The 10 Best Activity Balls
This wiki has been updated 16 times since it was first published in January of 2020. No matter what stage of development children are in, activity balls can contribute to their progress. Not only do they keep them entertained for hours, but they may also advance hand-eye coordination and improve fine and gross motor skills. Some toys even provide visual and auditory stimulation. These options are designed for children from infancy to the age of three. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. The Galt
2. Salamandra Kids Interactive
3. Edushape Rainbow Soft Ball
Editor's Notes
March 15, 2020:
According to the American Association of Pediatrics, hands-on toys help feed the imagination and assist in healthy development. Activity balls not only keep kids engaged for hours, but also provide a safe way for them to experiment with concepts that will help to develop their creativity, natural talents, emotional capacity, and intellectual aptitude.
Remember to consult with your child's pediatrician when selecting toys for your child. That said, look for activity balls that match your kid's developmental stage, provide opportunities for growth, and support interaction between the parent and child. It doesn't matter if a child plays while laying on the back, during tummy time, crawling, or walking, holding, squeezing the activity balls provide a fun way for kids to improve a host of skills.
Since newborns haven't formed a grip, they need someone to hold objects for them. Balls that make sounds like the Battat B Make It Chime help increase spatial awareness and improve hand-eye coordination, which helps them navigate their environment when they learn to crawl.
Generally, infants begin to notice shapes before they recognize color, and as they gain the ability to grab things, the Sassy Development Bumpy ball and the Sophie La Giraffe So Pure Senso lets them explore different textures. When they reach the six-month mark, colorful activity balls like the Salamandra Kids Interactive and the Galt provide ample visual stimuli.
Activity balls that talk and play music pave the way for children to learn language. That's why children of all ages enjoy the VTech Wiggle and Crawl. If you're looking for a toy that will last through the toddler stage, the Edushape Rainbow Soft Ball and The Galt promise to provide years of fun.
The activity balls selected for this list not only have a soft edge, but they are also too big for kids to swallow, but small for them to manipulate with their hands.
Special Honors
Lakeshore Learning Easy Catch Ball Lakeshore Learning makes educational toys for children of all ages. Made of neoprene rubber, the Easy Catch Ball has large gaps, which makes it easy to grab and throw. You can also put small toys inside to add to the fun and help tots build fine motor skills as they try to remove objects from the core. The ball measures nearly eight inches in diameter and is designed for kids between three and six years old. lakeshorelearning.com
4. Sophie La Giraffe So Pure Senso
5. VTech Wiggle and Crawl
6. Sassy Development Bumpy
7. Bright Starts Clack and Slide
8. Baby Einstein Roller Pillar
9. Battat B Make It Chime
10. Baby Einstein Bendy
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.