At a glance
- Roll a pair of socks into a ball. Your child throws it up just above their head, claps once and catches it.
- Next go, two claps. Keep adding a clap each go and see how many claps fit in before the catch.
- Then toss it to each other, and both clap once before every catch.
- Progress 1: Your child claps behind their back before the catch.
- Progress 2: Call Front or Back as the sock ball goes up, and your child claps that way before the catch.
If it's not working: Leave out the clap and just throw and catch for the first few goes.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips
Set up
- Roll a pair of socks into a ball and clear a bit of space.
Indoors or garden.
How to play
- Your child throws the sock ball up just above their head.
- They clap once and catch it.
- Next go, try two claps.
- Try throwing with the other hand.
- Throw it to each other and clap before every catch.
Make it easier
- Leave out the clap and just throw and catch for the first few goes.
- Catch it in a hug against your tummy instead of with hands only.
Make it harder, step by step
- Your child claps behind their back before the catch.
- Call Front or Back as the sock ball goes up, and your child claps that way before the catch.
Three things to say
- Eyes on the sock ball all the way into your hands.
Colts habit
Work hard, one more clap each go.
Both feet
Throw with the other hand too.
Heads up
Watch the ball, not your hands.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- Under 5s
- Make one big sock ball from several pairs. The grown-up tosses it gently from a step away, and one clap is plenty.
Safety: Clear space away from lights, windows and ornaments. Sock balls only indoors.
My best
Most claps before catching. Last time and this time. Only ever compared with their own earlier go, never with anyone else's. Saved on this device only.