Ball pit balls are the part of a ball pit nobody thinks about until it's time to buy them. How many do you need? What size is safe? Which colours look good together, and how do you keep them clean? This guide answers all of it, whether you're filling a new ball pit, topping up an old one or replacing balls that have seen better days.
What size ball pit balls should you buy?
7cm is the standard size for baby and toddler ball pits, and it's the size we use in all of our ball pits. It's big enough for small hands to grab and throw, soft enough to land on, and large enough that children can wade through a pit without sinking straight to the bottom.
You'll see smaller 5.5cm and 6cm balls sold cheaply online. They need more balls to fill the same pit and feel less substantial underfoot. For babies and toddlers, stick to 7cm.
How many balls do you need for a ball pit?
It depends on the size of the pit and how full you like it. A baby is happiest in a shallow layer they can sit in and play with. An older toddler wants enough depth to burrow and "swim". As a guide, here's what we pair with each of our ball pits:
| Ball pit | Size | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Round ball pit | 90cm across, 30 or 40cm high | 200 to 300 |
| XXL round ball pit | 100cm across, 40cm high | 300 to 400 |
| Large square ball pit | 106 x 106cm, 40cm high | 400 to 600 |
| Pastel Play Ball Pit | 130 x 130cm | 500 and up |
Our rule of thumb: start with the lower number for babies under 12 months, and go for the higher number for toddlers or for pits shared by more than one child. You can always add more later with a 500 pack of ball pit balls.
Topping up an existing ball pit
Ball pits slowly "lose" balls. They end up under sofas, in toy boxes and in the garden, and a few get squashed over time. If your pit looks thin, a 500 pack is usually enough to top up a round pit and bring a large square pit back to a proper depth.
Choosing ball pit colours
Colour is where you can make a ball pit look like part of the room rather than a toy dumped in the corner. A few combinations that always work:
- Soft neutrals: white, pearl, beige and gold. Calm, stylish and perfect for living rooms.
- Pastels: pink, blue, mint and yellow. Bright enough for little ones, soft enough for grown-ups.
- Pink tones: white, light pink, pink and pearl. A favourite for a baby girl's first ball pit.
- Primary colours: red, yellow, green and blue. Great for colour sorting games and nurseries.
- Add a little sparkle: mix in transparent balls to lighten any colour scheme.
Our ball pit balls 500 pack comes in Pastel, White, Primary, Dark Green, Orange and Transparent, so you can mix packs to build your own palette. With our ball pits, you choose up to four colours and add them in the notes when you order.
Are ball pit balls safe for babies?
Good quality ball pit balls are safe for babies sitting up unaided, with an adult nearby. When you buy, look for:
- 7cm diameter, so balls are a comfortable size for small hands.
- Crush-resistant plastic that springs back into shape rather than cracking into sharp edges.
- Phthalate-free materials and testing to EN 71 toy safety standards.
- Smooth, seamless balls with no raised ridges.
Check balls every so often and throw away any that are cracked or split. And always supervise young children in a ball pit. For more on choosing a pit, read our ball pits for babies and toddlers buying guide.
How to clean ball pit balls
Little hands and mouths mean balls need a regular clean. The easiest way:
- Tip the balls into a bath or large storage tub.
- Fill with warm water and a squirt of mild washing-up liquid, or a child-safe antibacterial cleaner.
- Swish them around for a few minutes, then rinse with clean water.
- Spread them out on towels, or hang them in a mesh laundry bag, until completely dry.
For a quick clean between washes, wipe over the top layer with an antibacterial wipe. While the balls are out, unzip the ball pit cover and wash it too. See our guide to cleaning foam soft play.
Ball pit balls for nurseries, parties and hire
If a ball pit is used by lots of children, plan for more balls and more cleaning. Nurseries and soft play hire businesses often keep a second set of balls so one set can be washed and dried while the other is in use. Our Soft Play Party Set includes a ball pit with 500 balls, and a 500 pack makes an ideal spare set.
Shop ball pit balls and ball pits
- Ball Pit Balls 500 Pack, 7cm: £91, in six colourways
- Velvet round ball pit with 200 to 300 balls
- Cotton square ball pit with 400 to 600 balls
- All ball pits
Every order comes with free UK delivery.
Ball pit balls FAQs
How many balls do I need for a ball pit?
For a 90cm round ball pit, 200 to 300 balls. For a 100cm round pit, 300 to 400. For a large 106cm square pit, 400 to 600. Use fewer for babies and more for toddlers who like to burrow.
What size are ball pit balls?
7cm is the standard size for baby and toddler ball pits. Smaller balls are available but you need more of them, and they feel less substantial.
Are ball pit balls safe for babies?
Yes, once a baby can sit up unaided and with an adult supervising. Choose 7cm, crush-resistant, phthalate-free balls and throw away any that crack.
How do you clean ball pit balls?
Soak them in warm water with mild washing-up liquid or a child-safe cleaner, rinse, then dry on towels or in a mesh laundry bag.
Can I buy ball pit balls on their own?
Yes. Our 500 pack of 7cm balls is sold separately for filling, topping up or replacing balls in any ball pit.