Do I need long paper towel rolls?

Long rolls work best for the first try because your child has room to hold the tubes while the ends touch the ball. Shorter rolls usually make the squeeze harder to control.

What kind of ball works best?

A tennis ball or another large toddler-safe ball with a little grip is easiest to trap between the tubes. Avoid small balls, especially around children under 3.

How much space does this need?

A short clear lane is enough. Start with the basket one or two steps away so the challenge is the squeeze and drop, not a long walk.

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A toddler holding two cardboard tubes around a tennis ball while carrying it toward a small basket on the floor.

Fine motorTwo Hand CoordinationIndoor

Cardboard Tube Ball Lift.

Place the basket one step away, help set the tube ends around the ball, and count one squeeze-lift-drop turn as a full game.

Turn two paper towel rolls into a squeeze-and-carry challenge with a tennis ball and basket.

Fine motorTwo Hand CoordinationIndoor

Cardboard Tube Ball Lift.

Turn two paper towel rolls into a squeeze-and-carry challenge with a tennis ball and basket.

Play time

5-10+ min

Age

2-3 years

Energy

Low

Mess

Low

Effort

Low

Where

Indoor

Start here

The recipe.

Low parent effort

3 things

What you need

2 long cardboard paper towel rolls
1 tennis ball
1 small basket

5 min minimum

Setup

Then start the loop

Step 01

On a flat floor or rug, clear a short walking lane with no toys in it.

Step 02

At one end of the lane, place the tennis ball on the floor.

Step 03

A few feet away, set the basket where your child can see the finish.

Step 04

Put one paper towel roll in each of your child's hands with the tube ends aimed toward the ball.

Step 05

Kneel beside your child so you can model one slow squeeze-lift-drop turn.

"Squeeze and lift."

The loop

How play unfolds.

A multi-panel sequence showing tube ends around a tennis ball, a slow carry to the basket, and the ball dropping in.

1
Model one turn: squeeze the tube ends around the ball, lift it, carry it to the basket, and drop it in.
2
Hand over the tubes and help line the ends up on opposite sides of the ball.
3
Let your child squeeze, lift, walk, and drop the ball into the basket.
4
If the ball slips, place it back at the start and try the same short path again.

01
Model one turn: squeeze the tube ends around the ball, lift it, carry it to the basket, and drop it in.
02
Hand over the tubes and help line the ends up on opposite sides of the ball.
03
Let your child squeeze, lift, walk, and drop the ball into the basket.
04
If the ball slips, place it back at the start and try the same short path again.

Safety Check

Stay close and supervise while your child carries the ball.
Keep the walking path clear so the carry stays slow and steady.
Stick with a tennis ball or another large toddler-safe ball if you repeat. Avoid small balls.

Supporting the play

What to say in the moment

Match what you say to what you see.

Prompt ladder

Level 1 (Start)

"Squeeze the ball and carry it to the basket."

Level 2 (Keep going)

"You lifted it. Walk it in."

Level 3 (Stretch)

"Can you keep the ball up for slow steps?"

Level 4 (Extend)

"Let's do one more basket trip."

If your child seems...

What you'd see

Focused

What to do

Say

"You are keeping that ball between the tubes."

Add

"Is it in?"

Extend

"Try two clean basket drops in a row."

Make it easier

Younger end

-Hold the tubes near the ends that touch the ball so your child does not have to squeeze from farther back on the rolls.
-Start each new round with the tube ends already touching the sides of the ball before your child squeezes.
-Let your child do 1 calm trip at a time with a short pause before the next reset.

Make it harder

Older end

+Ask your child to line up both tube ends on the ball without your hands helping.
+After 1 easy tennis-ball round, try 1 slightly different large ball size if it is still toddler-safe.
+See if your child can carry and drop the ball with just 1 start cue instead of reminders during the walk.

If it's not working

If you see

If child ignores it

Do 1 slow turn yourself, then set the tube ends on the ball so your child only has to finish the squeeze and lift.

If you see

If child misuses it

Reset the ball on the floor and say, "Hands stay on the tubes. Tubes squeeze the ball."

If you see

If child gets frustrated

Move the basket closer, keep just 1 tennis ball in play, and count 1 squeeze-lift-drop turn as enough.

Skill spotlight

Two-Hand Coordination

using both hands together to grip, carry, and release the ball

This helps your child use both hands on one shared job, keep pressure steady while moving, and place an object where it needs to go instead of dropping it early.

•The two tubes give each hand a job, so your child practices squeezing both sides toward one shared target.
•Carrying the ball to the basket adds steady hand pressure while the body moves.
•The basket drop gives the round a visible finish, and a slipped ball becomes an easy reset.

Real-world transfer