I consider myself “lucky” when it comes to my two children (who are not adults). They were easy going. My daughter was into arts and crafts, dolls, reading and watching movies. My son was into playing with his toy trucks and cars. They weren’t very “physical” when it came to being at home (they both were in sports outside the home). I am grateful that I never had to worry about them breaking any of my fine collectibles.
Fast forward to these days. I am the site director for a YMCA program. I have children in my care from ages 5-12. I have A LOT of active and “wild” children. They love to be physically active, and that is a good thing.
We have many sports balls and other sporting equipment, but I always worry about someone getting hurt because they play so rough with one another. I must say “no head shots” and “don’t throw so hard” at least a dozen times a day. I don’t know what their obsession is with throwing a ball at each other’s heads, or so hard.
At times I will blow up a bunch of balloons and leave them out for the kids to play with. It makes ME feel better because I know no one is getting hurt, and I don’t have to tell them to be careful or gentle. After all, it’s a balloon.
One of their favorite games to play is “keep it up” where they try to keep balloons up in the air and not let them touch the ground. Still… a balloon is not a ball. You can easily toss a balloon back and forth without it floating all over.
Recently I was sent to review a product that acts like a ball but is gentle like a balloon. Let me introduce you to Ollyball.
Ollyball is an award winning brand of eco-friendly and sustainably-made full-force balls for indoor and outdoor activities It was invented by “dadpreneur” Joe Burke, who had seen enough spilled coffee and broken items from his kids’ indoor play.
It was even featured on QVC!
Check out this brief video about Ollyball.
Designed for full-speed and full-force indoor play, safely practice those sports skills confidently without having to watch out for damaging furniture, others, or even oneself! The Ollyball weighs less than an ounce and is made to absorb shock.
Ollyballs are easy to inflate and deflate. It’s designed to do so over and over again, up to 100 times.
Children can personalize their Ollyball using crayons and markers (it’s like having a “color-your-own” ball!).
Ollyball has received numerous industry awards, including being a winner of the prestigious Toy of the Year from the New York International Toy Fair
Over 900,000+ Ollyballs have been sold worldwide.
I received a few Ollyballs to review with my “work kids.” I received the brand’s “Girl Power” Ollyball, Ollyball “Twilight,” and the original Ollyball.
So far we’ve been using the original Ollyball. I have the “Girl Power” Ollyball to my daughter who works with autistic children and children with behavior issues. She works with a young girl that would enjoy the Ollyball (plus she can play with her inside). Due to inclement weather and the little girl being sick, at the time I am writing this, my daughter has not been able to use it with her, so I am unable to provide feedback on that aspect.
Ollyball is easy to inflate. It comes with a straw that you use to inflate the ball.
To inflate the Ollyball you first need to crinkle it up before you inflate it. This helps that ball have a “crunchy” feel to it (trust me, kids love this about the ball). Then using the straw, insert it into the lining and blow it up (you have to twist the straw around a bit). Blow it up about half way. Stop and crinkle it up some more before blowing it up the rest of the way. Once you are done inflating it, remove the straw and pinch the insert hole closed, then tuck the piece the straw was in inside the ball and you are ready to have fun.
It was very easy to blow up. It was like blowing up a balloon. If you can do that, you can blow up an Ollyball.
I was surprised at how lightweight this ball is. It’s not as light as a balloon, but it’s certainly lighter than any ball we have at work. I think it weighs less than a tennis ball!
Unlike a balloon, the Ollyball IS a ball, and you can use it as such. You can toss it, hit it, and even kick it. It’s a fun ball for kids that parents (or caregivers) can feel good about because it’s not going to do any damage, nor will it hurt a child if they accidently get hit in the face with it.
My ‘work kids” took to the Ollyball instantly They have been playing with it every day and it’s bee able to hold up to all they have been doing with it.
The kids like to use the Ollyball to play “keep it up,” the same game they play with the balloons. They have also used it to play volleyball, “ga-ga ball,” tossing it back and forth and some other games that they have made up.
I cannot share photos of my “work kids,” which is why I had to blur out the faces (sorry).
I haven’t let the kids color the Ollyball (yet), only because I don’t want any fighting over who gets to color it. For now the ball is blank. You can see some of the fun designs your child can color in the top photo.
We haven’t use the Twilight ball yet. The weather hasn’t been suitable for us to go outside and play. Once the weather is nicer, and I can get the kids outside, we’ll take that ball outside to play with. The Twilight has glow-in-the-dark features.
As a parent, and someone who works with children, I cannot say enough great things about the Ollyball. It’s fun, it’s affordable, and it’s safe for indoor/outdoor play. It’s such a great idea. It’s one of those “why didn’t anyone think of it sooner” sort of thing.
If you are interested in learning more about these or other Ollyballs, visit the brand online at Ollyball.com. You can purchase Ollyballs on the brand’s website, as well as on Amazon.
Kimberly
*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.