Choosing Balls as Gifts for Preschoolers

by Kelly Pfeiffer

Balls make wonderful holiday gifts for preschoolers. A simple ball can encourage a preschooler to engage in fitness activities such as throwing, catching, kicking and running. But choosing the right kind of ball can make a difference in how often preschoolers play with balls and how much success a preschooler experiences during ball play.

Before purchasing balls as gifts for preschoolers, review the tips and guidelines below. Make sure that the ball you choose is an age appropriate gift for the active preschooler on your shopping list.

Balls Gifts for Preschoolers

Gertie Balls
"The most catchable ball in the world" is the slogan for Gertie Balls, a brand of balls that is made in a variety of textures and sizes. Perfect for preschoolers, Gertie Balls are small enough for little hands to grasp and manipulate. Gertie balls are sold with a straw for inflating the ball, so that adults can make the ball either softer or harder by varying the amount of air in the ball.

Oball Brand Balls
A ball shape full of holes for little fingers to grip through, Oballs claim to be “The Everybody ball”, appropriate for ages 1 month to 99 years. Oballs are not inflatable balls but are made of a hard, durable plastic shell. Because of its unique structure, an oball rolls on the floor a bit more slowly than a traditional ball, making it a great ball to roll back and forth with preschoolers. Oballs are available in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Beach Balls
Brightly colored beach balls are a soft choice to offer to preschoolers and are available in different colors and themes. Small beach balls are easiest for preschoolers to handle.

Plastic Play Balls
The most inexpensive type of ball available, plastic play balls are readily available in discount stores and drug stores. Although plastic play balls are very inexpensive, they aren’t very durable. After a short while, plastic play balls will lose shape and will not roll evenly on the ground.

Playground Balls
More durable than plastic play balls, playground balls are firm, made of rubber, are often textured on the surface and are ideal for outdoor ball play. Because playground balls are firm, they stand up to plenty of kicking and handling and will still roll evenly on the ground after long hours of play.

Tips to Help Preschoolers Experience Success with Ball Play

Roll a Ball on the Floor with Preschoolers
Many preschoolers haven’t mastered the coordination skills to throw and catch balls, but can be very successful at rolling a ball on the floor with another person. Start practicing ball skills with preschoolers by simply sitting on the floor and rolling a ball with them.

Underinflate Balls
If you purchase the type of ball that is inflated by adults, it can be helpful to slightly underinflate the ball to allow preschoolers to grasp the ball more easily.

Choose Appropriate Sized Balls
Regular sized basketballs and soccer balls are too big for preschoolers to handle successfully. Choose small balls that preschoolers can either hold in one hand comfortable or large balls that preschoolers can wrap their arms around and still see over the top of the ball.

Know the Age Difference Between Throwing and Catching
Preschoolers are able to throw a ball well long before they are able to catch a ball. When planning ball activities for preschoolers, keep this difference in mind.

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