Yes, there are some simple—and fun—ways to turn outdoor play into active indoor games for kids! This is a great way to motivate kids to play more actively inside, and to help them practice their skills even when weather or other challenges keep them indoors.
Get Indoor Game Gear
Using your child's favorite sports as inspiration, invest in some simple toys and supplies so they can play indoors. You'll need equipment that's smaller, lighter, and/or softer than what you use outdoors. That means:
- Balloons, beach balls, fabric balls, Nerf balls, or beanbags to kick, roll, and throw
- Mini basketball hoops, knee hockey goals, boxes, or baskets for targets
- Indoor versions of horseshoes, darts, or bowling; for soccer, try Scoot-n-Shoot soccer (compare prices)
Make Your Own Indoor Games for Kids
You can also make your own sporty games for kids with items you have around the house!
Practice Outdoor Skills Indoors
Depending on what kind of space you have available indoors, your child may be able to practice some of the skills she needs to play her favorite sports. These could include:
- Soccer: Dribbling the ball along the floor
- Tennis: Gently bouncing the ball up or down with racquet held horizontally; or playing ping-pong if you have a table
- Golf: Putting (into a practice cup or even just a plastic drinking cup turned on its side)
- Basketball: Dribbling the ball (in a garage, carport, or basement)
Go with an Exergame
It's true that playing baseball on Wii Sports isn't the same as whacking a beautiful line drive outside. But as long as virtual play doesn't take the place of the real deal (shoo the kids outside if it's a nice day!), it can be a good way to add a little activity to indoor play and to keep kids motivated.
