Kids playing outside during summer time is all fun and games….until the triple digits plague you!  I have compiled a few indoor games that my kids love to play.  They keep active without overheating in the hot Texas sun.  These games would also be awesome to play during the winter when the frigid temperatures keep them cooped up.

None of the games require a lot of the equipment.  In fact, everything needed can be found inexpensively from Oriental Trading.  They generously sent me a few complimentary items to try out with my kids, and it inspired me to write this post about indoor games and activities!  These games are great for large OR small groups.

6 Indoor Games to Get Kids MOVING

Cone Game

To start, you (and your participants) will spread different colored plastic cones throughout the play space at random, so that colors are mixed up and no cones are touching one another.
Next, explain the rules to the players:

• You will call out a specific color and body part each round and the participants will then run over to a cone of that color and touch it with that body part. Explain that more than one child can go to a cone – children can share!
• The last one there is out.
• Last man standing is the winner!

Here are some simple body part examples: Foot, Hand, Toe, Finger, Elbow, Knee, Arm, Leg, Head (when there aren’t many left)

Poop Deck

This is referencing the deck on a ship, but what kid won’t want to place this?  They love the name.

• Use the colored cones to divide the room into a front deck, middle deck, and poop deck.
• Everyone starts off on the poop deck.
• The pirate captain (you, or anyone you appoint that doesn’t mind sitting out) yells a deck name and everyone has to run to that deck.
• You can make the last one there be out.
• Last man standing is the winner!

Kids love it because they are pirates and get to yell poop!

Jump the River

• Lay out 2 jump ropes parallel to each other to represent the river.
• Kids take turns jumping the river.
• After each child has had a chance, widen the river.
• If the child doesn’t clear the river with their jump, they’re out.
• Last one left is the winner!

Bean Bag Throws

• Divide participating children into pairs.
• Each pair takes turns tossing bean bags into upside down cones. (One person throws, while the other holds the cone upside down to catch it.)
• Everyone does this at the same time all in a line so you can keep an eye on all of the pairs.
• Make each set of tosses more difficult: while all kids are balanced on 1 foot, while standing back to back, with their eyes closed, spinning, etc.
• If a team misses a throw/catch, they are out!
• Last team standing wins!

Hot Potato

• Gather the players in a circle, either seated or standing up.
• Select one player or parent as the caller. They will control when the hot potato is in play and when it must be held.
• Begin play by giving the hot potato to someone in the circle. This person must then pass of the hot potato (bean bag or ball) as quickly as possible either in a orderly manner around the circle or by throwing it across the circle to another player.
• When he calls out “Stop!” whoever is left with the hot potato is eliminated and must leave the circle. Avoid conflict by having the caller keep her eyes shut.  If he has her eyes shut or has his back to the circle, he will not be tempted to pick any specific person to be stuck with the ball or bean bag.
• Last person standing wins!

Obstacle Course

Have the kids each come up with an obstacle course using all of the materials available and then play the game!  We like to use everything in the Super Mega Active Play Set from Oriental Trading.  It’s fun to come up with tasks for the jump rope, parachute, playground balls, wrist rings, and cones.
Take suggestions – who has a great game idea using these items?

Get Your Supplies and Get Started!

The set that I used for all of the games above was the Super Mega Active Play Set, which is only $55.99 for all of the items.  Seriously, you get 5 deluxe playground balls, 6 jump ropes, a 6 foot parachute, 12 bean bags, 6 wrist rings, and 10 plastic cones in various colors.  When I opened the package, it immediately took me back to my days in gym class in elementary school.

Looking for more indoor fun?

One quick and easy indoor activity to get the wiggles out is the Inflatable Fitness Dice Set.  It is only $10.50 for a set of 4 dice.  Two of them have different exercises on them, and the other two have the numbers 1-6.  This one is awesome, because it could also make a good transitional activity.  For homeschooling families like ours, it would be a nice break time activity to get the kid moving and active in between long stretches of school work.  Get those wiggles out!

The Curvy Catch Game is just $15 for the set, and it is really nice quality.  The set include 6 of the plastic scoops and 3 plastic balls.  I remember playing this as a kid and somewhat mastering it during recess one day.  I wasn’t good at much when it came to physical activity type games, so it was a pretty big deal.  This game is fun, because you can play it indoors or outdoors, and it can be made easier or harder by widening the distance between players or doing many of the things suggested above in the Bean Bag Throws game.

 How do you keep your kids busy indoors?

What are some ways they like to pass the time without dying of boredom? 🙂