Kick It Back to Me
Kick It Back to Me is an active gross motor activity for toddlers aged 22–36 months (corrected age). You and your child stand a few steps apart and kick a big soft ball back and forth, taking turns and stopping a ball that comes toward them. It takes 5–10 minutes, needs no prep and works outdoors.
Updated
Kick It Back to Me
You and your child stand a few steps apart and kick a big soft ball back and forth, taking turns and stopping a ball that comes toward them.
- Ages (corrected)
- 22–36 months
- Time
- 5–10 min
- Prep
- No prep
- Where
- Outdoors · Active
You need
- a large, light soft ball
Steps
- Stand three steps away from your child on grass and hold the ball up: "My turn!"
- Kick it gently so it rolls slowly to their feet.
- Say "Your turn, kick it back!" and wait.
- Respond to any kick in your direction with a big "Thank you!" and kick it back again.
Safety first
- Play on a flat, fenced or enclosed area away from roads, with a soft ball that does not hurt if it hits a face.
No level picked yet. The 0–4 scale is a learning log, not a test.
Not yet: show it once, then let them explore
Watch for the first sign: stops the ball with a foot before kicking.
Not yet is information, not a verdict. Do it once yourself while they watch, pause, and offer it again in a few days.
Simplify one step
Next time: sit facing each other and roll the ball instead of kicking, then try one kick at the end.
Give the least help that works: wait first, then point or show, and guide hands only briefly.
Repeat the same version and fade your help
As you step back, watch for: kicks toward you rather than in any direction.
Pause a few seconds longer before you model, and swap showing it for a point or a gesture.
Offer it once more, then add one change
When it is easy again: take one step back after every few turns.
Change only that one thing and keep everything else the same.
Ready for one step up
Take one step back after every few turns. Or carry it somewhere new: play the same back-and-forth with another caregiver or an older child at the park.
Starting it on their own or using it in a new place is the strongest sign. Still change one thing at a time.
Stop and rest this one
In 2-3 days, come back with the simpler version: sit facing each other and roll the ball instead of kicking, then try one kick at the end.
End with something calming together. One hard moment never means a delay.
Stop on a good note
Keep this version and keep it short next time: 5 minutes is plenty.
They can do it, but it was not fun today. Add difficulty only once it feels easy and enjoyable again.
How to play Kick It Back to Me
4 steps, about 5–10 minutes of focus time, no prep.
-
Stand three steps away from your child on grass and hold the ball up: "My turn!"
-
Kick it gently so it rolls slowly to their feet.
-
Say "Your turn, kick it back!" and wait.
-
Respond to any kick in your direction with a big "Thank you!" and kick it back again.
What you need for Kick It Back to Me
| What you need | A large, light soft ball |
|---|---|
| Prep | No prep |
| Focus time | 5–10 minutes |
| Where | Outdoors |
| Energy | Active: counts toward the day’s movement time |
| Ages (corrected) | 22–36 months |
| Domains | Gross motor, Social-emotional |
| Low-prep menu | Yes: no prep and 10 minutes or less |
| Fits the day | Outside |
Easier and harder versions
Change one thing at a time. Drop to the easier version when Kick It Back to Me stalls; move one rung up only once it looks easy on a few different days.
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Easier
Sit facing each other and roll the ball instead of kicking, then try one kick at the end.
-
As written
The 4 steps above, for 5–10 minutes.
-
Harder 1
Take one step back after every few turns.
-
Harder 2
Kick the ball a little to one side so your child has to move to it before kicking.
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Hardest
Add a second player, such as a sibling, so your child chooses who to kick to.
What to watch for
The signs of progress in Kick It Back to Me, mapped to the 0–4 learning scale the family plan uses (a tracking aid, not an assessment).
| Level | What it looks like here |
|---|---|
| 2 · After a model | Does it right after you show it or point. Watch for: stops the ball with a foot before kicking. |
| 3 · Independent | Does it when offered, with no demonstration. Watch for: kicks toward you rather than in any direction. |
| 4 · Spontaneous | Starts it unprompted or in a new place. Watch for: waits for "your turn" before running at the ball. |
Try it somewhere new
Level 4 means the skill travels. Once Kick It Back to Me is easy, change the place, the person or the material:
- Play the same back-and-forth with another caregiver or an older child at the park.
Words to model
During Kick It Back to Me, say “my turn”, “your turn”, “kick” and “stop” at the moment they happen, one at a time, then pause so your child can answer with a look, a gesture, a sign or a word.
Safety for Kick It Back to Me
- Play on a flat, fenced or enclosed area away from roads, with a soft ball that does not hurt if it hits a face.
Why it works
Kicking a ball is on CDC's 24-month checklist, and simple back-and-forth games with a caregiver reflect the turn-taking play CDC suggests from the first year.
Evidence rating: Consensus: sensible practice in line with pediatric guidance. Cited: CDC milestone checklists by age.
Skills and ages
Kick It Back to Me practises kicking a ball and taking turns and fits ages 22 to 36 months. Each month below opens more activities for that age.
Skills practised
Activities by month (22–36 months)
Milestone checklists nearby
Activities like Kick It Back to Me
Kick Over the Tube Pins is the closest match: it also practises kicking a ball and it uses the same soft ball. It suits 20–36 months, takes 5–12 minutes (a little longer than Kick It Back to Me) and needs 2 minutes of prep. For a younger child, Laundry-Basket Ball Toss starts at 17 months.
Ranked by shared skills, materials and ages
Frequently asked questions
What age is Kick It Back to Me for?
Kick It Back to Me suits 22–36 months, using corrected age for a child born early. For a younger or hesitant child, start with the easier version: sit facing each other and roll the ball instead of kicking, then try one kick at the end.
How long does Kick It Back to Me take?
About 5–10 minutes of focused play over 4 steps, with no prep. Stop while it is still fun and repeat it on another day.
How do I make Kick It Back to Me harder?
Change one thing at a time. First: take one step back after every few turns. Then: kick the ball a little to one side so your child has to move to it before kicking. Hardest: add a second player, such as a sibling, so your child chooses who to kick to.
How do I keep Kick It Back to Me safe?
Play it only with an adult within arm’s reach. Play on a flat, fenced or enclosed area away from roads, with a soft ball that does not hurt if it hits a face.
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Cited guidance
Monitoring, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about any concern. Our sources and method.