Here is an inexpensive way to show infants and toddlers how to improve motor skills (learning how to use their hands) and cognitive skills (learning how to pay attention, think and remember what they learn). Wrap any soft ball in masking tape (or other tape), with the sticky side out. Wrap it and wrap it and wrap it.
Infants and toddlers who roll it around in their hands experiment with how to play with the ball, learning motor and cognitive skills. Older toddlers can roll the sticky ball around with their feet, too.