Naomi got this balance board last week. It is one of her favorite things now. The first time she got on it we had to explain to her how to put her feet on the board so that they are in a good position for balancing. Since that point she quickly figured out how to rock herself back and forth and then balance her body on the board. It is a great tool for helping preschoolers and early elementary age kids to master their physical selves.
I can't think of a "do it yourself" way of accomplishing this unless you are good with wood. I know there are other toys out there with a similar goal of helping kids learn to balance. Of course there are the no toy methods of putting a tape line on the floor and having them walk carefully on the line. You can also have them practice balancing on one leg and then the other. Naomi loves doing this. We have one of those hop along balls but it is still too big for her to use. She is also very excited about jump ropes but that will be a while before she can actually do it herself the way it is meant to be used.
It is also fun to sing and dance while balancing.
Daphne also enjoys the balance board but we usually have to help her adjust her feet and then hold her hands while she tries to balance. Surprisingly, she has been able to balance herself a couple times without holding on.
