Jumping and Ball Play
Jumping and Ball Play at Home: Easy Activities for Your Child
Build your child's jumping and ball play at home with short, joyful games — two-footed jumps over cushions, rolling and catching soft balls, kicking towards a goal. Keep it playful, praise effort, and stop while it's still fun. If progress stalls, a clinician can help.
Every wobbly jump and rolled ball is your child's body learning to trust itself — and your living room is the perfect training ground.
In short
Jumping and ball play build the big-muscle (gross motor) skills, balance, timing and coordination your child needs for play, sport and confidence. You can grow these at home with short, joyful games using cushions, soft balls and a little space — no special equipment needed. Keep sessions playful and brief, follow your child's lead, and celebrate effort over outcome.Easy home activities to try
For jumping- Start with two-footed jumps holding both your hands, then let go as confidence grows.
- Jump over a flat ribbon or pillow on the floor, then off a low, safe step onto a cushion.
- Play "jump like a frog," "hop like a bunny," or jump to pop bubbles — animals and games make it fun.
- Draw chalk circles or lay flat mats and call out where to jump next.
For ball play
- Sit facing each other and roll a large soft ball back and forth — this teaches tracking and timing.
- Progress to gentle two-handed catches with a light, slightly deflated ball that's easy to grip.
- Kick a ball towards a "goal" of two cushions; aiming builds coordination.
- Knock down stacked cups or empty bottles by throwing — great for arm strength and aim.
Make it work
- Keep it short (5–10 minutes) and stop while it's still fun.
- Praise the try, not just the success — "You jumped so high!"
- Use soft, child-safe balls indoors and clear the space of hard edges.
The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care — home play is for nurturing, not assessing. If your child finds jumping and ball play much harder than other children their age, or it isn't progressing with practice, our team can help. Our occupational therapy and physiotherapy experts grow gross motor skills through play, and the AbilityScore® gives a clear, clinician-led picture of your child's strengths across every area of development.Trusted sources
Guided by child-development milestone resources from the CDC's "Learn the Signs. Act Early." programme, the American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren guidance on active play, and WHO nurturing-care principles for early childhood movement and learning.Next step — try one jumping game and one ball game today, and if you'd like a clinician to map your child's motor skills, book an AbilityScore® assessment at your nearest Pinnacle Blooms Network centre.
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 whether skills grow with practice over a few weeks. If your child still cannot jump with both feet, struggles to roll or catch a soft ball well below other children their age, or avoids active play altogether, a developmental check is worthwhile.
Try this at home
Turn tidy-up into ball play: toss soft toys into a basket together, calling out a cheer for every one that lands in — strength, aim and giggles all in one.
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
At what age can my child usually jump with both feet?
Many children begin jumping with both feet off the ground between about 2 and 2.5 years, and catch a large ball with two hands a little later. Children vary widely, so focus on steady progress with play rather than exact dates. If you're unsure, a developmental check can reassure you.
What kind of ball is best for home play?
Start with a large, lightweight, soft ball that's easy to grip and won't hurt if it bumps a face — a slightly deflated one moves slowly and is easier to catch. As skills grow, you can try smaller or faster balls.
My child seems clumsy and avoids jumping. Should I worry?
Many children take time to gain confidence, and gentle daily practice usually helps. But if movement seems much harder than for other children the same age, or isn't improving over a few weeks, it's worth a clinician's check — early support is gentle and effective.