It’s easy to keep kids active when the sun is out, but what do you do when the rain won’t stop — or the weather is too hot to be outside for long? The good news is you don’t need a garden, a big playroom, or any special equipment to burn off that indoor energy.
Here are 6 fun active games for kids to help them let off steam, whatever the weather is doing outside.
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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 disco heaven with a dance-a-thon 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
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 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 can do some step aerobics!
- First, get the kids (carefully!) racing up and down the stairs 10 times in a row.
- Then, they should 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 the others 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 — try touching toes without bending knees, bending one leg backwards to hold a foot, or twisting gently from side to side without moving their feet.
The Tree pose is a great one to start kids off with — it helps with balance and breathing.
Next, try the Cat pose, where you get on 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 some fun active games for kids on a rainy day?
A dance-a-thon, an indoor obstacle course, step aerobics on the stairs, follow-the-leader exercises, skipping or hula hooping, and simple stretching or yoga poses are all great ways to get kids moving indoors.
Do I need special equipment for these games?
No — most of these games use things you already have at home, like stairs, cushions, a skipping rope, or a hula hoop. A phone or speaker for music is handy but not essential.
How can I check if my child has had a good workout?
A simple heart rate check is a fun way to do this. Feel for the pulse on the inner wrist or neck, count the beats over 15 seconds, then multiply by 4 to get the beats per minute (BPM).
Are these games suitable for younger and older children?
Yes — most can be adjusted for age. Younger children will enjoy musical games and follow-the-leader, while older kids might enjoy timing themselves on the obstacle course or trying more yoga poses.
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
Save These Ideas For Next Time
Rainy days always seem to arrive when you least expect them! Bookmark this page or save it to your favourites so you’ve got a ready list of active indoor games the next time the weather won’t cooperate.
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