Sylwia After two days of holiday feasting, the last thing I dream of is lying on the couch or eating another cookie. What I really need is a little movement! But when the kids are at home and the weather outside doesn’t invite us to go out, exercising can feel almost impossible. That’s when we turn to our tried-and-tested indoor movement games—fun, simple, and requiring almost no equipment.
Want to know what we play, which game I’m surprisingly the best at, and which activity we’ve loved just as much today as we did three years ago? Here are 10 fun active play ideas for kids at home—all tested on my boys!
1. Turtle Race
This game brings endless giggles! All you need are beanbags (or homemade ones filled with rice or lentils). Kids crawl on all fours with a beanbag balanced on their back. If it falls, mark the spot. They’ll want to beat their record every time!
2. River Crossing
Imagine a river flowing across your living room. The only way across? Jumping on “stones” made from pillows or cushions. Make it trickier each round, like advancing to the next video game level.
3. Bottle Slalom
Set up plastic bottles as obstacles. The challenge? Walk through blindfolded without knocking them down! Great for concentration, memory, and coordination.
4. Obstacle Course
No child can resist this one! Use what you have—cardboard boxes to crawl through, pillows to jump over, chairs to climb. A classic indoor favorite.
5. Little Ninja
Turn yarn or string into a “laser maze” by tying it around furniture. Kids must climb, crawl, and twist to get through without touching the strings. Instant ninja training at home!
6. Treasure Hunt
Hide clues around the house—“check under the bed,” “look behind the couch,” or fun tasks like 10 squats or 3 spins. The grand prize is up to you!
7. Balloon Tennis
Forget fragile dishes—use a balloon instead of a ball and paper plates on sticks as rackets. Safe, silly, and perfect for small spaces.
8. Target Toss
Throw balls, paper wads, or balloons into a basket. Count points or turn it into a creative DIY version with paper plates and cardboard tubes.
9. Can Stilts
Don’t toss those empty cans! Punch holes, thread some string, and suddenly your child is walking tall on homemade stilts.
10. Jump to the Finish
Turn a board game into real-life fun! With a dice roll, each player jumps forward the number of spaces shown. First across the finish line wins!
The best part? While kids get their daily dose of movement, you can join in and sneak in some exercise yourself. I may not beat the fitness instructors on TV, but in our turtle races—I’m the fastest turtle of them all!
