Roll It Near, Roll It Far
Roll a ball back and forth, chase it through a tunnel, and watch it curve along the tunnel wall. Your baby can explore how one object travels through several kinds of space.
- 12 months
- Quick prep
- At home
- About 5 minutes
Developmental benefits
- Cognitive：Watching and following a ball that rolls in several directions gives your baby experience tracking movement through space.
- Movement：Crawling after the ball gives your baby a motivating reason to move through and explore the surrounding space.
Preparation
What You’ll Need
- 1
A small ball and a crawling tunnel
Step 1
Near and Far
Roll the ball toward your baby. After they catch it, invite them to send it away. Retrieve the ball and roll it back so the two of you create a simple back-and-forth game.
What to notice
- Watches the ball roll back and forth
Emergent Mathematical Thinking - Moves their body toward the ball and grasps it
Gross Motor
Tips
- Instead of always retrieving the ball yourself, invite your baby to crawl in the direction it rolled and chase it with you.
- Pair the motion with simple words: “The ball rolled near.” “The ball rolled far.”
Step 2
Find the Ball in the Tunnel
Roll the ball into the crawling tunnel and invite your baby to crawl in after it. From the other end, call, “It’s up ahead. Keep crawling.” If the search is fun, roll the ball back through the tunnel for another turn.
What to notice
- Crawls through the tunnel while searching for the ball Gross Motor
- Looks toward the ball when you say “ball”
Attending and Understanding
Tips
- The tunnel creates clear boundaries for experiencing inside and outside, front and back.
Step 3
Watch the Ball Curve
After crawling, try another version. Release the ball at one side of the tunnel opening so it curves down the inner wall and rolls back and forth. Repeat and see whether your baby can catch it before it stops.
What to notice
- Watches the ball’s path and reaches before it stops rolling Emergent Mathematical Thinking
- Releases the ball from different places in the tunnel and watches what happens
Exploration and Discovery
Tips
- Begin from a lower point on the tunnel wall so the ball travels slowly enough to follow.
- When your baby catches the ball, respond right away and celebrate the result.
Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026