🏅2025 Influencers Choice Award - Toy Association & Clamour PR
🏅2025 Kids Choice Award - 2025 Australian Toy Fair
🏅2024 STEAM Accredited - STEAM Certification
🏅2024 Good Play - 2024 Good Play Guide Pick
🏅2021 Top Fun Award - Tillywig
🏅2020 Best Product.com Award
🏅2020 Family Choice Award
🏅2019 Boy's Life Top Toy
🏅2019 Toy of the Year - New York International Toy Fair
🎖U.S. Utility Patent No. 10,953,289
🎖U.S. Utility Patent No. 10,179,266
🎖U.S. Utility Patent Pending 2025
🎖International Patents Pending 2024
Ollyball®, Keepy Uppy®, Play Ball in the House®, Ultimate Indoor Play Ball®, and KrunchCOR® are Registered Trademarks
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Ollyball Launches Exclusive Full-Force Indoor Sports Line Nationwide at DICK'S Sporting Goods This Fall
Ollyball continues aggressive growth with five new Full-Force Sport Ollyballs with matching gear
EAGLE, Idaho, Sept. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This fall, Ollyball®, the brand behind the #1 indoor play ball in America, is launching its Full-Force Indoor Sports line in all DICK'S Sporting Goods stores nationwide. This groundbreaking line extension is a game-changer for families seeking safe, skill-building, full-speed sports experiences—created for full-force indoor play. The launch brings inventor and Founder Joe Burke back to the origins of Ollyball, where he created and patented Ollyball's KrunchCOR® technology, allowing his daughter to play volleyball and soccer safely at home.
The Revolution in Indoor Sports
Recognized globally, Ollyball is protected with four utility patents, two new patents pending, and has earned nine U.S. and International Awards, including Toy of the Year at the New York International Toy Fair, cementing its status as a must-have in homes, schools, and recreational centers; and most recently earning a 2025 Kid's Choice Award at the Australian Toy Fair along side iconic brands such as LEGO, Pokémon and Disney; and the 2025 Influencers Choice Award.
"As a former college athlete, and youth sports coach, we know how important it is for kids to try out multiple sports and to play," said Joe Burke, Co-Founder of Ollyball. "This partnership with DICK'S Sporting Goods helps us reach more families and early adopters of sports who want to build skills, watch our training videos and learn basic and proper technique. We currently developing full-force indoor Ollyballs for every sport."
Introducing the Ollyball Full-Force Indoor Sports Line
Ollyball Full-Force Baseball with Patent-Pending Auto-Grip™ Bat
Engineered for beginner success, this set allows even the youngest players to improve swing mechanics instantly, gaining success with the included 12" shock-absorbing baseball-themed Ollyball. The Auto-Grip™ Bat corrects common swing flaws like "rolling over" while building muscle memory and confidence.
Ollyball Full-Force Pickleball Set
Indoor pickleball just got an upgrade. Featuring lightweight paddles and a specially designed award-winning Ollyball, two-piece durable, and patented KrunchCOR® shock-absorbing Ollyball Pickleball, this set encourages rapid reaction, control, and technique development.
Ollyball Full-Force Soccer with Wall Targets
Perfect for future strikers and midfielders, this set includes the award-winning Ollyball, two-piece, durable, and patented KrunchCOR® shock-absorbing Ollyball Soccer Ball. Paired with removable, wall-safe targets, kids can practice dribbling, shooting, and footwork at home—rain or shine.
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Keepy Uppy™ by Ollyball Wins Prestigious 2025 Influencer Award from Clamour & The Toy Association; Announces Fall 2025 Launch at Target Stores
EAGLE, Idaho, June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Keepy Uppy™ by Ollyball, (KeepyUppy.com), the innovative and beloved active-play ball that's becoming an everyday plaything with families and sports enthusiasts, announces its latest triumph: the 2025 Influencer Award presented by Clamour and The Toy Association. The influencers' votes were tallied, and Keepy Uppy™ by Ollyball was awarded a 2025 Influencer Favorite out of hundreds of products reviewed by impartial and independent industry influencers.
Coinciding with this honor, Keepy Uppy™ by Ollyball will expand its retail footprint with a Fall 2025 launch at Target Stores nationwide, making it even more available for families to enjoy this high-energy, screen-free activity.
A Legacy of Momentum
Since its debut, Keepy Uppy™ by Ollyball has soared in popularity, blending athletic fun with family bonding. The product is patented and made Ollyball which currently ranks as the #1 Indoor Play Ball in America.
Key milestones include:
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NBA All-Star Weekend Feature: Showcased in Salt Lake City, capturing the attention of sports fans and earning a glowing write-up in Hyno Magazine.
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2025 Jake Plummer Challenge: The Keepy Uppy™ ball and challenge was conducted in concert with a nonprofit event with over 200 attendees from local and Title I schools. Each participant had the opportunity to take the Keepy Uppy™ Challenge and received a free ball.
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2025 New York International Toy Fair: An interactive event centerpiece, with viral videos now circulating across social media and digital platforms.
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Amazon Top Seller: Consistently ranked among the platform's best-selling outdoor games, praised for its durability and universal appeal.
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Play, Compete, Connect. Fans can dive deeper into the Keepy Uppy™ community via its official website, www.keepyuppy.com, which hosts exclusive contests and challenges to keep play fresh and exciting.
Play with a Purpose
According to Christina Eromenok, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT), "Keepy Uppy isn't just fun, it's a quick and playful way connect. In just a few minutes, it builds focus, emotional regulation, and teamwork between you and your child. No rules, no pressure! Just laughter, movement, and a conversation without words."
From Parents to Patents
"Thank you so much for The Influencer Award from Clamour and The Toy Association," said Joe Burke, Inventor and Founder and Inventor of Ollyball. "The Award paired with our upcoming Target launch, underscores our mission to get families moving, laughing, and creating memories together. This entire quest started our own kids trying to safely play ball in the house, and it continues to unite people through play."
Keepy Uppy™ by Ollyball is currently available at local Toy Stores, KeepyUppy.com amazon.com and will hit Target shelves nationwide in Fall 2025. The Keepy Uppy™ ball is currently a top seller on Amazon and select specialty retailers.
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Ollyball Wins a 'Toy of the Year' at TOTY Awards
NEW YORK, February 16, 2019 (Newswire.com) - The Ollyball, made by VICTURY Sports, was awarded a “Toy of the Year” at the 19th annual Toy Association Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards, in the Rookie of the Year category.
The annual award ceremony, known as the "Oscars" of the toy industry, was held on Feb. 15, 2019, on the eve of the 116th North American International Toy Fair. More than 700 nominees from over 250 companies were nominated for the awards. Winners were selected based on votes from major and specialty toy retailers, media, Toy Association members and consumers. The criteria used was based on a product’s creativity, design, play value, and marketing.
The Ollyball, dubbed the “Ultimate Indoor Play Ball,” was invented and patented by Joseph Burke, a former creative at Disney Store and Goodwill Industries. In their acceptance speech, Burke and his wife Ellen praised the Toy Association and credited their children as the spark to solve parents' age-old complaint, "don't play ball in the house!"
The Ollyball was a ball designed for full-speed, full-force indoor play. The ball weighs less than an ounce, absorbs shock through patented KrunchCOR® construction and is re-inflatable. The outer shell of the Ollyball features cartoon drawings that can be colored with crayons and most markers. (Ages 4+ MSRP: $14.99)
VICTURY Sports will be showing at the Jacob J. Javitz Center from Feb. 16-18, 2019. The company is holding live demonstrations of three new toys including their VICTURY Soccer ball, already recognized as a "2018 Toy Fair Top 12 Best Toy" by Fatherly.com.
About VICTURY Sports
VICTURY Sports introduces a new category of indoor sports and play products. VICTURY was founded by Joseph Burke, his wife Ellen Burke, an educator in Special Education, and John Burke, a 2X NSCAA National Soccer Coach of the Year. Learn more at VICTURY.com.
Media Contact:
Chantell Sturt
Email: csturt@eucalyptusmediagroup.com
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Ollyball Wins
Kids’ Choice Awards
Kids’ Choice Junior and Kids’ Choice Awards
The Kids’ Choice Junior award and Kids’ Choice Award proudly sponsored by Just Kidding are handed out to new and exciting products that our judging panel predicts will be a success in the Australian market in the year ahead.
The Just Kidding junior journalists spent hours testing the latest and greatest for the 4-6 and 7-12 age groups, before deciding on the 2025 winners.
https://austoy.com.au/toy-fair/2025-awards-winners/kids-choice-awards/
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Ollyball & NBALAB Launching the 'All-Star Ollyball Keepy Uppy Challenge'
Family fun game coming to NBA Crossover
Ollyball NBA Keepy Uppy Challenge
SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VICTURY Sports, maker of Ollyball®, announces they have signed a deal with NBALAB to design and roll out Ollyball NBA Team Editions of its award-winning and patented indoor play ball. Ollyball and NBALAB will preview the relationship during NBA All Star 2023 weekend in Salt Lake City, Feb. 17-19.
The event, titled "The All-Star Ollyball Keepy Uppy Challenge," is part of NBA Crossover, which is a multi-day interactive fan event that brings basketball culture to the forefront. Attendees will perform a "Keepy Uppy'' Challenge Game with results shared on social media. 1,000 limited-edition All-Star Ollyballs will be given away at the event for the top "Keepy Uppy" performers.
"Ollyball has been on a collision course with the NBA for a mashup, one that will bring full-force indoor play and the NBA brand into the homes of all kids with love for the game," said Joe Burke, the inventor and owner of Ollyball."
Burke holds two U.S. Utility Patents for Ollyball, a "crunchy" ball that comprises a KrunchCOR® bladder interior and high-performance kite-like outer material, making it safe to throw indoors. The shock-absorbing ball weighs less than an ounce and inflates with a straw-like device.
"NBALAB always looks for unique brands and creative products to partner with, and we found both with Ollyball," said Eric Perugini, Chief Commercial Officer at NBALAB. "We can't wait for fans to take the 'All-Star Ollyball Keepy Uppy Challenge' at NBA Crossover this year and walk away with a free NBA All-Star Ollyball."
Ollyball has received numerous industry awards, including winning the prestigious Toy of the Year from the New York International Toy Fair. The family brand of eco-friendly and sustainably made full-force balls for indoor and outdoor activities features inflatable balls that kids can color with markers and crayons to make them their own.
Quickly becoming the most popular indoor play ball, Ollyball has sold in 14 countries, in over 2,000 retailers and is a Best-Selling Kickball on Amazon. For more information, visit www.ollyball.com.
About VICTURY Sports
VICTURY Sports, maker of Ollyball, introduces a new category of full-force indoor sports and play products. Ollyball is the Ultimate Indoor Play Ball, winner of a Toy of the Year and was awarded two U.S. Utility Patents, international patents pending, and five registered trademarks in 14 countries. Follow Ollyball on Instagram @theollyball.
About NBA Lab
The NBALAB is a disruptive research and development incubator focused on innovative design, imaginative concepts and strategic partnerships. Founded in 2015 to facilitate product expansion for the NBA's Global Licensing Group, the NBALAB experiments with a variety of consumer goods as well as new product categories in collaboration with hand-picked companies and individuals who are making noise in their respective fields.
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Alumnus wins Toy of the Year Award with Ollyball
It was sparked by a spaghetti spill.
Joe Burke’s daughter was practicing her soccer skills in the house when she knocked over a plate of the Italian dish and stained the family’s new couch.
Burke didn’t want to discourage his three kids from being active, even in the house, so he set out to find a solution. Since that 2014 marinara mess, Burke ’89 (graphic design) grew determined to invent a less destructive way to play ball in the house — an endeavor that is bearing fruit. He created and patented the Ollyball, a lightweight, durable ball designed for full-speed indoor play that simulates the outdoor experience while leaving windows, walls and decor unharmed.
“It became an obsession,” said Burke, who encountered many late nights making hand-sewn prototypes.
The RIT alumnus who embraced the idea of kids playing ball in the house was rewarded for the daring approach. Burke’s Ollyball won the Rookie of the Year category at the 2019 Toy Association’s Toy of the Year Awards — known as the “Oscars of the toy industry.”
The event was held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City, with executives from toy titans such as Hasbro, LEGO and Mattel in attendance. Criteria for the honors are based on products’ creativity and originality, design and quality, play value, marketing and promotion and sales and marketplace acceptance.
Weighing less than an ounce and constructed with patented KrunchCOR® shock cushion, the Ollyball keeps the interior of homes safe from damage. And when it’s not being used for sports activity, like soccer and volleyball practice, the ball is also a canvas that can be colored with crayons and markers.
“I never gave up on it. I always knew there was something there,” Burke said of the Ollyball. “For some reason, I knew that if the kids liked it, the parents would love it and they would buy it, and that’s what’s happening.”
The Ollyball is made by VICTURY Sports, Burke and his wife Ellen’s Los Angeles-based company that produces sports and play equipment for indoor use. Prior to starting VICTURY Sports, Burke owned two other companies and was a marketing executive at the Disney Store and Goodwill Industries.
Burke said RIT supplied him with the skills needed to invent, patent, design, market and build a toy company. The Ollyball is being sold at retail and online stores such as Amazon and Learning Express Toys, which named the Ollyball the No. 1 selling toy in some of its stores this spring. Burke can’t help but relate the product’s success to his days in the graphic design program.
“I have fond memories of RIT,” Burke said. “It is a place that I believe is a playground for entrepreneurs and innovators. … RIT had the resources for my obsessions to manifest.”
One particular principle Burke learned at RIT that he said he still routinely applies is gestalt — the idea of multiple parts being so integrated that they are perceived as one object.
“I use it every single day, not only in design, but also in marketing, product design and ultimately strategy,” Burke said of gestalt, taught to him by former graphic design faculty Heinz Klinkon. “I absolutely look at the world differently because of the experiences I had (at RIT) and what I learned. Innovation is looking at things differently. RIT taught me how to look at things differently, and see 'the more' in everything.”
With creative spirit all around him, Burke said he couldn’t help but be inspired at RIT. Being in an effervescent environment furthered his curiosity as a creative and entrepreneur who grew up running his own car-wash and lawn-mowing services and took on freelance design jobs throughout college.
Burke found comfort in grinding through late-night hours in the studio at RIT — a mindset he again called upon when building VICTURY Sports.
“It was the instructors, the facilities, the studios,” Burke said of what made RIT an impactful place. “I would stay there until all hours of the night. (Making the Ollyball) brought me back to those days. It was the same spirit I had back then that took me to a kitchen table late at night trying to build a ball that you could play with in the house.”
Burke advises current and future students in the College of Art and Design to “make the most of the time at RIT, take advantage of resources and get up early, get to the studio and stay late. Champions are made in the lonely hours.”
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Ollyball Bounces Full STEAM Ahead Into the 2023 New York International Toy Fair
NEW YORK, September 27, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Ollyball®, a “Toy of the Year'' Winning Colorable Indoor Play Ball made by VICTURY Sports, unveils its new STEAM Editions at this year’s 2023 New York International Toy Fair. The brand will exhibit the latest line along with its best-selling range of Ollyballs at Booth #3255 in New York from Sept. 30 through Oct. 3. This marks the brand’s first STEAM-accredited line of educational playthings for schools, educators and homeschoolers.
Ollyball, the fastest-growing indoor play ball, teamed up with Dr. Amanda Gummer's toy education team to create a series of STEAM Edition Ollyballs. The first editions are Olllyball MATH, Ollyball SCIENCE (Physics Lesson) and Ollyball ART; all available in 2024.
“About a year ago, we started seeing schools and learning centers order 24 Ollyballs at a time. We reached out to them and learned that they use Ollyball for active indoor recess and to facilitate learning,” said inventor Joe Burke. “We asked educators what lessons they wanted to teach and got the best team together and brought these to life. Each student gets their own Ollyball to color-in and follow the lesson plans.”
The STEAM Edition Ollyball line has been peer-reviewed to ensure best practices and the activities are optimized for learning. Written by Antonia Llull, MOT, OTR/L and a team of education professionals, the lesson plans maximize the educational benefits of Ollyball and meet relevant learning objectives.
Ollyball MATH consists of five micro lessons using the colorable math-themed Ollyball to support a fun, multi-sensory, active learning experience covering 3D Shapes, Volume, Angles, Area of Perimeter, Numbers and Operations.
Ollyball PHYSICS allows each student to interact hands-on with experiments that teach the science principles of "Force,” "Velocity" and the "Coefficient of Restitution." The program provides guidance to coax further curiosity and learning through physical play combined with scientific practices.
Ollyball ART explores master artists and allows students to "color-by-number" the masterworks of Vincent Van Gogh, Piet Mondrian and Katsuschika Hokusai. The Ollyball ART program also shows how technology impacts the arts with its own original NFT on the Ollyball and a QR Code to unlock the learnings. All programs include a booklet for each student to follow.
Ollyball’s Patented KrunchCOR® construction also offers a tactile “crunch” benefit. Ollyball is for kids, teens and adults with educational and learning challenges and is safe for indoors with its patented construction.
About Ollyball:
Ollyball, winner of a Toy of the Year, is the Ultimate Indoor/Outdoor Play Ball. Ollyball was awarded two U.S. Utility Patents, international patents pending, and five registered trademarks in 22 countries.
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The Ultimate Indoor Play Ball – Ollyball Review
If you’ve ever found yourself constantly reminding your kids not to play ball in the house, you’re not alone. Most parents have dealt with the inevitable worry of something getting knocked over, a window getting smashed, or furniture taking an unexpected hit. But what if I told you that there’s finally a solution that lets your kids play full-speed and full-force indoors without any of those concerns? Enter Ollyball, the ultimate indoor play ball designed for safe, unrestricted fun!
What is Ollyball?
Ollyball from Character Toys is not your average ball. It is specifically designed for indoor play, meaning your kids can enjoy the thrill of a real ball game right in the comfort of your home without the usual risks. Thanks to its patented KrunchCOR® construction, Ollyball absorbs impact like magic, making it soft and safe while still delivering an authentic play experience.
This lightweight ball is engineered to handle the most energetic play sessions while ensuring that nothing in your home gets damaged. Whether it’s a rainy day or you just want to keep the kids entertained indoors, Ollyball is the perfect solution for endless fun without worry.
Why Choose Ollyball?
Unlike traditional balls that are too hard or heavy for indoor play, Ollyball is designed with safety in mind. Here’s why it stands out:
- Safe for Indoor Use – Say goodbye to broken windows, knocked-over decorations, and damaged furniture. Ollyball is light enough to play with full-force without causing any harm.
- KrunchCOR® Technology – This patented construction allows Ollyball to absorb impact, meaning it’s soft yet resilient enough for hours of play.
- Perfect for Rainy Days – No more frustration when outdoor play isn’t an option. With Ollyball, kids can stay active and entertained inside.
- Encourages Physical Activity – In an age where screens dominate our kids’ attention, Ollyball provides a fun way to keep them moving and engaged.
- Customizable Design – Not only is Ollyball a fantastic indoor play toy, but it’s also a creative outlet!
A Ball You Can Customise!
One of the coolest features of Ollyball is its color-in surface. Kids (and even adults) can use markers or crayons to personalize their ball with unique designs, patterns, and artwork. This adds an entirely new layer of fun, making Ollyball not just a toy, but also an artistic project. Your child gets to create their very own custom-designed ball, making playtime even more special.
The ability to colour in Ollyball encourages creativity, self-expression, and even fine motor skills in younger children. Plus, once they’re done colouring, they can proudly show off their masterpiece while playing with it. It’s a win-win!
Where to Get Yours
If you’re ready to experience the ultimate indoor play ball for yourself, be sure to check it out here. Whether you’re looking for a way to keep the kids entertained indoors, encourage more physical activity, or simply want a toy that won’t cause household chaos, Ollyball is the answer.
With its innovative design, safety features, and creative customization options, Ollyball is set to become a favourite in every household. Don’t miss out—bring the fun home today!