Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! From product to packaging, everything is designed in our studio/home in Brooklyn, New York.

It’s our award-winning hero product, a teether, bath toy, ball, and more, all in one! It’s safe, versatile, and designed for years of imaginative play, eliminating the need for multiple single-purpose toys and encouraging child-led exploration and open-ended play.

Similar to baby bottle nipples and the majority of baby pacifiers, b is for ball® is made with 100% FDA-compliant food-grade silicone. It's FREE of plastic, BPA, and phthalates, making it hypoallergenic and safe for little ones.

We suggest 6 months to 99 years old! (We even have a picture of a 78-year-old grandpa playing happily with his grandchildren.)

**A Side Note: Although we recommend b is for ball® for children aged 6 months and older, it has passed all safety tests for newborns as well.

Don't be fooled by its simple design! It's not just a ball. With its open-ended design, b is for ball® is versatile and grows with your child:

• Ages 0-1: It serves as a teether, fine motor skill trainer with its resistance and bounce, stacker, and squirty bath toy.
• Ages 1-2: It promotes gross motor skills through kicking and rolling, acts as an object permanence box, and serves as an outdoor playground toy.
• Ages 2-3: It becomes an early exploration tool for STEM and art-related activities. Children can draw on it, use it as a stamp, or as a water gun alternative during hot summer play.
• Ages 4+: It continues to be an open-ended toy that inspires limitless creativity, allowing kids to bring their imaginations to life.

So, it’s truly a simple tool that grows with your child.

It took us three years to develop and test our products. Our founder brought a bucket of prototypes to playgrounds all over New York City and Brooklyn, inviting kids to fun-test them firsthand.

We also observed babies interacting with the balls and interviewed hundreds of parents. We’re thrilled to report that kids and parents absolutely love it! We haven’t met a baby, toddler, or big kid willing to share their b is for ball® without a serious “sharing” talk—or battle.

Shall we say we’re officially New York–playground approved?

Any water-soluble markers can be used. We prefer non-toxic ones. DO NOT use Sharpies! If you have more than one child and the younger one is in the mouthing stage, please supervise the drawing activities to prevent the younger baby from mouthing the ball that was drawn on by their sibling. Another option is to designate a color ball for each child.

Yes, b is for ball® can be very helpful for children with sensory processing issues. Here are two major use cases we’ve gathered from talking to parents:

1. Sensory Basket Tool: Many parents include b is for ball® in their child’s sensory basket for when they feel overwhelmed. Designed to be durable and made from food-grade materials, it has undergone rigorous stress testing to ensure it can withstand distress over a long time. Even after three years of use as a stress ball for parents, the ball has retained its shape.

Aromatherapy: Some children respond particularly well to scents, which can help calm their minds. We suggest placing fresh fruit rind or herbs inside the ball, depending on what your child responds to best. When needed, they can squeeze the ball to release the calming scent.

The oldest child who has purchased our product with her own money is 11 years old.

Here are why she loved it: 

-She enjoys the novelty and sensory experience of drawing on the ball.

-She looks forward to putting different foods into the ball and learning about various smells.

Absolutely. With its open-ended design, kids of all ages can find ways to play that suit their imagination, storytelling, and methods of exploration. Some general uses for 3 and 6 year-old groups include using it as a water toy in the summer or as a perfect travel toy for beach vacations due to its lightweight and portable nature. Additionally, it integrates seamlessly with other open-ended toys and blocks, making it a valuable tool for STEM and art-related activities. The idea is to give them the tools to explore their creativity and ideas.

Yes! As a parent-owned brand, we are here to end the battle with what's going on inside squirty water toys. We made it an absolute priority throughout our design process to make b is for ball™ as easy to clean as possible.

b is for ball® is a two-piece toy that can be opened. You can choose to either hand wash the inside or place it in the dishwasher (top rack) for easy cleaning.

Yes and yes! Being able to do all three makes parents' jobs much easier, which is the main reason we chose food-safe silicone over natural rubber. Silicone is highly resistant to heat and cold. Freezing it as a cold teether can be soothing for fussy teething babies. If you wish to sterilize it in high heat or through boiling, that's perfectly fine as well. Both the lid and body of b is for ball® are dishwasher safe!

Undeniably, b is for ball® is a fan favorite as a bath toy, but we recommend exploring different usages as well. That said, we understand how fun it is for kids to use it in the tub!

- The humidity of the bathroom, combined with body fluids, sweat, and occasional accidents in the bath water, can create cleaning challenges. We understand how busy parents are, but we recommend at least running the ball under clean water after draining the bath water. Give it a little shake and open the lid for drying.

- Additionally, we suggest running all parts through a dishwasher cycle at least once a week for a thorough cleaning and peace of mind.

Of course! Disassemble the ball and gently scrub the insides with soap and water. Air dry it upside down on a dish rack and store it in a dry, airy space.

Only use water-soluble markers on b is for ball®. To clean the drawings, rinse the ball under water, and the marker should dissolve immediately. Alternatively, you can wipe the ball's surface with a wet wipe.

Yes.

Did you know that 90% of toys in the U.S. market are made of plastic, and the majority of them end up in landfills? Additionally, research shows that children have, on average, ten times more microplastics in their bodies than adults due to the heavy plastic nature of the toy industry. While the full degree of severity is not yet known, studies have linked microplastic exposure in early childhood to issues in the digestive, reproductive, central nervous, immune, and circulatory systems.

We made it our mission to eliminate plastic in our product!

Our packaging is made from FSC-certified paper, and our signature “L”-shaped hero packaging is crafted from recycled materials. We’re on a mission to make the toy box itself fun, functional, and reusable—whether as a toy, keepsake, or display piece. Its built-in versatility adds to the longevity of our product, reducing environmental waste. And when it’s finally outgrown, the packaging can be recycled—leaving you with one less toy taking up space.