Catch, playing catch, playing pass, or having a catch, is one of the most basic children's games, often played between children or between a parent and child, wherein the participants throw a ball, beanbag, flying disc or similar object back and forth to each other.

[1] Many four-year-olds instinctively close their eyes when a ball is heading towards them, and it can take some time to overcome this.

Playing catch can help develop dexterity, coordination and confidence.

[1] Because playing catch requires at least two participants, and because participants can be substituted at any point during the game, catch can be used to place children in social situations where they will interact with each other.

[3] As children become more adept at the skills used to catch a thrown object and return it to the thrower, these skills are incorporated into more complex games played with larger groups of participants, such as hot potato, dodgeball, and keep away.