While playing with balls can be super fun, it’s important to be safe and choose the right ball for your kiddo and their needs. According to Dr. Shafi, choking is the biggest concern. “I would not recommend any ball that is small enough to fit in a child's mouth, because they are choking hazards," she says. “Be careful with using hard balls with young children that may not be able to catch well, or likewise, may not be able to regulate their own strength or distance when playing ball.”