Best Toys

Even the simplest concepts can use an update now and again. Take the age-old ball, for example. It’s just a basic sphere shape, made of plastic or rubber and filled with nothing but air. It can be rolled, thrown, caught or kicked. Kids can play games or sports with them or make up their own activities. All in all, they are a great idea. There are some flaws in the system, though. Catching is hard for small children and takes a while to learn. Many balls are hard and can hurt little hands or faces if a catch is missed. Furniture and walls can be damaged if a throw goes in an unplanned direction. Maybe a few tweaks could improve this basic toy. This company has come up with a unique new take on this old idea.

Description

The original Oball toys model is an odd-looking sphere which seems to be more hole than ball. It looks almost like a large-holed mesh that somehow holds a round shape. It’s really a lattice of latex-free plastic that is smooth and shiny with no sharp edges. It is nearly indestructible; it can be smashed completely flat, bunched up into a wad and still return immediately to its original shape. It comes in many bright and eye-catching color combinations including primary colors, clear “jellies” and solids. Since it is made up of such a thin network of material, this ball is super light. The holes make it easy to catch, even for small children, toddlers and the occasional butter-fingered adult. This makes it a great toy for developing hand-eye coordination and exercising motor skills. It’s also bouncy and fun to kick since it’s so flexible and light.

Variations

The original one is a 4.5 inch ball, but the line of Oball Toys has expanded to include several sizes and shapes. There’s even a model with a rattle for babies. There is a football and a 3-in-1 ball that has three different balls nested one inside the other. Play sets are also available with special bats and Oballs packaged together. Sizes range from the small original and football sizes to the Big one at 6 inches and the Really Big model at 7 inches.

Critiques

How can you go wrong with a ball? It’s a basic toy every kid should have somewhere in the toy box. Oball Toys took the most basic concept and improved it by making it safer, lighter, and easier to catch and throw and really just more fun in general. The price can’t be beaten. Most of the line retails for under $10 and even the larger models and sets rarely cost more than $15. At that price, kids have one for home and one for the car too.