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Step 1
Prepare your brain with basic mind games. The game of "Connect Four" and "Focus Near/Far" are great mind games for hand-eye coordination. "Connect Four" is a game of visual planning and organization. Players drop red and black checkers into rows and attempt to become the first player to get four of the same colored checkers in a row either horizontally, vertically or diagonally. An even better game for hand-eye coordination is "Focus Near/Far." The game is just like it sounds. Place two objects away from you (one close and one far away). Quickly shift your focus from the near object to the far object and back to the near object: shift back and forth for 10 minutes.
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Step 2
Grab a large Wiffle ball or softball. Make sure the ball is white. Scribble a collection of random letters on the ball with a black marker. Find someone who will play catch with you. Stand close to each other, about 5 to 10 feet away (depending on how successful you are). Call out the last letter you see as the ball travels toward you, just as you're about to catch it.
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Step 3
Play "Advanced Catch," a tougher exercise than the one above that doesn't require a partner. Grab a ball (baseball size or smaller), lie down flat on your back, and toss the ball repeatedly up and down. Another option is to stand up, grab two balls (the smaller they are, the more challenging), and rotate tossing right then left, right then left against the wall. This forces you to focus on catching one ball while throwing another one. Practice this once a day if possible.
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Step 4
Take on the role of a goalie. Goalies have to stop an object from getting past them and into the net. Create a makeshift net and find a friend to challenge you. The smaller the ball, the more difficult it is to stop it. Start with something large like a softball-sized Nerf ball. The opponent will try to score while you attempt to stop the ball from scoring. You can only use your hands, so stopping thee ball with your arms, chest, legs or feet does not count.
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Step 5
Participate in a racquet sport. While all of the above exercises are great for improving hand-eye coordination, you may get bored quickly or not notice an immediate change. This is natural and only a part of the struggle. Racquet sports are enjoyable because you get to play against a friend and compete, and they also really improve hand-eye coordination. Tennis is a good choice, but ping-pong is even better. Remember, the smaller the ball and smaller the racquet the better.
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Step 6
Play video games, even if it sound absurd. I know what you are thinking: "finally, the excuse I needed to tell my parents video games are healthy." You're right, at least in the world of hand-eye coordination. Video games will improve basic motor skills. However, it's important to not neglect physical activity altogether, as it's still the preferred method for improving hand-eye coordination.
