Exploring the world of soccer balls
At the heart of every dribble, pass and goal in the game of soccer is the soccer ball — the true star of the show. Let’s explore the interesting world of this sport — with soccer ball clipart, coloring pages and a variety of fun and engaging activities.
What makes a soccer ball so special?
⚽️ Soccer ball design
Soccer balls are designed to be durable, easy to see, and just the right size for players to control with their feet. The traditional soccer ball is made up of 32 panels — 12 black pentagons and 20 white hexagons. This design makes the ball spherical and ensures it moves smoothly in any direction when kicked.
The black and white pattern was originally chosen to make the ball more visible on black and white TV, but it has become iconic in the soccer world.
⚽️ Inside of a soccer ball
Beneath its panels, the soccer ball hides layers of materials like rubber and fabric, which help it keep its shape and bounce evenly. The air inside the ball also plays a crucial role. A properly inflated soccer ball can travel faster and more predictably, making the game more exciting and fair.
When you kick a soccer ball, you’re unleashing energy and precision, turning a simple game into an art form.
⚽️ VIDEO: “How to Shoot a Soccer Ball for Kids and Beginners”
10 fun facts about soccer balls
- Earliest versions: Ancient civilizations played games resembling soccer with balls made from animal bladders or skins.
- Evolution: Soccer balls have evolved from heavy leather balls to lightweight synthetic ones, improving the game’s speed and safety.
- World Cup stars: Each FIFA World Cup introduces a new, specially designed soccer ball, often featuring cutting-edge technology.
- Colorful history: While black and white is classic, modern soccer balls come in various colors and designs, reflecting teams’ identities.
- Perfect pressure: The ideal air pressure for a soccer ball is between 8.5 to 15.6 psi, balancing bounce and control.
- Environmental kick: Some soccer balls are made from eco-friendly materials, promoting sustainability in sports.
- Space dribbles: A soccer ball was even taken to space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1985!
- Record breakers: The fastest recorded soccer ball kick is 131 mph, showcasing the power players can unleash.
- Size matters: Soccer balls come in different sizes, catering to various age groups and ensuring everyone can play.
- Global reach: More than 40 million soccer balls are produced in Sialkot, Pakistan, a major center for manufacturing.
Crafting with a kick
Soccer isn’t just for the field; it can inspire a world of creativity off the pitch. Here are five soccer-themed craft ideas to spark your child’s imagination and keep their hands busy.
- Soccer ball suncatcher
- Cut a black and white soccer ball pattern from construction paper.
- Fill the gaps with tissue paper for a stained glass effect.
- Hang it in a sunny window to see the colors come alive.
- Personalized soccer pennants
- Create a pennant template and let your child decorate it with their favorite team colors, names, or slogans.
- Attach to a stick or string for a fun room decoration.
- Soccer ball piggy bank
- Use a round, white piggy bank and paint black pentagons to mimic a soccer ball.
- It’s a creative way to save up for soccer gear or team jerseys.
- Soccer field placemat
- Laminate a large piece of green paper marked like a soccer field.
- It’s perfect for meal times and can double as a play mat for toy soccer games.
- Soccer ball coasters
- Cut circles from thick felt and decorate them to look like mini soccer balls.
- These coasters are great for game-day drinks or as a gift for soccer-loving family members.
- DESCRIPTION: Material: Wood. Size: Approx. 3.94x3.94x0.1 inch / 10x10x0.25 cm. Made of good natural wood , laser cut and polished.
- FEATURE: Wooden soccer shaped design hanging ornaments with ropes. Perfect for using as coasters, tags, party board, classroom board.
- USAGE: Each wood piece was well polished, blank wood slices are ready to be paint and write, you may stain, drill, curve and decorate them as you like.
- GREAT DECORATION: You can just used them for decorate your parties, dances, ceremonies or any special occasion. These charming ornaments will surely add festive atmosphere to your...
Learning goals in play
Soccer can be more than physical activity; it can be a rich source of learning and development. Here are five activities that use a soccer ball to teach valuable skills.
- Counting kicks
- Practice counting by having your child count each kick as they dribble or pass the ball.
- Color and pattern recognition
- Use a soccer ball coloring page to identify and discuss different colors and patterns.
- Geography game
- Attach country names to soccer balls and have children match them with their continents, fostering global awareness.
- Physics of soccer
- Explore simple physics concepts by observing how a soccer ball moves on different surfaces or at different speeds.
- Teamwork and sharing
- Organize a small soccer game to teach the importance of teamwork, taking turns, and supporting each other.
- ⚽You'll receive 24 soccer stickers, featuring 12 beloved cartoon sport star characters. These stickers are perfect for kids of all ages and make a great gift for soccer sports...
- ⚽Our soccer-themed design captures attention with its energetic expressions and accessories. It inspires children to unleash their creativity by decorating their books, bedrooms, gift...
- ⚽Our stickers are made with good quality waterproof materials, guaranteeing safety and reusability. Say goodbye to worries about making mistakes -these stickers are designed to bring...
- ⚽Our Soccer-themed party stickers are loved by children of all ages and perfect for various occasions like birthdays, Soccer gatherings, crafts, and classroom rewards. Get ready to...
All of these printable coloring pages of soccer balls (known as a football in most countries outside the US) can be colored any way you like… even if they’re traditionally black and white.
Large printable soccer ball coloring pages
Small soccer ball coloring printables – set of 4
Soccer ball cake toppers/party decorations
Colorful soccer ball clipart
A world of stories about soccer for kids
The world of soccer is rich with stories, legends and lessons that go beyond the game. Exploring books about soccer can introduce children to diverse cultures, historical moments, and inspiring individuals who have left their mark on this global sport.
Whether it’s a biography of a legendary player or a fictional tale set on the soccer field, there’s a book out there to capture the imagination of every young reader.
- Hoena, Blake (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 64 Pages - 05/27/2014 (Publication Date) - National Geographic Kids (Publisher)
- Herman, Steve (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 39 Pages - 08/16/2017 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
- Hardcover Book
- Sports Illustrated Kids (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 48 Pages - 05/16/2017 (Publication Date) - Sports Illustrated Kids (Publisher)
- Berenstain, Mike (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages - 01/05/2016 (Publication Date) - HarperCollins (Publisher)
- Berglund, Bruce (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages - 01/01/2024 (Publication Date) - Picture Window Books (Publisher)
