Therapy Ball Activities

• Ball Taps

  • Lying on the tummy on the floor, ask the child to lift their arms and elbows up from the floor and hold this position.
    
  • Push a ball (therapy ball or football) towards the child and ask him/her to bat the ball away using both hands.
    
  • Alternate between pushing the ball away from each side. This will ensure the child holds an extended posture and rotates to bat the ball.
  • Repeat at least 10 times or until the child tires.

  

• Ball Kicks

  • Start with the child laying on their back and propping on elbows. Ask them to tuck their knees into the chest.
    
  • Roll or throw a ball (therapy or football) toward the child and ask them to kick it back using both feet together.
    
  • Repeat at least 10 times or until the child tires.
    
  • Once this is easy for the child, progress to kicking the ball with alternate feet, one at a time.

• Ball Walk Outs

  • Start with the child kneeling in front of the ball. They can then roll forward over the ball, placing their hands on the floor.
    
  • Ask them to walk forward using their hands until their knees are resting over the ball.
    
  • Hold this position for 10 seconds and repeat 10 times.
    
  • Make sure the legs are together and straight; the arms are straight and positioned under the shoulders.

• Ball Roll Ups

  • Start in the ball walk out position.
  • The child then tucks his/her knees towards their chest and holds this position for 10 seconds.
    
  • Return to the starting position and repeat 10 times.

  

• Alternate Claps

  • Ask the child to kneel in front of the ball and walk forward until their knees are on the ball.
    
  • Ensure their body is in a stable position (i.e. legs together, trunk straight with tummy muscles tucked in and head in neutral
    position).
    
  • Ask the child to reach their right arm forward to clap an item or position your hand in front of their left hand and ask them to clap it.
    
  • Repeat with their left hand.
    
  • Alternate hands for 10 claps.
    
  • Repeat the sequence 3-5 times.

  

• Alternate Ball Kicks

  • Start with the child laying with their back on the floor, approximately 3 feet from a wall with a therapy ball in front of them.
    
  • Ask them to lift their head and shoulders up, ensuring they look at the therapy ball.
    
  • Using both legs lift the therapy ball up.
    
  • Ask them to throw the ball at the wall and catch it upon return.
    
  • Repeat 10 times.
    
  • Aim to complete 10 repetitions consecutively with their head and shoulder remaining raised.

  

• Side Dives

  Start with the child sitting on the ball.
  

  • Ask them to lift both their hands up in the air.
    
  • Ask the child to rotate or reach around to touch the floor on one side, sit up on the ball and then reach to touch the other side.
    
  • Encourage them to reach as far as they can (i.e. more than 90 degrees on each side) to touch the floor.
    
  • Repeat 10 times.

• Ball Balance

  • Ask the child to stand next to the ball.
  • They then climb onto the ball using their hands and knees.
    
  • They may need support to find their balance.
    
  • Aim to hold for 10 seconds.

  

• Therapy Ball Reach

• Flying Pose Toe Taps