Backyard Baseball Fun

While the older kids are busy with baseball, introduce your little one to balls. Designate a sturdy container to be his "ball box" and collect a variety of balls to store here, such as rubber balls, plastic wiffle balls, foam balls, small rubber footballs, a soft-sided baseball, etc. Let your child play with the balls and encourage him to throw the balls to you as if he is a little pitcher. Simple but fun, roll a ball to your baby; he will enjoy sitting straddle-legged across from you as you roll the ball back and forth. Brothers and sisters can enjoy this game, too.

Play ball toss with baby's favorite blanket. Spread the blanket on the floor and place a rubber ball in the middle of the blanket. Show your little one how to hold onto two corners of the blanket while you hold onto the other two. Lift the blanket off the floor, toss the ball up in the air, and catch it with the blanket—you're likely to get giggles and grins when you play this game. End playtime with a fun verse you can teach to your child.

A little ball,
A bigger ball,
A great big ball I see!
Now let's count them.
Are you ready?
One, two, three!