Using Beach Balls For Comprehension, Math and More

I just love to use balls in teaching sessions—they’re one of my favorite tools for transforming lessons into interactive, joyful experiences! Beach balls, in particular, are inexpensive, colorful, and full of potential for hands-on learning. This simple prop can accommodate kinesthetic and tactile learners who thrive when their minds and bodies are both engaged. Plus, it always brings laughter and connection into the classroom or therapy room. 

You can easily find beach balls at the dollar store or online, and with a few permanent markers, you can turn them into a multisensory teaching tool that reinforces everything from literacy skills to math concepts.

How Do I Use Beach Balls for Learning?

Here are just a few ways I integrate them into my lessons:

• Parts of Speech – Write nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs in different sections. When a student catches the ball, they name a word that fits the category under their thumb.

• Multiplication Practice – Label the ball with numbers 1 through 12. The student tosses the ball to a partner, and wherever their thumb lands, they multiply the two numbers touching their thumbs.

• Touch Math and Counting – Add numbers or dots to help younger learners physically count and visualize math facts as they touch and move.

• Vowel Combinations – Write vowel teams (like ai, ea, oa, ie) around the ball. Students call out a word that includes that vowel pattern each time they catch it.

• Types of Sentences – Mark areas for declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, and imperative. Students give an example of that type of sentence.

• Letter Recognition and Phonics – For early learners, label the ball with letters. Students can name the letter sound, a word that starts with it, or even trace it in the air.

• Blending Practice – Write beginning consonant clusters on one section (like bl, tr, sm) and endings on another (at, og, ip). Students spin and combine them to make words.

• Writing Prompts – Jot down creative prompts such as “Describe your dream vacation,” “Tell about your favorite book,” or “What would you do if you were invisible for a day?” The ball becomes a fun brainstorming tool for journaling or group writing exercises.

Tips for Success

• Use different colored markers for categories to make it easier for visual learners to distinguish between topics.

• Try laminating the surface with clear tape to make your ball last longer and prevent the ink from smearing.

• Make it a group activity—students can take turns tossing the ball, helping each other, and celebrating correct answers.

• Encourage students to stand or move as they play. Movement helps activate focus, motivation, and memory!

Why It Works

Integrating movement into instruction stimulates both the brain and the body. For students who struggle to sit still or focus for long periods, this approach turns learning into play. The result? Better retention, increased motivation, and joyful engagement. Beach balls can even help strengthen executive functioning skills like working memory, attention, and cognitive flexibility—especially when you vary the challenges or switch between subjects.

If you use balls for other lessons, please share your ideas.

Cheers, Dr. Erica Warren