Best for this moment
when your toddler needs to move and burn energy, especially when you need something flexible indoors or outdoors.
Soft Ball Kick-About
At a glance: Kick a soft ball back and forth for early coordination and big-body movement. A 7-minute, high-energy both activity for ages 12m–2y. No prep needed.
Place a lightweight ball on the ground and show your toddler how to kick it. At 12–24 months, kicking is a brand-new skill that requires standing on one leg momentarily — a significant balance challenge for early walkers. Don’t expect accuracy; the joy is in the attempt, the chase, and the satisfying feeling of their foot connecting with the ball. This works indoors with a soft ball or outside on grass.
Parent tip
Start before you overthink it. No-prep activities work best when you begin while the moment is still recoverable.
What success looks like
A good outcome is a few minutes of engaged play, some back-and-forth with you, and a small sign of progress in body awareness.
More help for this situation
Meltdowns and tantrums
Meltdown
Start with calm regulation, then move to a simple activity that helps the moment settle.
Read the meltdown guideInstructions
- Place a soft, lightweight ball on the ground
- Demonstrate a gentle kick: ‘Watch — I kick the ball!’
- Roll the ball to your child’s feet and encourage them to kick
- Chase the ball together after each kick
- Kick it back and forth between you
- Celebrate every attempt, even if they miss: ‘Great try!’
- Set up cushion goals for target practice
- Try outside on grass where there’s more space to chase
Why it helps
Kicking a ball requires momentary single-leg balance, which challenges and develops the vestibular and proprioceptive systems. It builds leg strength in a different pattern from walking — a swinging motion rather than a stepping one — and the turn-taking involved plants the seeds of early social skills.
Variations
- Use a balloon instead for slower movement that’s easier to track.
- Set up two cushions as a ‘goal’ and take turns kicking towards it.
- Try kicking while holding a parent’s hand for extra balance support.
Safety tips
- Use a soft, lightweight ball that won’t hurt feet or furniture.
- Play in a clear space away from breakable items.
- On hard floors, ensure your child is wearing non-slip socks or soft shoes.
When to pause and seek extra support
Stop if your child becomes distressed, unsafe, or consistently frustrated by the activity. If play, behaviour, or development worries keep showing up across settings, check in with a qualified professional.
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