This winter, we have seen many record lows across the country. Though we all work to bundle up and get necessary outdoor play, these incredibly cold days just don’t allow for enough active play. Soon kids are bouncing off the walls! It’s time to get creative and introduce some fun active indoor games for kids. Hope these idea help get out all that energy at your house!
Land, Sea, Air. This simple game requires listening and a line on the ground. Pick a spot with a natural line, such as a tile, or place a small piece of tape on the floor. Identify behind the line as land, in front of the line as sea and jumping directly up as air. Have the kids follow your directions. Say the commands land, sea and air in no particular order. If the kids make a mistake have them do three jumping jacks and try again.
Basketball. Get creative with household objects to create a basketball and hoop. You could use a wadded piece of paper and trash can or laundry basket and ball of socks. Then practice taking shots from different spots. You can even introduce a game of Horse or Pig.
Running Through the Forest. Take the kids on an imaginary adventure in which they must run, skip and crawl in place. Pretend together that you are running through a forest. When you come upon a branch, duck. When you reach a log, jump. When you find a pond, get in and swim. When you meet a lion, run fast! Together create your imaginative adventure and get moving.
Maze Game. Create a checkerboard pattern on the floor — either with pillows, washi tape or paper — with a start corner square and opposite exit corner square. Draw a hidden pattern on paper that the kids must follow in order to get through the maze. Have the kids take turns moving through the maze — moving left, right, forward or back without skipping over squares. If they pick the wrong square, have them go back to the beginning and try again.
Jumping. Really! Challenge the kids to jumping contests. How far can you jumping? How high can you jump? Can you jump off this chair onto this pile of pillows? Can you touch my hand? This spot on the wall? Or it might just be that special day to let the kids jump on the bed– especially if it keeps you all happy.
Huckle Buckle Beanstalk. This is a game of hide and seek, but instead of hiding yourself, you hide an object. Pick an object and hide in plain sight in the house. Have the kids move all around the house searching for the object with their hands behind their back. When they see the object, discretely say Huckle Buckle Beanstalk then sit down at the couch. Once everyone has found the object, pick someone new to hide it.
How do you stay active in the house with kids?
Find more ideas here: Indoor Games to Play at Home
