Laundry-Basket Ball Toss
Laundry-Basket Ball Toss is an active gross motor activity for toddlers aged 17–28 months (corrected age). The child stands near an empty laundry basket and throws soft balls into it, practicing letting go at the right moment and taking turns with an adult. It takes 5–12 minutes, needs no prep and works indoors or outdoors.
Updated
Laundry-Basket Ball Toss
The child stands near an empty laundry basket and throws soft balls into it, practicing letting go at the right moment and taking turns with an adult.
- Ages (corrected)
- 17–28 months
- Time
- 5–12 min
- Prep
- No prep
- Where
- Indoors or out · Active
You need
- an empty laundry basket
- 3-4 soft balls
- a small bucket (for the harder version)
Steps
- Put the basket one big step in front of the child and hold up a ball.
- Throw one in yourself: "My turn... in!"
- Hand them a ball, say "Your turn," and wait without guiding their arm.
- Name the result either way: "In the basket!" or "Next to the basket. Another one?"
- Let them fetch the balls back out; collecting is part of the game.
Safety first
- Use soft, light balls only and play away from windows, lamps and glass.
- Check the basket has no cracked or sharp plastic edges.
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: lets go of the ball forward instead of dropping it at their feet.
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: let them stand right at the basket and drop the balls in.
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: throws with one arm, underhand or overhand.
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: move the basket back one more step.
Change only that one thing and keep everything else the same.
Ready for one step up
Move the basket back one more step. Or carry it somewhere new: throw a ball to another caregiver at the park, aiming for their open arms.
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: let them stand right at the basket and drop the balls in.
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 Laundry-Basket Ball Toss
5 steps, about 5–12 minutes of focus time, no prep.
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Put the basket one big step in front of the child and hold up a ball.
-
Throw one in yourself: "My turn... in!"
-
Hand them a ball, say "Your turn," and wait without guiding their arm.
-
Name the result either way: "In the basket!" or "Next to the basket. Another one?"
-
Let them fetch the balls back out; collecting is part of the game.
What you need for Laundry-Basket Ball Toss
| What you need | An empty laundry basket, 3-4 soft balls and a small bucket (for the harder version) |
|---|---|
| Prep | No prep |
| Focus time | 5–12 minutes |
| Where | Indoors or outdoors |
| Energy | Active: counts toward the day’s movement time |
| Ages (corrected) | 17–28 months |
| Domains | Gross motor, Social-emotional |
| Fits the day | On a rainy day indoors |
Easier and harder versions
Change one thing at a time. Drop to the easier version when Laundry-Basket Ball Toss stalls; move one rung up only once it looks easy on a few different days.
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Easier
Let them stand right at the basket and drop the balls in.
-
As written
The 5 steps above, for 5–12 minutes.
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Harder 1
Move the basket back one more step.
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Harder 2
Swap the laundry basket for the smaller bucket.
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Hardest
Show an overhand throw and offer it as a choice.
What to watch for
The signs of progress in Laundry-Basket Ball Toss, 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: lets go of the ball forward instead of dropping it at their feet. |
| 3 · Independent | Does it when offered, with no demonstration. Watch for: throws with one arm, underhand or overhand and gets a ball into the basket from a step away. |
| 4 · Spontaneous | Starts it unprompted or in a new place. Watch for: waits for "your turn" before throwing. |
Try it somewhere new
Level 4 means the skill travels. Once Laundry-Basket Ball Toss is easy, change the place, the person or the material:
- Throw a ball to another caregiver at the park, aiming for their open arms.
Words to model
During Laundry-Basket Ball Toss, say “throw”, “in”, “my turn, your turn” and “again” 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 Laundry-Basket Ball Toss
- Use soft, light balls only and play away from windows, lamps and glass.
- Check the basket has no cracked or sharp plastic edges.
Why it works
Balls are among the traditional toys the AAP toy report describes as supporting motor and social play, especially with an adult taking part. Short throwing rounds add to the varied movement WHO recommends across the day.
Evidence rating: Good: published guidance supports the approach. Cited: AAP clinical report: Selecting Appropriate Toys for Young Children in the Digital Era (Pediatrics, 2019) and WHO guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years (2019).
Skills and ages
Laundry-Basket Ball Toss practises throwing a ball and taking turns and fits ages 17 to 28 months. Each month below opens more activities for that age.
Skills practised
Activities by month (17–28 months)
Milestone checklists nearby
Activities like Laundry-Basket Ball Toss
Throw into the Hoop is the closest match: it also practises throwing a ball and it uses the same soft ball. It suits 18–36 months, takes 5–12 minutes (about as long as Laundry-Basket Ball Toss) and needs 2 minutes of prep. For a younger child, Blanket Picnic Playdate starts at 15 months; for an older child, Throw into the Hoop runs to 36 months.
Ranked by shared skills, materials and ages
Frequently asked questions
What age is Laundry-Basket Ball Toss for?
Laundry-Basket Ball Toss suits 17–28 months, using corrected age for a child born early. For a younger or hesitant child, start with the easier version: let them stand right at the basket and drop the balls in.
How long does Laundry-Basket Ball Toss take?
About 5–12 minutes of focused play over 5 steps, with no prep. Stop while it is still fun and repeat it on another day.
How do I make Laundry-Basket Ball Toss harder?
Change one thing at a time. First: move the basket back one more step. Then: swap the laundry basket for the smaller bucket. Hardest: show an overhand throw and offer it as a choice.
How do I keep Laundry-Basket Ball Toss safe?
Play it only with an adult within arm’s reach. Use soft, light balls only and play away from windows, lamps and glass. Check the basket has no cracked or sharp plastic edges.
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Monitoring, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about any concern. Our sources and method.