You have to look and feel at the various points that can produce play. There is only one ball joint - at the bottom. With the wheel off the ground, place a good sized lever between the lower control arm and the strut and muscle it up and down. If there is play between the two, it's the ball joint. For the tie rod end, pinch it into the steering arm with large channel locks. If play, it's toast. If neither of those produce any play, then remove the grease cap and cotter pin on the wheel bearing and tighten with strong fingers, or a small amount of help from pliers. Enough to remove play, but not even snug it.
Simple diagnosis. The fun starts when you repair it.