One of the most popular areas of a commercial playpen, the ball pit, is every child’s swimming pool fantasy. There is just something about the ball pit that radiates fun and excitement. There might not be a single person who would not want to have their version of a ball pit at home, right? You are in luck because, in this article, we will teach you how to make a ball pit at home. This project is for your kids to enjoy their very own ball pit and for you to relieve a dream you once had.
As a parent, I am sure you had thoughts of having your very own ball pit when you were a child or a teenager. Knowing how to make a ball pit at home will be fun for your kids and can also be a teaching experience. The best part about this project is that it is very easy to do! If you need more convincing, let’s look at the benefits of a ball pit for a child.
Benefits Of A Ball Pit
A ball pit can be more advantageous to a child, then you think. It is a fun sensory experience that has multiple benefits and helps improve your baby’s motor skills. In a commercial playpen setting, it already allows the child to interact with other kids that can boost their self-confidence later on in life. And the fun exercise a child will have while playing in the ball pit can strengthen and develop muscles. These are some of the key benefits a ball pit can have on a child.
- Cooperative play
A child exposed to a ball pit is encouraged to interact with other kids in the pit. This situation practices the social skills of a child that are essential to boosting self-confidence in the future. It also allows the child to work together with one another in various activities in the ball pit, promoting cooperative play. - Mindfulness
The child in the ball pit will be able to practice mindfulness, especially when looking for a specific ball color. It is also a fun exercise to hide smaller objects inside the ball pit for children to find. This will improve a child’s visual skills, focus, and concentration. - Eye-hand coordination
For babies, having a ball pit can improve hand-eye coordination. Because the balls are lightweight and easy to carry, they can pick it up and throw as they please. When balls go out of the pit, the child can pick that ball up and put it back inside the pit. This practices their ability to make a decisive decision, using their eyes and hands. - Relaxation
A ball pit is also a place where a child can relax in peace. The balls are soft and smooth, making them practical to sit on or even lie down. Doing activities and play can be tiresome. A child can pause and relax on top of the balls, which provide a calming effect and stimulates the sensory nerves.
Making A Ball Pit At Home
Now that we have discussed the advantages of the ball pit, I am sure you are more excited to make one now. There are many ways to know how to make a ball pit at home, and we will go through the easiest route for your convenience. These instructions are easy and straightforward, although we will provide a few tips on how to make your ball pit more durable. Here are the things to do.
Prepare Your Materials
- Inflatable pool
Choosing the right kiddie pool is the foundation for knowing how to make a ball pit at home functional. When purchasing an inflatable kiddie pool, make sure that the size can accommodate your children. It would be best to have the pool with a padded bottom for optimum protection. Inflatable kiddie pools that are not large will usually have inflatable floors as an option.
When choosing your pool, also think about utilizing it for the summer. It would not hurt to put in some water and use the pool for its intended purpose during hot sunny days. This will make your purchase worth it in the long run. I recommend buying an inflatable pool to fit at least one adult too. - Balls
When purchasing your balls, you can check your local toy store and ask around for ball pit balls. You can also find a lot of online outlets that deliver the plastic balls straight to your doorstep. If you want to look for balls in a specific color, check Amazon online and type in a particular ball color.
The balls you choose should be made of high-quality plastic since it is prone to be squished and popped inside the pit. Better quality may also mean paying more, but this will be worth the investment if you want to have the ball pit last for a long time. The number of balls you buy will also matter because you don’t want to fill the pool only halfway. An excellent estimate ball count is 1500 balls can fill up a medium-sized inflatable pool. - Air pump
Having a decent air pump for your inflatable pool is also a must-have since this will make it easier for you to set up the ball pit when needed, especially on special occasions.
Instructions
Step 1 – Fill up your inflatable pool with air using the air-pump. The more air you put into the pool, the safer it is!
Step 2 – Add the balls to the pool! A reasonable estimate of the height you want to get should not be more than your eldest child’s knee level.
Step 3 – Add extra fun! Beach balls and floats are great fillers to add in your ball pit.
Step 4 – Have fun and keep safety a priority.
Conclusion
It’s good to know how to make a ball pit at home, especially for your child’s enjoyment. I am sure having a ball pit had crossed most minds of parents when they were younger. Having a ball pit is a perfect way to make that dream into reality for their kids. Because of today’s technology, the materials are readily available and are at your disposal with a click of a button. The ball pit is not only fun but can be beneficial, especially for developing children. Make one now! Get more tips on play pens.