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Requirements
• Indoor space free of obstacles and valuable breakables such as lamps, pictures and plants
• Large round balloon
• Empty cardboard tube from wrapping paper
Instructions
- Inflate the balloon until it is relatively hard.
- Show your toddler how to hit the balloon around the room with the cardboard tube.
- Allow your toddler to have fun hitting the balloon around the room in any manner they like.TIP: You don’t need to “coach” any batting or hitting technique.
Variations
• If you have two cardboard tubes, try to take turns hitting the balloon to each other while keeping the balloon in the air.
Benefits
This activity develops hand-eye coordination and timing while using a simple bat (i.e., striking tool). These skills also transfer to striking with a racquet or stick.