Leslie Cordero, DPT, a physical therapist at Child and Family Development, contributed to the Fun in the Sun board in the Midtown lobby. She found a resource from Your Therapy Source that provides 15 ball activities that can be good exercise and therapeutic, including:
1. Play catch with a balloon.
2. Bat a balloon up and down in the air as many times as you can without it touching the ground.
3. Toss a scarf or handkerchief in the air and catch it.
4. Play catch with gradually smaller balls (from playground to tennis sized).
5. Toss and catch a ball while standing inside a hula hoop.
6. Walk forward and toss a balloon, scarf or ball in the air.
7. Toss a balloon, scarf or ball in the air, clap your hands and then catch the ball.
8. Bounce a ball on the floor and catch it.
9. Bounce a ball on the floor, clap your hands and then catch it.
10. Toss a ball at the wall, let the ball bounce and then catch it.
11. Hold a beach ball overhead with two hands to stretch your shoulders and back. Hold for 10 seconds.
12. Put a laundry basket by your feet. Lay down on the floor on your back with your knees bent. Pick up a ball with your feet and put it inside the basket. Repeat.
13. Hold a ball with two hands at your belly button. Pass the ball around your waist without letting it drop to the ground.
14. Hold a beach ball with two hands, elbows straight at shoulder height. Perform 10 squats.
15. Create a small obstacle course using lawn chairs and kick a ball (beach or soccer sized) around the obstacles.
Have a ball!