Make- It- Yourself Zoomball

"Zoom Ball" also known as "Forward Pass" is a commercially available toy that involves 2 players.  Each player grasps a handle in each hand alternating opening arms apart and bringing them together. When player A moves arms apart the "ball" shoots across to player B who has hands together. Then player B moves arms apart so that the "ball" shoots across to player A (who has hands together). The players repeat as long as strength holds up and they are having fun...   This is what the commercial toys look like.....

I prefer to make my own because:
1) I can use any length cord I choose; the shorter the cord the easier to play
2) I think that the handles are much more comfortable
3) It is recycling something plastic
4) and of course, it is FREE !!!!

Materials used are:
1) nylon cord
2) 4 detergent bottle handles
3) 2 soda bottles
4) duct tape

I demonstrate how to make a zoom ball the video. You may also like to simply use what I call a "batter". After connecting the 2 soda bottles,  one player may use it to push a ball across the room or bat at a suspended ball.  The soda bottle spouts function as handles.
The boy in the photo is actually on top of a scooter board that you can't see and he pushes the ball, scoots toward it and repeats. We did this during an occupational therapy session. Two players can turn this into a back and forth push the ball game......

The bottom photo shows a close up of the cord attached to a handle. 

A few of the many therapeutic benefits of Zoom Ball: It promotes

1) visual attention, tracking, convergence and divergence

2) bilateral coordination

3) strong shoulders, neck, arms and grasp

4) sensory stimulation as played in a variety of positions

5) motor planning, rhythm

6) social skills, working with a partner, turn taking

7) endurance and persistence as player recites the alphabet  or counts to 100.

8)  exercise......

Variations: 

1)Play while kneeling

2) use feet instead of hands

3) face away from each other.....

Source: Make Zoom Ball for Individuals with Autism by RecyclingOT on Rumble