It’s easy to keep kids active when the sun is out, but what do you do when the weather turns wet (or it’s too hot to venture outdoors)? Cabin fever can set in fast once the energy starts building up with nowhere to go.
Here are 6 fun active games for kids to help them burn off steam, and they’re perfect for a rainy day.
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Fun Active Games For Kids
You’re stuck indoors – don’t panic! If you’re wondering what to do with the kids to burn off some of that pent-up energy, try these active games that work brilliantly indoors.
#1. Hold a Dance-a-Thon
Turn your living room into a mini disco to get everyone moving. Put on a favourite playlist and try some classic musical games:
- Musical chairs
- Musical statues
- Best and Worst Dancer Competition
- Get everyone to try the Can Can
- Limbo dancing
Pause for a minute partway through and do a heart rate check – feel for the pulse on the inner wrist or neck and count how many beats you feel over a 15-second period. Multiply by 4 to get the BPM (beats per minute). It’s a fun way to show kids how their body responds to exercise.
#2. Set Up an Obstacle Course
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Create an indoor obstacle course with plenty of climbing, crawling, hopping, jumping and falling onto cushions or a mattress. Let the kids go for it and try to beat each other’s times around the course.
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#3. Step Aerobics
If you have stairs in your house, you’ve got a ready-made workout!
- First, get the kids (carefully!) racing up and down the stairs 10 times in a row.
- Then, have them try calf raises up and down off the bottom step.
- Finally, get them jumping down and up off the bottom step 10 times.
#4. Follow the Leader
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Turn on the music and get the kids exercising – try hopping, skipping or jumping jacks. If you have more than one child, take turns being the leader, with everyone else copying whatever exercise they’re doing (similar to Simon Says).
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#5. Skipping and Hula Hooping
Clear some space, get the skipping ropes or hula hoop out, and have a contest! Who can skip or hula the most times in a row without stopping?
#6. Stretching and Yoga
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Put on some relaxing music and get the kids to stretch – try touching their toes without bending their knees, bending one leg backwards to hold their foot, or twisting gently from side to side without moving their feet.
The Tree pose is a good yoga pose to start kids off with, helping with balance and breathing.
Next, try the Cat pose, where you get onto hands and knees, lower your head and arch your back gently, then raise your head and curve your back the other way.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I keep kids active on a rainy day without any special equipment?
Most of these games need nothing more than some open floor space and music. Dancing, follow the leader, stretching and step aerobics on the stairs all work with whatever you already have at home.
What age groups are these active games suitable for?
These games suit a wide age range. Younger children love musical statues and follow the leader, while older kids often enjoy the obstacle course challenge or timing themselves on skipping and hula hooping.
How long should indoor active play sessions last?
There’s no fixed rule – let the kids’ energy levels guide you. A 20 to 30 minute burst of a few games back-to-back is usually enough to help them burn off restlessness and settle afterwards.
Related Articles
- 50 Super Fun Rainy Day Activities for Kids of All Ages
- Get Active with These Fun Obstacle Course Ideas for Kids
- 25 Of The Best Indoor Games For Kids Aged 8-12 Years
- Download Your FREE Indoor Scavenger Hunt For Kids
Before You Go
Loved these ideas? Browse our full collection of rainy day activities for more ways to keep the kids entertained and active whatever the weather is doing outside.
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