Move & balance

Roll to a target

Roll a large soft ball toward a wide floor target and adjust distance, direction or force together.

10 minutes

What you'll need

Large soft ball · Purpose-made wide floor target or adult-inspected soft cardboard box

Before you start

Child can walk independently on a clear level surface

Best fit: either · active energy · medium caregiver effort · low mess

How to play

  1. Choose a comfortable seated position and place the target on a clear level floor.
  2. Roll from close by and watch the ball's path.
  3. Move the target only after asking what change might help.
Make it easier

Use a very wide target at close range.

Standard

Roll a large soft ball toward a wide floor target and adjust distance, direction or force together.

Extend it

Create two target zones or roll around one floor marker without adding competition.

What you might notice

Notice what the child changes after watching each roll.

Keep it safe

Use a large soft ball and a purpose-made target or clean soft cardboard box inspected by an adult with every staple, tie and damaged edge removed. Keep the target on a clear level floor, supervise nearby, and stop if it shifts or becomes damaged.

Why it may be useful

This adds a short burst of active play with room to practise balance, coordination and whole-body movement.

practice guidance

General movement guidance for healthy children; adapt for individual abilities and environments.

Truelove et al. (2017) — Defining and Measuring Active Play Among Young Children: A Systematic Review

Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (2026) — Recommendations for infants, toddlers and preschoolers (birth to 5 years)

Raising Children Network (2025) — Toddler play: ideas, games and activities

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