The Preschool AthleteHelping parents have a positive impact on their young child’s future athletic development
Helping parents build a foundation for their young child’s future athletic development
Resources
Equipment & Books
Equipment Suggestions:
All of the equipment listed below can be viewed in use in one or more of the activities from our video selections. Most of the equipment & books listed are linked to companies where they can be purchased. Just click on the image.
$ – under $25 (sometimes free)
$$ – $26-$100
$$$ – over $100
Hula hoops:great for rolling and chasing, use as targets, and multiple coordination activities; ($-$$, purchase individually where toys are sold or sold in multiples online)
Beanbags: ideal for little hands when throwing and catching (they don’t roll away when dropped), also great for balancing on different body parts ($)
Balloons: so many great things to do with balloons – striking, kicking, catching, etc. and super inexpensive ($)
Sock balls: great recycled item, easy for little hands to hold, throw, and catch ($)
Foam balls: multiple use item that comes in a variety of sizes ($)
Fleece balls: very soft for throwing and catching, very easy to grip ($)
Agility balls: crazy-shaped balls that bounce in all different directions, great for the development of agility and reaction time ($)
Sectional foam balance beam: create different pathways with these colorful balance beam sectionals; great for smaller areas, creating pathways around furniture, etc. ($$-$$$)
Slackline:adds a challenging and fun way to develop balance ($$$)
Balance board: helps develop balance in forward, backward, and sideways directions ($$$)
Balance pads: helps develop balance, coordination, and body awareness ($)
Scoop catchers: used for developing throwing and catching skills when using an implement ($)
Milk jug scoop: easy to make and you can adjust the the challenge level by using gallon or half-gallon jugs ($)
Bottle targets: plastic 2 liter & 1 liter soda bottles, water bottles, and small Ensure bottles make for convenient and inexpensive targets for throwing and kicking ($)
Plastic bowling pins: make great targets – nice and tall and easy to knock over ($$)
Velcro wall target: a super motivating and success-oriented target wall for the development of throwing skills ($$$)
Laundry baskets: can be used for a number of activities but work very well as a target for throwing, shooting, and passing ($)
Cones: comes in a variety of heights and can be used for targets, goals, boundaries, etc. ($-individual, $$-set of 6)
Net goal: works as a great target for kicking, throwing, and batting off a tee ($$$)
Batting tee: adjustable height, can be used with small and large diameter balls ($$)
Noodles: cut the noodle in half and make a great striking implement ($-$$, purchase individually where toys are sold or sold in multiples online)
Lollipop paddles: short-handled, sturdy foam, colorful, and perfect for striking balloons and beach balls ($$, usually sold in multiples online)
Short-handle hockey stick: works great for striking balloons and balls on the ground. Helps with developing eye-hand coordination using an implement ($-$$)
Low height hurdles: used to develop leaping and jumping skills as well as incorporating overall coordination ($-$$)
Low weight dumbbells: can be used in multiple ways to develop muscular strength and endurance and are coated with cushion material for safety ($-$$)
Weighted balls: about the size of a softball and ranging in weight from 2-5 pounds. Very squeezable and soft for easier gripping ($-$$)
Weighted stuffed animals: a unique way to incorporate muscular strength and endurance development in everyday play situations ($)
Hula hoops: great for rolling and chasing, use as targets, and multiple coordination activities; ($-$$, purchase individually where toys are sold or sold in multiples online)
Beanbags: ideal for little hands when throwing and catching (they don’t roll away when dropped), also great for balancing on different body parts ($)
Balloons: so many great things to do with balloons – striking, kicking, catching, etc. and super inexpensive ($)
Sock balls: great recycled item, easy for little hands to hold, throw, and catch ($)
Foam balls: multiple use item that comes in a variety of sizes ($)
Fleece balls: very soft for throwing and catching, very easy to grip ($)
Agility balls: crazy-shaped balls that bounce in all different directions, great for the development of agility and reaction time ($)
Stability balls: over-sized balls (18″-30″), helpful for developing dribbling skills ($$)
Foam discs: softer than the hard plastic discs but they still fly really well ($)
Foam javelin: another unique throwing experience, throw for distance or at target ($)
Home-made balance beam: use 1×4, 2×4, 4×4, 1×6, 2×6, etc.; sand it, paint it, cut it the length that fits your space ($-$$)
Commercial foam balance beam: sturdy foam beam, 8 foot long that folds in the middle for easy storage ($$$)
Sectional foam balance beam: create different pathways with these colorful balance beam sectionals; great for smaller areas, creating pathways around furniture, etc. ($$-$$$)
Slackline: adds a challenging and fun way to develop balance ($$$)
Balance board: helps develop balance in forward, backward, and sideways directions ($$$)
Balance pads: helps develop balance, coordination, and body awareness ($)
Stomp & catch board: a great and simple device to help young kids catch by themselves; purchase one ($$) or make one yourself with instructions from icanteachmychild.com ($)
Scoop catchers: used for developing throwing and catching skills when using an implement ($)
Milk jug scoop: easy to make and you can adjust the the challenge level by using gallon or half-gallon jugs ($)
Bottle targets: plastic 2 liter & 1 liter soda bottles, water bottles, and small Ensure bottles make for convenient and inexpensive targets for throwing and kicking ($)
Plastic bowling pins: make great targets – nice and tall and easy to knock over ($$)
Velcro wall target: a super motivating and success-oriented target wall for the development of throwing skills ($$$)
Laundry baskets: can be used for a number of activities but work very well as a target for throwing, shooting, and passing ($)
Cones: comes in a variety of heights and can be used for targets, goals, boundaries, etc. ($-individual, $$-set of 6)
Net goal: works as a great target for kicking, throwing, and batting off a tee ($$$)
Batting tee:
Noodles:
Short-handle hockey stick:
