My Toddler Can't Catch a Ball
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about my toddler can't catch a ball, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Catching is one of the most challenging ball skills and develops much later than throwing. Most toddlers cannot catch a thrown ball. Trapping a rolled ball against the body begins around 2-3 years, and catching a gently tossed ball with hands starts around age 3-4. This is a normal developmental timeline.
Key takeaways
- Catching is one of the most challenging ball skills and develops much later than throwing. Most toddlers cannot catch a thrown ball. Trapping a rolled ball against the body begins around 2-3 years, and catching a gently tossed ball with hands starts around age 3-4. This is a normal developmental timeline.
- Usually normal when: Your toddler is under 3 and cannot catch a thrown ball.
- Call your doctor if: Your child has lost coordination skills they previously had.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines, catching is one of the most challenging ball skills and develops much later than throwing. Most toddlers cannot catch a thrown ball. Trapping a rolled ball against the body begins around 2-3 years, and catching a gently tossed ball with hands starts around age 3-4. This is a normal developmental timeline. At 12-18 months, toddlers at this age cannot catch a ball, and they are not expected to. Your child may enjoy rolling a ball back and forth with you, which is the precursor to catching skills. This rolling game helps develop hand-eye coordination and the concept of tracking a moving object. It is generally considered normal when your toddler is under 3 and cannot catch a thrown ball. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child has lost coordination skills they previously had.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
12-18 months
Toddlers at this age cannot catch a ball, and they are not expected to. Your child may enjoy rolling a ball back and forth with you, which is the precursor to catching skills. This rolling game helps develop hand-eye coordination and the concept of tracking a moving object.
18-24 months
Your toddler may start to trap a rolled ball using their arms and body. They are unlikely to catch a thrown ball. Playing rolling games, bouncing balls, and other ball play builds the tracking and timing skills needed for catching later.
2-3 years
Some children begin to catch large balls by trapping them against their chest. This is early catching and is a significant achievement. If your child can trap a large ball sometimes, their hand-eye coordination is developing well. True hand-catching with outstretched arms comes later.
3-4 years
Most children can catch a large, gently tossed ball by age 3-4. If your child still cannot attempt to catch at all and does not try to reach for an approaching ball, mention it to your pediatrician, as it may indicate visual tracking or coordination difficulties.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler can't catch a ball and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child is over 3 and does not attempt to catch or react to balls tossed toward them.
- Mention if your child seems unable to track moving objects with their eyes.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your toddler is under 3 and cannot catch a thrown ball.
- Your toddler can roll a ball back and forth during play.
- Your toddler tries to catch but misses or traps against their body.
- Your toddler tracks a moving ball with their eyes.
- Your child is over 3 and does not attempt to catch or react to balls tossed toward them.
- Your child seems unable to track moving objects with their eyes.
- Your child has difficulty with other hand-eye coordination tasks.
- Your child has lost coordination skills they previously had.
- Your child seems unable to visually track objects or has sudden changes in vision.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice my toddler can't catch a ball — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your toddler is under 3 and cannot catch a thrown ball — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 12-18 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Provide plenty of supervised floor time and tummy time to support your baby's physical development.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your child has lost coordination skills they previously had.
Related Conditions
My Toddler Can't Throw a Ball
Throwing develops in stages. Most toddlers can throw underhand by 12-18 months and progress to an overhand throw by 18-24 months. Early throws are often more like dropping or pushing the ball. A true overhand throw with follow-through does not develop until around age 3-4.
My Toddler Can't Kick a Ball
Kicking a ball forward is a milestone that typically develops between 18 and 24 months. It requires balancing on one foot while swinging the other, which is a complex motor skill. If your toddler is under 2 and cannot kick yet, this is within the normal range. Most children are kicking a ball forward by age 2.
Poor Hand-Eye Coordination
Hand-eye coordination - the ability to use visual information to guide hand movements - develops gradually throughout infancy and toddlerhood. Babies begin by swiping at objects they see around 3 to 4 months and progressively become more accurate. It is normal for young children to be "clumsy" with their hands, and precision improves significantly with practice and brain maturation.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is my toddler can't catch a ball normal?
When should I call the doctor about my toddler can't catch a ball?
When is my toddler can't catch a ball normal?
What causes my toddler can't catch a ball?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about my toddler can't catch a ball?
Is my toddler can't catch a ball normal at 12-18 months?
Is my toddler can't catch a ball normal at 18-24 months?
Should I go to the ER for my toddler can't catch a ball?
Does my toddler can't catch a ball go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Toddler Can't Catch a Ball.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler can't catch a ball and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child is over 3 and does not attempt to catch or react to balls tossed toward them.
- Mention if your child seems unable to track moving objects with their eyes.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your child is over 3 and does not attempt to catch or react to balls tossed toward them.
- Your child seems unable to track moving objects with their eyes.
- Your child has difficulty with other hand-eye coordination tasks.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child has lost coordination skills they previously had.
- Your child seems unable to visually track objects or has sudden changes in vision.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
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Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of my toddler can't catch a ball are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child has lost coordination skills they previously had.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Physical Concerns
My Toddler Can't Throw a Ball
Throwing develops in stages. Most toddlers can throw underhand by 12-18 months and progress to an overhand throw by 18-24 months. Early throws are often more like dropping or pushing the ball. A true overhand throw with follow-through does not develop until around age 3-4.
My Toddler Can't Kick a Ball
Kicking a ball forward is a milestone that typically develops between 18 and 24 months. It requires balancing on one foot while swinging the other, which is a complex motor skill. If your toddler is under 2 and cannot kick yet, this is within the normal range. Most children are kicking a ball forward by age 2.
Poor Hand-Eye Coordination
Hand-eye coordination - the ability to use visual information to guide hand movements - develops gradually throughout infancy and toddlerhood. Babies begin by swiping at objects they see around 3 to 4 months and progressively become more accurate. It is normal for young children to be "clumsy" with their hands, and precision improves significantly with practice and brain maturation.
Should I Use Adjusted Age for My Preemie's Milestones?
Yes — for premature babies, developmental milestones should be assessed using adjusted (corrected) age, not chronological age, until at least 2 years of age. Adjusted age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks your baby was born early from their actual age. For example, a 6-month-old born 2 months early would have an adjusted age of 4 months, and should be assessed against 4-month milestones. Most pediatricians use adjusted age for developmental assessment through age 2-3, and for growth charts through age 2.
Baby-Proofing a Small Apartment
Baby-proofing a small apartment is absolutely possible and focuses on the same key safety principles as any home: securing furniture to walls, covering outlets, locking cabinets with hazardous materials, and ensuring safe sleep spaces. Small spaces actually have an advantage - there is less area to monitor. Focus on eliminating the most dangerous hazards first: falls, poisoning, choking, and burns.
My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other
Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.