We love spending time outside but whether it’s challenging weather or exhaustion, it’s not always an option to get all their gross motor needs met outdoors! I made a list with a bunch of energy busting indoor toys both that we have and that we’d love to have; some other resources are Cosmic Kids Yoga on youtube and GoNoodle videos on youtube. If you know of any others I should share or toys I ought to add, leave a comment and I will check it out! I have this post separated into 4 & under and 5+ but there is some crossover, so be sure to skim the whole list.
If you like this post, you might like these too!
- 25+ outdoor toys for big kids
- Audiobooks with kids: tips for getting started
- National park books for kids
- 23+ active board games to get kids moving
- 20+ glow in the dark outdoor toys
These are all linked to Amazon for ease of use, but I encourage you to search your local Craigslist & Facebook marketplace to find them secondhand if you can!
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Indoor toys geared at younger kids (4 & under)
My kids loved this indoor rollercoaster as toddlers! They zoom down the track and then have to lift the cart back on to the track when they’re done.
The indoor playgym we went to when my kids were little had this plastic rock climber and it’s a lot of fun. For tall basement ceilings only, can be used indoor or outdoors.
The super popular Rody bouncing toy, these are super durable and get out great bouncing energy.
These big foam blocks will be a hit to climb, move, and build with.
Trampolines are classic energy busters and this one will keep it contained!
If you have 2 kids, try this one out! We have it ordered for Christmas; it goes up to 180 pounds.
Keep them from climbing your table with this toddler climbing ladder.
If your kids like “follow the leader” this magical little wand gives over 90 get up and moving suggestions like ‘hop like a frog’ and ‘stomp like a dinosaur’.
Bilibos are weird but fun little open-ended turtle shells. They can be used as spinning tops, stepping stones, hats, the list goes on.
I was shocked the first time we went to a playdate with a bounce house but they had so much fun!
The Gonge Seesaw works for 1 or 2 kids and looks like it would be a great hit for kids who love wiggles.
Kid can go through and over top of this colorful caterpillar climber.
A classic for a reason, little slide climbers are great indoors and on a rug.
Little ones will love riding on these soft foamy critters called wheelybugs!
If your kiddo likes dancing but you want to encourage them to move even more, try this musical mat that they can step on!
Indoor toys geared at older kids (5 & older)
This zip ball can be used indoor or outdoor; if you’re not familiar, you stretch your arms out wide to get the green bobbin to go back and forth! In my opinion it only works well for kids 7+ because younger kids’ arms aren’t long enough.
Simple but effective, folding gymnastics mats are so much fun for all ages!
This unicorn foam pogo stick makes noise (sorry!) but gets out a lot of energy without much room needed.
If you are comfortable with projectile objects, this toss and stick set at least gives them a target and a soft thing to lob! Great for hand-eye coordination and arm movement.
These inflatable balls are intended as sitting chairs, which we bought them for, but they’re also great for bouncing around when kids have outgrown the little versions!
Remember these from PE? If you have paved surfaces or wood/tile floors, they are a great way to get out energy using different positions and limbs to propel you around!
Get some rocking motion in with this teeter popper! There are suction cups on the bottom so it makes a loud noise and creates some friction as it moves left to right.
Another projectile option but these ball poppers are great for increasing hand strength and grip!
These activity cones stack up nicely – have kids use them to mark off obstacle courses or goals.
When you outgrow the itty bitty trampoline, upgrade to this adult-friendly version! I want one like this before winter!
Balance stepping stones are great for creative play and barefoot bouncing around! We have the Gonge brand river & hill sets.
Practice balance without a big beam, with this wobble disc.
This sucker is huge! Kids can scramble up it like a mountain or sit inside and spin, the Gonge top.
If you can’t get outside, stay inside and play ‘knee hockey’ with this mini-sized set.
We’ve had this on our wishlist for a while; an indoor gym set up!
I’d love to see this in person; it is like a mini American Gladiator challenge, haha. The arms twist and kids have to jump over them with this musical spinner!
We have these! Yoga pretzels cards will give your kids a bunch of different poses to try if you want to do yoga without a tv screen.
My kids love balance beams! This one folds up nicely and is low to the ground, perfect for pretend play or actual gymnastic.
If you have a fair amount of floor space and kids who love to hang, hook them up with an at home gymnastics bar!
Scott says
Excellent suggestions! Giving your kids the chance to exercise their cognitive abilities through single-player toys, reading, and other quiet time activities is a commendable way to parent. Read more on quiet time activities for kids here:
swoodsonsays says
thanks scott, definitely deleting your spammy backlink though.