Ball Games for Toddlers: Rolling, Kicking and Throwing

Give a toddler a ball and watch what happens. They chase it, drop it, sit on it, throw it the wrong way and laugh their heads off. It looks like chaos, but there is a lot of learning going on. Simple ball games for toddlers build the coordination, balance and timing that later turn into catching, kicking and riding a bike. Best of all, they need nothing more than a soft ball and a bit of floor or grass.

I coach busy parents in Archway, and lots of them have one- to three-year-olds at home. Here are the ball games I suggest most, set out by skill, with tips for keeping them short and fun.

What toddlers can (and cannot) do with a ball

Knowing roughly what to expect stops frustration on both sides. Every child is different, but as a general guide:

• Around 12 to 18 months: rolling a ball back and forth while sitting, dropping a ball into a box, chasing a rolling ball while crawling or toddling.
• Around 18 months to 2 years: throwing underarm (often in a random direction), walking into a ball to “kick” it, carrying a big ball with two hands.
• Around 2 to 3 years: kicking with intent, throwing overarm, trapping a big ball against their chest to catch it.

Catching a small ball is genuinely hard and often does not click until 3 or later. So start with rolling and big, soft, slow balls, and celebrate effort, not accuracy.

Best balls for toddlers

• Large, soft, lightweight balls (beach balls, foam balls, soft play balls) for catching and carrying.
• Textured sensory balls that are easy for small hands to grip.
• A slightly under-inflated football for kicking, so it does not fly off.
• Balloons for indoor “catching”, always supervised, and pop and bin any burst pieces straight away as they are a choking risk.

Rolling games (from about 12 months)

Sit and roll

Sit facing each other on the floor with legs in a V shape, so your legs make a “fence”. Roll the ball gently to your toddler and encourage them to push it back. Count each roll. This is the very first game of catch.

Ball down the tunnel

Make a tunnel with a cardboard box or a cushion arch. Your toddler rolls the ball through and crawls after it. Brilliant for crawling strength and shoulders.

Skittles

Line up 3 plastic bottles or stacking cups. Your toddler rolls a ball to knock them down. Stand them back up and go again. Move them a step further away each time they hit.

Kicking games (from about 18 months)

Walk and kick

Put a big soft ball on the floor and let your toddler walk into it. As they get steadier, show them how to swing a leg. Hold their hand at first for balance.

Goal!

Turn a laundry basket on its side as a goal. Your toddler kicks, you cheer loudly. Swap so they are the “goalkeeper” stopping your gentle kicks with their hands.

Follow the ball

Kick the ball a couple of metres across the park and race to it together. Your toddler gets a burst of running and you get some movement too.

Throwing games (from about 18 months to 2 years)

Ball in the bucket

Place a bucket or basket close by and let them drop or throw balls in. Count them out loud. Move the bucket back a step when they are ready.

Throw and fetch

Your toddler throws the ball as far as they can, then you both run to fetch it. They love the running as much as the throwing.

Big ball hug catch

From very close, gently toss a beach ball so it lands in their arms. Teach “arms out, then hug”. Toddlers usually catch with their chest first, which is fine.

A 10-minute toddler ball session

Short and sweet works best. Try this indoors or at the park:

1. 2 minutes: sit and roll, counting together.
2. 2 minutes: skittles, three goes.
3. 2 minutes: walk and kick, with a run to fetch the ball.
4. 2 minutes: ball in the bucket.
5. 2 minutes: big ball hug catch, then a cuddle and a drink.

If they wander off after 4 minutes, that is normal. Follow their lead and come back later. The NHS physical activity guidelines for under-5s suggest at least 180 minutes of activity spread across the day for children aged 1 to 5, and short bursts like this all count.

Where to play ball games for toddlers near Archway

A flat patch of grass is ideal: it is soft to fall on and slows the ball down. My guide to playgrounds near Archway and Highgate lists good spots with space to kick a ball nearby. On rainy days, a hallway is perfect for rolling games. You will find more indoor ideas in indoor activities for toddlers, and when your child is a bit older, move on to hand-eye coordination games.

What about you?

Toddler games involve a lot of kneeling, crouching, getting up and down off the floor, and bending to pick up balls. Many parents tell me their knees, hips and lower back feel it. In my SYP Unlock hip and back mobility class, we practise getting down to the floor and back up with ease, which makes playing with little ones far more comfortable.

FAQs

When should a toddler be able to catch a ball?

Many children start trapping a large ball against their chest between 2 and 3, and catching a smaller ball with their hands a bit later. It varies a lot. If you have concerns about your child’s development, talk to your health visitor or GP.

What size ball is best for a 1-year-old?

A large, soft, light ball that they can hold with two hands, roughly the size of a beach ball or a soft football. It should be too big to fit in their mouth.

My toddler only wants to throw the ball away, not back. Is that OK?

Completely normal. Throwing and chasing is a great game in itself. Turn it into “throw and fetch” and they get even more exercise.

Are ball games good for toddler development?

Yes. Rolling, kicking and throwing help develop coordination, balance and timing, and playing together encourages turn-taking and language, especially if you count and name things as you go.

Book your first class

Chasing a toddler around all day is tiring. Getting stronger makes it easier. SYP Bootcamp is a 45-minute small-group class for mums and dads in a church hall in Archway N19, with a maximum of 10 people and easier or harder options for every move. It is £15 a class, and the timetable comes when you book. Book my £15 class, or call or WhatsApp 07301 512215. Mums who would like a one-to-one plan built around life with a little one can look at personal training for women in Archway.

About the author

Artem Olekhnovych is a personal trainer in Archway and the founder of SYP Fitness and SYP Bootcamp. He has coached clients in Archway, Highgate and across North London for over 10 years, and runs small-group bootcamp classes for busy mums and dads. Read reviews from his 1-1 clients.