Kids need to burn off energy. But, when winter drags on forever like it has been this year, it’s hard. They’re tired of the snow and don’t enjoy playing outside when the temperatures are below freezing. So, we’ve been playing some active indoor games to try and keep everyone from getting cabin fever.
Many of these games are invented. We just looked around the house and used what we had to create new ways to move. Asking your kids to create a new game using random objects is a great way to work on creative thinking and problem solving.
Here are four fun active indoor games that you can play with your kids. I hope you enjoy them as much as our family does!
Toilet Paper War
This one started out as a Minute to Win It Game one fall. It was simple enough–through toilet paper rolls through a hula hoop. Whoever got the most was supposed to win.
Except, one stray roll hit someone on its way to the hoop. And then, our calm family game was over.
Rolls were flying all over the room, and we had to bring out the masking tape to keep the rolls from unrolling all over the house!
Bowling with Cups
Gather 10 plastic cups, and set them up bowling pin style. Find a soft ball (we usually use a kickball) and take turns going for a strike! No gutters in this game.
This post shares more about how we set up an indoor bowling alley in the living room.
Obstacle Course
We take the cushions off the couch, pile up some blankets, and bring out anything else we can think of. Everyone gets to create an obstacle to add to the course. Then, we take turns going through it.
We’ve had to jump over a blanket mountain, crawl along the coffee table, and jump ten times on a towering stack of cushions. We’ve also rolled balls under chairs, closed our eyes and tried to throw a sock into a bowl. It’s always a crowd pleaser!
Rolled Sock Toss
Taking a pair of socks and rolling it up makes a great, safe indoor play ball! We’ve tossed them at each other, thrown them into laundry baskets, and knocked over cups with them. Roll a pair and see what kind of fun you can have!
Random Object Game
I ask my kids to each gather four things that’d fit in a large plastic bowl. We mix everything they find up.
Then, they reach into the bowl one at a time and pull out an object. They take turns pulling things out until the bowl is empty. By now, everyone should have four things.
Once everyone knows what they have, I give them ten minutes to plan. I also allow them to select two additional objects from around the house.
They’re goal is to come up with a new game, or an activity we can all do. They always get so creative!
We’ve had to:
- Navigate a field of obstacles while pushing a ball along the ground with our nose
- Slide a plastic plate as close as we could to another object without actually touching it.
- Wheel toy cars under chairs and try to get them to hit something when they come out the other side
- Use straws to blow paper off the table
I never know what the kids are going to come up with, but I do know we’ll almost always all be in giggles when we’re done.
What Active Indoor Games Do You Enjoy as a Family?
How do you stay active as a family during the long winter nights? We’re always eager to try new games!