The Big Paper Ball Chase

Step by step

1. 1Grab 1 or 2 large sheets of paper and sit on the floor with your baby on a clear rug.
2. 2Slowly crumple the paper into a tight ball right in front of them, talking about the crinkly noise—making it is part of the fun.
3. 3Gently roll the ball about 50 cm in front of them and wait for them to go after it.
4. 4Let them push, lose, and catch the ball. Roll it back gently if it drifts too far. If they try to chew on it, squeeze the ball tight again and keep a close eye.
5. 5Mix it up: roll it between two cushions, aim for a basket tipped on its side, or roll it back and forth together.
6. 6Tuck the ball into a basket with your baby; you can reuse it just like that next time.

What it builds

A ball that wobbles and rolls unpredictably gives your baby a great reason to move: look, aim, push, catch. That is how crawling gets stronger—by chasing something you really want to grab.