Click the equipment image for a purchase link idea, or find alternatives online or in the home
Scarves
Balloons
Plus balls
Bright foam balls
Rubber playground balls
Beach Balls
Sensory Balls
Small balls
Different-shaped balls
Rugby balls
Teddies
Cuddly Toys
Big scrunched-up newspaper ball
Children who struggle to catch are unable to track the ball. Activities in the Mini Movers app include activities specifically for eye tracking, such as rolling or catching scarves or balloons.
We can alter the equipment to make catching easier or harder to support children’s development. You can do this by changing the size of the ball – for example, a larger ball is easier to catch and a smaller ball is harder.
When you pass the ball to your child for them to catch, make sure that you pass the ball gently in an arc or rainbow shape towards the middle of the chest so that they can have more success and so more practices to get better…and have more fun!
Fluff balls and pompom balls
Objects that fit into children’s hands
Bean bags are great as they stop when thrown
As children develop they can throw small balls
Ensure they are easy to grip
These are better to use outdoors
Overarm – Hoop head height
Underarm – Hoop on the floor or spots on the floor
Big targets for lots of success
Rolled-up socks
Scrunched-up newspaper
Overarm target – Pictures on the wall
Underarm target – Towel/basket
Lots of the Mini Movers activities practice underarm and overarm throwing.
For throwing, equipment needs to be small to fit into children’s hands. As children develop, they can throw small balls.
It’s important that the targets are high or far away for overarm throwing, and on the floor for underarm throwing
Dice/Cubes
Deflated balls
Non-sting footballs
Beach balls
Cones
Goals
Hoops
Milk Carton
Teddies
Scrunched-up newspaper ball
As well as dribbling and kicking practice, activities in Mini Movers encourage balancing on one leg to help with kicking! As balance is a key skill needed for kicking and other sports and physical activity – see moving for sport page for more details.
Non-sting footballs
Beach balls
Dice/Cubes
Deflated balls
Cones
Goals
Hoops
Milk Carton
Teddies
Scrunched-up newspaper ball