Catching Drills
Catching Drills at Home: A Parent's Activity Guide
Catching drills build hand-eye coordination and timing. Start with big, slow objects close up — rolling balls, balloons and bubbles — then gradually use smaller, faster balls at greater distance as your child succeeds. Keep sessions short, playful and praise-rich.
Catching is more than a game — it is your child's eyes, hands and brain learning to work as one team.
In short
Catching drills build hand-eye coordination, timing and bilateral control — skills that also support writing, dressing and play. At home, start big, slow and close, then gradually make the ball smaller, faster or further away as your child succeeds. Ten cheerful minutes a day beats one long, frustrating session.Easy catching drills you can do at home
Work through these in order — only move up when your child is happily succeeding most of the time.1. Roll and return (warm-up)
- Sit on the floor facing each other, legs apart.
- Roll a large ball back and forth. This teaches tracking and "my turn / your turn" timing before catching is added.
2. Big-balloon catch
- Balloons fall slowly, giving your child time to react.
- Stand close, toss gently to their chest, and cheer every catch — even messy ones.
3. Bubble pop
- Blow bubbles and ask your child to clap or catch them.
- This sharpens visual tracking and reaching without the fear of being hit.
4. Two-hand chest catch
- Use a soft, medium ball. Tell them "hands like a basket" and aim for the chest.
- Stand an arm's length away first, then take one step back as they improve.
5. Bounce catch
- Bounce the ball to them — a bounce slows it down and is easier than a direct throw.
Make it easier or harder
- Easier: bigger, slower ball; stand closer; say "ready... catch!" to cue timing.
- Harder: smaller ball; more distance; surprise tosses; catch with one hand.
Keep it playful and praise effort, not just success. Stop while it is still fun.
The Pinnacle way
If catching, balance or coordination feel harder than you'd expect for your child's age, our therapists can help with a structured plan — see occupational therapy and these catching drills. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an app or a home checklist.Trusted sources
Guidance here is consistent with developmental-milestone and active-play advice from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren resources on motor coordination and play.Next step — if you'd like a therapist to check your child's motor coordination and build a home plan, book a developmental assessment with Pinnacle Blooms Network on WhatsApp: +91 91001 81181.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
Watch how your child tracks a moving object with their eyes, reaches with both hands together, and times the close of their hands. Difficulty far beyond same-age peers, or avoiding catching due to frustration or clumsiness, is worth raising at a developmental check.
Try this at home
Say a clear cue — "ready... catch!" — just before you toss. The rhythm helps your child's brain prepare their hands in time.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-11 · reviewed every 365 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
What age can my child start catching practice?
Most children begin catching large, slow objects like balloons or a rolled ball from around 2–3 years, and catch a bounced or gently tossed ball with two hands by about 4. Every child develops at their own pace, so start where your child succeeds and build up gently.
My child keeps missing the ball — am I doing it wrong?
Not at all. Misses are part of learning. Make it easier by using a bigger, slower object like a balloon, standing closer, and giving a verbal cue before you toss. Celebrate effort, keep sessions short, and the catches will come.
How long should each catching session be?
Ten cheerful minutes a day is plenty for young children. Short, frequent, fun practice builds skill far better than one long session that ends in frustration. Stop while your child is still enjoying it.