Ways to Wobbel 360
Oskar's Wooden Ark with @learnandbloom | June 20th, 2022
You may have heard of the Original Wobbel Board balance board, but have you given the Wobbel 360 a spin? If not, you may be asking yourself the following questions: What is the Wobbel 360? What is the difference between a Wobbel Board and a Wobbel 360? Is the Wobbel 360 worth the investment? How can a Wobbel 360 be used? Well, let's get to it!
What is a Wobbel 360?
The Wobbel 360 is a large curved wooden disc that is designed to support gross motor development while offering a whole host of unique play opportunities. Beautiful and robust, the Wobbel 360 is a 'toy' for all ages.
There is no right or wrong way to use the Wobbel 360. Sit on it, stand on it, wobble on it, spin around (and around) or attempt the 'Wobbel Walk'.
But the fun doesn't end there! As you'll see in this guide, the Wobbel 360 can be used for ball games, loose parts creations and imaginative play. Will your children use it as a sailing boat to sail to far-off lands, a bed for their dolls or a U.F.O. bound for Mars? Flip it over and it becomes a ramp for toy cars, a seat, a surface for small-world play or a stage for their next stellar performance. "Let it goooooo!"
And when they're feeling worn out from all that fun, you can pair your Wobbel 360 with one of our super comfy foam Wobbel 360 Decks to create the perfect cosy spot to read or relax.
Why invest in a Wobbel 360?
There is no denying that a genuine Wobbel is an investment, and you may be wondering if that investment is worth it.
The price tag on the Wobbel 360 is due to a number of factors - the high quality materials for a start. Made with many layers of the best European beech wood (FSC), before being stacked and pressed under high pressure with the addition of it's trademark curve, the Wobbel 360 can take weight of up to 200 kg; unlike cheaper varieties which are made and finished with raw plywood and are not built to withstand more than 70 kg.
All Wobbel products are made in Belgium, CE certified and safety tested to European and Australian standards. Several colour options are available depending on your preference, and the boards can be fitted with natural wool or felt, or natural cork. The EKO felt base is made in Italy from wool and water-based paints and is completely natural and free from synthetic chemicals. All Wobbel Boards are finished with a water-based, translucent lacquer to give them that smooth and shiny finish.
But perhaps the biggest reason to invest in a Wobbel 360 is for the incredible open-ended play possibilities that it offers...
How to play with a Wobbel 360?
A Wobbel Board can be anything and everything your child imagines it to be. We invited Jess (@learnandbloom), teacher and mum of four, to share some of the ways that she and her boys enjoy using their Wobbel 360 in their play.
Jess says: "The Wobbel 360 is suitable for all ages - from babies (with supervision) rolling balls on it, to adults practicing their balance as they spin around. Flip the Wobbel upside down and it becomes a ramp for cars, or anything the child comes up with. The possibilities are endless - the only limit being one's imagination!"
It is important to introduce children to a balance board under adult supervision and to set some clear guidelines for them in terms of safe use. Beware of fingers and toes at the edges. Provide at least two meters of free space around the Wobbel and place it on a flat, horizontal surface. Barefoot or non-slip shoes prevent slipping and are recommended.
Gross Motor & Active Play
Above all, the Wobbel 360 is designed to inspire movement for users of all ages - even adults! Use the 360 as a stand-alone resource for exercise (such as yoga) and play, or incorporate it into a circuit of multiple activities.
It works wonderfully for individual use, or even with a partner as a fun balance game, encouraging coordination and communication skills. We have even seen adults use the Wobbel 360 in a standing working environment.
Jess says: "I encourage my children to sit on it, walk with it, spin themselves or spin each other around! As children play and push themselves around, they learn to balance on it and improve their core strength."
Infant Play
Young children and infants naturally enjoy being rocked. The repetitive movements are both calming and familiar to them.
The gentle curve of the Wobbel 360 is perfect for little crawlers. They will love the challenge of getting up onto it and will find endless enjoyment in the inevitable rocking of the board, while also developing muscle strength and balance.
Allow your young child to explore the motion of the board. You can even encourage them to play with other toys on the board, such as the Mader Roly Poly Pear.
Rolling Balls
Balls and marbles work exceptionally well with the Wobbel 360. If rolled gently, the small lip around the edge of the board will stop the balls from rolling off completely, allowing your child to keep their toys contained to the board while they play.
Jess says: "Grimm's Wooden Balls are a great size for children to roll around on the Wobbel 360. For babies, this develops their visual tracking and hand-eye coordination skills as they try to grasp the balls."
Be sure to check the age recommendation of balls and marbles prior to use, and only allow your child to use them under adult supervision.
Ball Runs
Ball and marble runs are a family favourite and the Wobbel 360 makes for the perfect ball run base!
Assemble your ball run on the Wobbel 360 and put your ball or marble into the starting position. Encourage your child to grasp the edge of the board and tilt it to help the ball run it's course. This is a great way for your child to develop their hand-eye coordination, as well as test their patience! For an added challenge, add multiple balls.
Jess says: "We enjoy making a ball run using the Grimm's Rainbow and Wooden Balls with the Wobbel 360 as a base."
Pretend Play
The Wobbel 360 is a wonderful open-ended tool that can be used for anything and everything your child's imagination can conjure.
The board is great for movement, but it can be used for many other things besides - such as a picnic table!
Give your child a Wobbel 360 and we are sure that they will use it in ways that you might not have even thought of yourself.
Ramp
You can discover many more ways to incorporate the Wobbel 360 into your playtime by simply flipping it over!
Jess says: "Our favourite way to use the 360 upside down is as a ramp for Waytoplay Roads. My boys love to roll the cars up, down and across!"
Spinning Top Arena
Thanks to the curve of the Wobbel 360, it makes a perfect makeshift arena and plate for all those Mader Spinning Tops! How many can you spin at one time?
A marvellous Mader moment captured by @mumz.world
A mindful mandala moment captured by @woodentoyplay
Mandala Base
The Wobbel 360 works particularly well as a canvas for loose parts play and mandala creations.
Place your 360 on a flat surface before assembling your Grapat Loose Parts - a wonderful 'invitation to create' for children, or some well-deserved 'mindful me-time' for adults once the kids are in bed!
The Wobbel 360 is a truly versatile and open-ended resource that the whole family will benefit from. We hope this blog post has inspired you to add it to your wishlist, or given you some new ways to incorporate it into your next playtime!
