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DIY Ball Drop Box for Babies

If you’ve got a spare nappy box at home, then why not turn it into this easy DIY Ball Drop Box for Babies. Babies love to drop objects into containers and take them out again. This is an easy DIY project that will help to develop baby’s fine motor skills while using materials you already have at home.

Recycle an old box and learn how to make this DIY Ball Drop Box. A fun and easy fine motor activity for babies and toddlers.
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Fine Motor Activities for Kids

Activities that use and strengthen the muscles in a child’s fingers, thumb and hand are known as fine motor activities. Fine motor skills are important, particularly when it comes to baby’s independence. Feeding themselves, tying shoelaces, picking up toys (and hopefully packing them away) all involve fine motor skills. 

Here are some of my favorite ways to help strengthen small hands.

  1. DIY Tracing Cards
  2. Egg Carton Color Sort
  3. Hang Up The Socks
  4. DIY Fine Motor Stacking Toy for Babies
  5. DIY Tugging Box

For more ideas, visit 60 Amazing Fine Motor Activities for Kids.

How to make a DIY Ball Drop Box

I used an old nappy box to make our ball drop box. It was the perfect size for us and really easy to make.

Step 1. Draw your lines.

You’re essentially going to cut one corner of the box off. To do this you’ll need to:

Draw an L shape on each of the sides of the box.

⅓ – ½ up, draw a line lengthways across the front of the box.

Draw a line ½ way down the length of the top of the box.

Add 4 circles on the top section of the box – Draw as many circles as you want, depending on the size of the box you’re using as well as the ball size.

2. Cut along the lines – except for the top one

For the top part of the box (the side next to your circles), only cut halfway through the cardboard. This is because you’re going to fold this part of the box down and glue it in the next step.

You can, of course, cut all the lines and glue the entire section back in place if this is easier for you.

3. Fold and glue the top half of the box in place

Only cut halfway through to that you can bend this section over easily.

The top part of the box should now be in two sections, joined together by a shallow cut line. Fold along this line until the top part of the box bends at a 90 degree angle.

Glue this fold in place. This step can be difficult to visualize using only pictures. I really recommend watching the video so that you can see the different steps in action and get a better idea of how the box looks in 3D.

Optional – paint or cover your box with colorful paper. I didn’t do this step because my kids were so excited to play with it that I didn’t get the chance. However, making it colorful is something that’s more for us parents, kids don’t need it to look pretty.

4. Play

Fill the box with ball pit balls and you’re ready to go.

As far as DIY baby toys go, this one was a much bigger hit than I thought. I knew that my baby girl would love it. What I didn’t expect was her 3-year-old brother to be just as interested. 

Although he has ended up using it as a makeshift basketball hoop more than anything. It just shows you that when kids use their imaginations, their toys will grow with them.

FAQ’s

When can babies do ball drop?

Babies can do a ball drop activity from around 7-8 months of age. They will need to be able to sit independently and have their arms free. As well as be steady enough to move and grab toys off the floor without falling over.

What are the ball drop activity benefits?

There are a number of different benefits to this easy baby ball drop activity. These include hand-eye coordination, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, as well as the concept of object permanence.

How do you make a Montessori object permanence box?

There are a variety of different ways to make an object permanence toy. Which way you choose will depend on what you’re looking for. 

Using a wooden box would be best if you want good quality. This option is probably best for early years teachers that want baby toys that will last for several years in their classroom. 

However a simple cardboard box, which gives you the lowest price, is probably best for moms who are interested in educational toys for their babies.

Are you going to make a DIY Ball Drop Box for Babies?
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Recycle an old box and learn how to make this DIY Ball Drop Box. A fun and easy fine motor activity for babies and toddlers.
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DIY Ball Drop Box

DIY Ball Drop Box

Learn how to make a DIY ball drop box. This is an easy DIY toy that will help babies and toddlers develop fine motor skills.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Materials

  • An old cardboard box
  • Ball pit balls
  • Stanley Knife
  • Ruler
  • Sharpie Pen
  • Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

Instructions

    1. Draw an L shape of each of the sides of the box.
    2. ½ up, draw a line lengthways across the front of the box.
    3. Draw a line ½ way down the length of the top of the box.
    4. Add 4 circles on the top section of the box.
    5. Cut along the lines, except for the one along the length of the top.
    6. For the top part of the box (the side next to your circles), only cut halfway through the cardboard. This is because you’re going to fold this part of the box down and glue it in the next step.
    7. Fold along this line until the top part of the box bends at a 90 degree angle.
    8. Glue this fold in place.
    9. Fill the box with ball pit balls and you’re ready to go.

Notes

This DIY project can be difficult to visualize using only pictures. I really recommend watching the video so that you can see the different steps in action and get a better idea of how the box looks in 3D.

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