Sometimes you can’t go outside because of the weather. Sometimes mom needs to get some work done and entertain the kids as the same time. Here are some indoor games to help children burn off energy when you’re stuck inside.
1. Pillow fight, but use throw pillows. They’re smaller and less likely to break something or cause an injury. Make sure the kids do this where there isn’t furniture with sharp corners to bump into or breakables to knock of the shelf.
2. Jumping endurance test. Use the stop watch app on your phone to see how long your child can jump up and down on one foot. This tests their endurance and provides cardiovascular workout.
3. Jumping distance test. If you have a long hallway or long open room see how far the can jump. Kind of like the long jump in track and field events. Give each child three tries. Use masking tape on the floor to mark off the starting point and landing spot. Give them a tape measure and have them figure out the distance. It can be a mini math lesson too!
4. Dance party. Turn up the music in the living room and let them dance. Take a video so they can see how silly they look. Kids love to watch themselves on video.
5. Balance test. The old-fashioned walk across the room with a book on your head trick. Can they do it? How far can they make it before the book falls?
6. Crab walking race. How fast can they walk like a crab to the end of the room and back?
7. Father Abraham. Remember this old song from Sunday School? There’s a reason your teacher made you sing it before sitting down for your lesson. A good round of Father Abraham will leave anyone a little breathless.
8. Marching band. So this one can get a little noisy, but sometimes kids need to make some noise. Dig out the toy instruments. If you don’t have any give them some pots and spoons. Send them marching and “making music” around the house a few times.
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9. Balloon bop. It isn’t safe to toss balls in the house, but you can bat balloons around. The goal is to try to keep the balloon off the floor as long as possible.
10. Pop bottle bowling. Sett up empty two liters like bowling pins. Use a light weight ball to knock them over.
I love this! We do the balloon bop and toilet paper roll bowling, LOL. I’ll have to check out that Father Abraham, never heard of it!
Oh my gosh yes the Father Abraham song!! What a workout! I’ll have to teach that one to my kids today to help them burn off steam. Feels like we’ve been trapped inside this house FORever (blizzardy stuff outside. ick).
Stopping by from the A to Z linky!
Yeah I’m not from the linky, doh. Meant for THAT part to go on a different blog post. Sorry. SEE, I told you I’ve been inside too long!! 🙂
So all of these activities are good for the first hour of the snow day, but then what? 🙂 Kidding. I’m totally using the balloon one. My kids love that.
This is a great list and perfect for today. Brrrr its cold outside.
My kids were going stir crazy yesterday. We shall try to have fun with some of your ideas today!
That is a great way to burn off energy. Its hard when the kids are stuck in the house due to weather or having a lazy weekend. Thanks for the ideas!
Great ideas! We went through clothes in bins–not nearly as fun!
Those are wonderful ideas. I need to figure out some new ideas for my 15 and 12 year olds, other than beat the crap out of each other!
We’re desperately in need of these ideas right now. I don’t remember Father Abraham, but I’ll be looking it up soon!
This is EXACTLY what I need! With all of us being sick (except my 4 year old) he is starting to get crazy! I will be pinning this! It would be great if you would link it up in my Family Friday’s Link Up Party tomorrow!
My daughter is still a little young for some of these, but they all give me great ideas! Thanks for the post, especially now that winter has gotten a hold of our household! 🙂 Love from SITS
Great ideas, I will definitely be giving these a go this summer!
Thanks so much for posting something that doesn’t require a lot of materials. I never keep toilet paper tubes or things like that 🙂