Activities to Teach Kids How to Throw a Ball

Catch and Toss

• Throwing a ball is arguably one of the most basic games to teach your child. If your child is small, have him get on his knees and you should get on your knees. Grab a soft ball and slowly toss it to him underhanded. Instruct to catch the ball with both hands. Once he has the ball in his hand, instruct him to toss it back to you in the same way you tossed it to him. It may take a few tries, but he will eventually get the hang of the activity. If the child is older, allow him to stand up normally and you get on your knees or squat so the two of you are eye-to-eye. Toss the ball underhanded.

Ball Through Hoop

• To teach your child how to throw a ball accurately, you will want to teach the child how to throw the ball through a hoop. This hoop can be anything, such as a hula-hoop. Hold the hoop above the child -- next to your chest as you stand next to your child -- and tell the child to throw it through the hoop. It may take a few tries, but eventually the child will be able to accurately aim at the hoop and throw the ball through it.

Ball in Basket

• If you want to teach your child how to aim at a target below him, put a basket below him and tell him to throw the ball into the basket. This will teach him to aim low and accurately throw the ball into a targeted basket. If he is short, you may want to sit him on a taller platform such as a stool and balance him as he throws the ball.

Targets

• The most advanced activity should be performed after your child understands how to throw the ball. To use targets as practice for throwing the ball, set up some small targets, such as plastic bottles. Hand your child a small, foam ball and allow him to throw the ball at the set up targets. This will make him judge distance and height.