It’s easy to keep kids active when the sun is out, but what about when the rain won’t stop – or it’s too hot to go outside? That pent-up energy still has to go somewhere!
Here are 6 fun active games for kids that are perfect for a rainy day, all easy to set up indoors with things you probably already have at home.
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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 extra energy, try these active games for kids that work brilliantly indoors.
#1. Hold a Dance-a-Thon
Turn your living room into disco heaven with a dance-a-thon to get everyone moving. Put on a fun 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
Stop for a minute in the middle 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).
#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 mattresses. Let the kids go wild trying to beat each other’s times around the course.
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#3. Step Aerobics
If you have stairs in your house, you can turn them into a workout!
- First, get the kids (carefully!) racing up and down the stairs 10 times in a row.
- Then, try calf raises up and down off the bottom step.
- Finally, jump down and up 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 (a bit like 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?
#6. Stretching and Yoga
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Put on some relaxing music and get the kids to stretch – trying to touch their toes without bending their knees, bending one leg backwards and holding their foot with their hand, or twisting gently from side to side without moving their feet.
The Tree pose is a great yoga pose to start kids off with – it helps with balance and breathing.
Next, try the Cat pose, where you get on your 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
What are the best active indoor games for kids on a rainy day?
Dance-a-thons, obstacle courses, step aerobics on the stairs, follow the leader, skipping or hula hooping, and simple stretching or yoga are all easy to set up at home and get kids moving without needing much space or equipment.
How can I keep kids active without going outside?
Clear a bit of floor space, put on some music, and turn everyday household items – cushions, stairs, skipping ropes – into mini activity stations. Games with a bit of friendly competition, like timing an obstacle course, help keep energy and enthusiasm up.
What age are these active games suitable for?
Most of these games can be adapted for a wide age range. Younger children may need a little more supervision on obstacle courses or stairs, while older kids can add more challenge, like faster laps or trickier yoga poses.
How long should an indoor active play session last?
There’s no fixed rule – let the kids’ energy levels guide you. A mix of a few games for 20–30 minutes is often enough to burn off restlessness on a rainy afternoon, with breaks for water in between.
Related Articles
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- Get Active with These Fun Obstacle Course Ideas for Kids
- 25 Of The Best Indoor Games For Kids Aged 8-12 Years
- Free Indoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids
Save These Ideas for Your Next Rainy Day
Keep this list handy for the next time the weather turns – bookmark the page or save it to your phone so you’ve always got a few active games ready to go when the kids need to burn off some energy indoors.
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