The Best Active Games to Play Indoors
During Bad Weather
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Rainy days, snowstorms, or even scorching heat can sometimes keep children indoors, and while staying cozy inside has its benefits, it can also lead to restless kids full of energy. As parents, we want to keep our kids moving and entertained, even when outdoor play isn’t an option. The good news is that with a little creativity, indoor play can be just as fun and active as outdoor adventures.
At Fnoy Active, we believe that children should have opportunities to stay active regardless of the weather. Our foam ball pits provide a perfect solution for indoor play, offering kids a safe and engaging space to move and explore. But beyond foam ball pits, there are countless indoor games that can keep kids entertained and energized. In this article, we’ll explore the best active games you can play indoors to keep your kids moving and having fun, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
1. Balloon Volleyball
When it’s too wet or cold outside, why not bring the excitement of volleyball indoors? Using a balloon instead of a traditional ball makes it safe for indoor play and prevents any risk of breaking household items.
How to Play:
- Set up a “net” using a string or ribbon tied between two chairs.
- Divide the family into two teams.
- The goal is to keep the balloon off the ground by hitting it over the “net” to the other side.
- If the balloon touches the ground, the opposing team scores a point.
Why it’s great: Balloon volleyball is a fantastic way to improve coordination, balance, and teamwork, and it’s a low-risk game that can be played in virtually any room of the house. The gentle movement of the balloon means that even younger children can participate, making it a great game for the whole family.
2. Indoor Obstacle Course
Transform your living room or hallway into an exciting obstacle course that challenges your child’s agility, balance, and strength. Obstacle courses are a fun way to get kids moving, and you can easily adapt them to suit different age groups and abilities.
How to Set Up:
- Use pillows, blankets, and furniture to create obstacles that kids need to climb over, crawl under, or navigate around.
- Add elements like balancing on a line of tape, jumping from one pillow “island” to another, or crawling through a tunnel made from chairs and blankets.
- Time each participant as they make their way through the course to add a bit of friendly competition.
Why it’s great: Obstacle courses are perfect for burning off energy, developing gross motor skills, and keeping kids engaged for long stretches of time. Plus, setting up the course together gives children a chance to use their creativity and problem-solving skills.
3. Foam Ball Pit Play
If you have a foam ball pit from Fnoy Active, you already have one of the best indoor play solutions available! Foam ball pits are not only fun but also encourage active movement in a safe and contained environment. Kids can jump, roll, and dive into the soft foam balls, keeping their bodies moving while having a blast.
How to Use:
- Set up the foam ball pit in a living room or playroom where there’s enough space for kids to move freely.
- Encourage imaginative play by turning the ball pit into different “worlds” like an ocean, a treasure hunt, or a jungle full of hidden surprises.
- Incorporate other games, like throwing soft balls into the pit as targets or challenging kids to find hidden objects buried in the foam balls.
Why it’s great: Foam ball pits provide an excellent way for younger children to stay active indoors, and the soft environment helps develop motor skills like balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. It’s the perfect combination of fun and exercise.
4. Animal Walks
Kids love pretending to be animals, and this game allows them to do just that while getting a great workout. Animal walks involve moving like different creatures, encouraging kids to use their muscles in ways that they might not in typical play.
How to Play:
- Call out an animal and have your child imitate its movements across the room.
- Examples include:
- Bear crawl: Walking on hands and feet with the belly low to the ground.
- Crab walk: Sitting on the floor with hands and feet supporting the body, moving backward or sideways.
- Frog jumps: Squatting down and jumping forward, just like a frog.
- Penguin waddle: Keeping feet close together and shuffling side to side.
- Set up a race to see who can get from one side of the room to the other the fastest while doing these different animal walks.
Why it’s great: Animal walks are fantastic for building strength, coordination, and flexibility. They also allow kids to use their imagination while engaging in physical activity, making it feel more like a game than a workout.
5. Freeze Dance
Music is a great way to get kids moving, and Freeze Dance is a classic game that encourages dancing, coordination, and quick reflexes. It’s simple to set up and works well for kids of all ages.
How to Play:
- Play some upbeat music and let the kids dance freely around the room.
- When the music stops, everyone has to freeze in place.
- Anyone who moves after the music stops is out for that round, and the last person standing wins.
You can mix it up by introducing different dance styles or asking kids to freeze in funny poses, like animals or superheroes, when the music stops.
Why it’s great: Freeze Dance is perfect for letting off steam and improving coordination, balance, and reaction time. It’s also an easy way to introduce movement during the day, especially when kids need a break from quieter activities like reading or screen time.
6. Simon Says
Simon Says is an interactive game that combines physical activity with listening and following directions. It’s a game that works in almost any indoor space and is easy to modify depending on the age group.
How to Play:
- One person is “Simon” and gives commands starting with “Simon says.”
- If Simon says, “Simon says touch your toes,” everyone touches their toes. But if Simon simply says, “Touch your toes,” without the “Simon says” part, anyone who follows the command is out.
- Commands can involve a wide variety of movements, such as jumping, spinning, hopping, or balancing on one foot.
Why it’s great: Simon Says helps kids practice listening skills, focus, and quick decision-making. Plus, the movements involved can be as active or low-key as you want, making it a flexible game for all energy levels.
7. Hallway Bowling
Hallways are the perfect spot for a quick game of indoor bowling. It’s an active game that also challenges children’s coordination and balance.
How to Play:
- Set up plastic cups or empty water bottles as “pins” at the end of the hallway.
- Use a soft ball to knock them down.
- Keep track of how many “pins” each player knocks over with each throw, and see who can get the most strikes.
Why it’s great: Hallway bowling is great for developing hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills, and it provides a fun, competitive element that keeps kids engaged. You can also adjust the difficulty by changing the size of the ball or the distance from the “pins.”
8. Indoor Hopscotch
You don’t need a sidewalk or driveway to play hopscotch—you can easily bring this classic game indoors with a bit of creativity.
How to Play:
- Use painter’s tape to create a hopscotch grid on the floor. This tape is easy to remove and won’t damage your floors.
- Number the squares and have kids toss a small object (like a beanbag or a sock) into a square, hopping through the grid to retrieve it.
- Challenge kids to hop on one foot, hop backward, or skip certain squares to keep the game interesting.
Why it’s great: Indoor hopscotch promotes balance, coordination, and leg strength, while the rules of the game encourage counting and number recognition. It’s a fun way to keep kids active and thinking, all within the safety of your home.
9. Obstacle Ball Toss
This game combines the fun of target practice with the physical challenge of navigating obstacles. It’s a great way to keep kids moving and exercising their hand-eye coordination.
How to Play:
- Set up different “targets” around the room using buckets, laundry baskets, or boxes.
- Place small obstacles (like pillows or chairs) between the player and the target.
- Kids have to throw a soft ball or beanbag into the target, but first, they must navigate the obstacles by crawling, jumping, or weaving through.
Why it’s great: Obstacle Ball Toss keeps kids engaged in both physical movement and precision. The mix of tossing and moving through obstacles challenges multiple skill sets, making it a great all-around indoor game.
10. Dance Party Workout
Sometimes, all kids need to get moving is a good old-fashioned dance party! This is an easy and fun way to get children off the couch and moving to their favorite tunes.
How to Play:
- Turn on some music with a good beat and let everyone dance their hearts out.
- To add an exercise element, call out different movements like “jump,” “spin,” or “march” while they’re dancing.
- You can also turn it into a mini workout by incorporating moves like squats, lunges, and jumping jacks into the dance.
Why it’s great: A dance party workout is an excellent way to get kids moving without needing any special equipment or setup. Dancing boosts mood, improves coordination, and gives kids a full-body workout in a fun, carefree way.
Conclusion
Keeping kids active and entertained indoors doesn’t have to be difficult, even when the weather isn’t cooperating. With a little creativity, you can turn your home into a hub of fun and movement, ensuring that your children stay physically active and engaged. From games like Balloon Volleyball and Freeze Dance to setting up an Indoor Obstacle Course or using a foam ball pit from Fnoy Active, there are countless ways to encourage active play, even when outdoor adventures aren’t an option.
Indoor games not only keep children physically healthy but also support their motor skill development, creativity, and emotional well-being. These activities provide opportunities for children to engage their bodies, practice important coordination and agility skills, and—most importantly—have fun!
As parents, you can help foster a love for movement by introducing these exciting indoor games and making them a regular part of your child’s day. The key is to keep it fun and engaging, allowing your child to explore new ways to move their body and burn off energy, no matter the weather.
So, the next time the rain is pouring or the temperatures drop too low, don’t worry—there are plenty of ways to keep your kids moving and smiling indoors. With a mix of imagination, active play, and a bit of space to move, indoor fun can be just as enriching as any outdoor adventure!