   At only one year of age, some little ones can sit facing you with their legs apart and corral a ball that is rolled to them.  This back and forth game of rolling catch quickly progresses from rolling to throwing the ball to eventually kicking the ball back and forth.

Sometimes kids are super excited to practice their ball skills and other kids are a bit more reluctant because they get frustrated by the challenge.

To keep things interesting and to entice kids to participate, I like to make sure I have a variety of different balls for kids in my therapy bag at all times.  Below you’ll find some of the best throwing balls, the best balls to play catch with, and the best balls for toddlers all the way up to teenagers.

We use these in our therapy practice as well as with our kids at The Treehouse during our developmental play groups.

The Best Balls for Kids

Phlat Ball  ||  This was one of the first balls I purchased when I started my pediatric physical therapy practice.  It starts as a disc when it is thrown and you catch it as a ball.  Cool, right?  Major hand-eye coordination required to catch this sucker!   I like to change it up by having kids practice standing on one foot by placing one foot on top of the ball and then, at the count of five, stepping down to flatten the ball to a disc  — motivation and instant gratification!

Flashing Spiky Ball  ||  Squeeze them, bounce them, roll them or just feel them!  These spiky balls are fun to touch and they even light up!  We like to try to toss them back and forth and see how many times we can do it before the light goes off!  What will you come up with?

Hearthsong GBOP Inflatable Ball ||  UMMMM, can we get this in an adult size, please?  This ball is just plain fun for racing, running, or rolling.  Enough said!  

Sports Time Hands-On Training Basketball ||  This ball was part of our 10 Days to Shooting a Basket post a few weeks ago.  It is a wonderful way to teach a new ball player the placement of her hands in order to achieve the perfect shot!   It works for both left and right handed kids and an activity guide is included!

Ogo Balls Set ||  Colorful and fun, Ogo balls are perfect for a variety of active play both indoors and out!  Kids will love them because of their creative designs.

Pass Back Football || This cool football is perfect for kids who love to play catch…and parents who are tired of playing catch! Kids can find a flat surface to bounce the football off of and they’ll have a blast playing catch on their own for hours!

Light Touch Volleyball  ||  My daughter LOVES to play volleyball but HATES the “stingy” arms that go along with learning the sport.  Enter this amazing volleyball.  The fabric cover minimizes the ouch and it’s even waterproof, making it another perfect choice for our round-up of awesome balls for kids!

Hopper Ball ||  Besides being a big ball of fun, the Hopper Ball comes in sizes that are appropriate for kids ages 3-13+.  WHAT?!?!  Crazy fun for teens, too?  This is a modern day Hippity Hop that will encourage vestibular input and requires a ton of core strength to stay on while racing across the yard with friends.

Design Your Own Soccer Ball Kit ||  What kiddo wouldn’t love the experience of creating their own unique soccer ball to take to practice or to practice their kicking skills around the yard?  What a cool gift, too!!

Edushape Sensory Ball  ||  Babies need lots of sensory experiences when they are working on their tummy time or just learning to sit.  These balls are perfect for providing tactile and visual input while being durable, colorful and just the right size for your little one!

Glow in the Dark Soccer Ball || This one is a favorite during the summer months when kids are kicking a ball around outside at night! It also comes in a glow in the dark basketball option!