Parent and fitness professional Trish Muse has the following suggestions for fun and engaging games involving sports and fitness balls. Of course, parent supervision and involvement is a requirement for all activities.

• For children ages 10 to 18 months, place small balls (non-choking size) on the floor and a bucket on a higher level, like a couch or chair. Have the child squat down, pick up the balls and put them in the bucket. This motion will help to strengthen legs and buttocks and improve walking and balance.
• For children ages 12 months and up, make a ball pit for fun exercise and skill development. A small inflatable pool and some boxes of small (non-choking) balls should do the trick. This is inexpensive and easy to store when not in use.
• For children in the 24-month-and-older range, soccer balls are a great way to get kids moving, kicking and thinking. Don't just kick and chase the ball, try reciting the letters of the alphabet (or counting numbers) in sequence with every kick.
• Basketball is great for working on balance and hand-eye coordination. For children ages 3 to 6, set up a kid's basketball hoop and have them stand on one leg while shooting, or have them stand on a bench to give them a better shot at scoring a basket.