Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

The best energy burning indoor toys for toddlers to big kids

Greetings! We’re so glad you’ve landed on one of our incredible What Moms Love Gift Guides for Kids. If you’re in the midst of frantically searching for the perfect toy for your child (or niece, or nephew, or friend’s kid, or…well, you get the picture) you can breathe a sigh of relief, because this is where you’ll find it. The gift that will not only get gasps of excitement when opening, but one that won’t be relegated to the bottom of a deep, dark storage bin.

In case you’re not familiar with our guides, we work year-round testing toys with kids of all ages and stages, and feature only the ones that repeatedly knock their socks off. We arrange these gems in our different guides based on a child’s interests because we asked parents how they typically shop, and the overwhelming response was that they search for what their child is currently obsessing over – you know, that one “category” they just can’t get enough of. 

Now this guide is slightly different, because it’s not solely based around an interest, but also a need. Kids’ need an outlet for all that physical energy they have stored in their fidgety, itching-to-run-around-and-tackle-their-little-brother bodies (you know it all too well, right?). But what can you do to help your kiddos burn off some energy when you can’t easily go outside in the dead of winter, on rainy days, or times when you’re in the midst of making dinner and not available to supervise your energetic pre-schooler outside?

Well, we have your solution.

We’ve recommended over 30 toys that will help kids stay active, strengthen their muscles and develop gross motor skills, all from the comforts of their own home. We had kids bounce, scoot, spin, jump, climb, balance and stretch out their energy with these toys and compiled only the ones that were easy to use, insanely fun, and got the most use over an extended period of time.

At the end of the day, we can attest to countless reports of stellar nap times and breezy bedtimes thanks to these toys wearing out our kid testers (hurrah!).

 All the toys on our list make a great gift (and most are versatile enough to be taken outdoors as well) and can make a world of difference to everyone’s sanity…particularly yours!

If you’d like to be alerted to any sales or special deals we receive on any of these items, make sure you subscribe to our newsletter. We’ll also let you know when new guides launch (and we’re always working on more!), and hook you up with our other exclusive content like our popular report: 10 Screen-Free Toys for Guaranteed Quiet Time That Will Let You Relax, Recharge, Or Put The Laundry Away.

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 Remember to Bookmark, Print and PIN this list so it’s always handy when a gift-giving occasion arises

Best Indoor Gross Motor Toys For Active Kids | Toys To Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas For Toddlers for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

*recommended ages are from manufacturers

RIDE-ONS
Best Indoor Gross Motor Toys For Active Kids | Toys To Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas For Toddlers for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

PRINCE LIONHEART WHEELY BUG (18 MONTHS TO 50 LBS) 

OK, what child can possibly resist these adorable and inviting Wheely Bugs?! Certainly not the kids we had test them out, who were more-than-nudging their way onto these fun critters to take them for a spin. They are super simple to use, with an easy-to-grip handle and multidirectional casters that kids can maneuver using their legs to go backwards, forwards, sideways or in circles.

The body of each Wheely Bug is nice and cushy for a comfy ride, and can easily be wiped clean. They’re low to the ground, have safe rounded corners and are stable enough for even the littlest tikes to climb on and off without constant supervision. The only hard decision here is which animal to choose!

Best Indoor Gross Motor Toys For Active Kids | Toys To Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas For Toddlers for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!
WISHBONE 2-IN-1 FLIP (AGE 1-5) 

We love Wishbone for their innovative, smart and beautifully crafted products, and the 2-in-1 Flip embodies all 3 of these attributes to a T. The Flip is built to last from sustainably-grown birch wood, and can transform from a Rocker to a Ride-on in a matter of seconds – no tools or frustrated searches for the owner’s manual required. This is a great toy to share amongst siblings who may be at different stages of motor development. It’s simple to assemble, and the clean and modern lines make it a piece worthy of a spot in your living room. Our tester’s had a blast on these – rocking and rolling all around the house.

And if you have a pre-walker, you may even consider the Wishbone 3-in-1 Mini-Flip (age 1-3) which can also be used as a walker!

Best Indoor Gross Motor Toys For Active Kids | Toys To Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas For Toddlers for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

FLY BIKE – FOLDABLE INDOOR/OUTDOOR TODDLER GLIDE TRICYCLE (AGE 1-4)

We looked at numerous ride-on toddler trikes, but the Fly Bike won us over with its portability, smooth ride, easy steering and overall stability. It’s the perfect mix of a bicycle and scooter for toddlers who aren’t quite ready for a pedal tricycle or a 2-wheel balance bike. They can learn the basics of coordination, balance and directional steering with ease, and once our kid tester’s started feeling comfortable, you should have seen them whizzing around on these. They can go as fast as their little legs can push them!

And our favorite part: the Fly Bike easily folds for compact storage and simple travel. Bring it inside in the winter, but it also works wonders outside – truly a toy that will get loads of love, and set-up your child for a smooth transition to a 2-wheeler down the road.

Best Indoor Gross Motor Toys For Active Kids | Toys To Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas For Toddlers for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

GYMNIC RODY  (AGE 3-5)

If you’ve ever encountered a Rody, you’ll understand how kids are naturally attracted to these colorful, bouncy creatures…they just want to hop on and go for a ride (and yea, we kinda do too). Their contoured shape and easy-to-grasp ears will help your child’s body as they bounce up and down – helping them develop balance, coordination and strengthen their core and leg muscles.

We found that if there’s a Rody in the room, it’s often surrounded by a gaggle of kids eager for a turn. Even kids as young as 12 months can immensely enjoy this well-made toy with a little help in the saddle.

There’s even a Rocking Base that turns Rody into a true rocking horse, or a Speedy Base that converts it into a moveable ride-on machine!

And if your child prefers bunnies or giraffes over horses, Rody has a few other friends to consider like Raffy The Rabbit and Gyffy The Giraffe.

BALANCE

Best Indoor Gross Motor Toys For Active Kids | Toys To Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas For Kids for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

LEARNING ADVANTAGE STEP-A-LOGS (AGE 2+)

These Step-a-Logs are the perfect addition to any play room. They extend over 14 feet and can be placed in a variety of formations (from straight to zig-zag) thanks to the flexible rope connectors. The logs have a raised surface to prevent little feet from slipping off and can be stacked on top of each other for compact storage.

We found that kids got super imaginative with these logs, playing fun games centered on getting from one side to the other without falling off (the ground quickly becomes “hot lava”, a “dinosaur cave” or “icky mud”!) and were especially great for play dates or sibling play. Our only gripe is that they don’t have any anti-slip grips on the bottom of the logs, so you either have to add your own, or use on carpet.

Best Indoor Gross Motor Toys For Active Kids | Toys To Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas For Teens for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

CARROM BALANCE BOARD (AGE 13+)

If you’re looking for an active toy for an older child, the Carrom Balance Board is an exciting and challenging tool that’s perfect for those that love to skateboard, ski, snowboard, surf or participate in other activities that favor balance and agility.

Now let us warn you, there is a learning curve to this – they won’t be able to just hop on and start balancing right away. You need to start on a soft carpeted area and hold on to something sturdy while you get the hang of it, and even doing that is a major core and leg workout…muscles will be burning! But once they do master the balance, they’ll find it incredibly addicting. It comes with a how-to booklet with plenty of tips and even some tricks to try! This got 2 big thumbs up from all the teens we had hop on board.

FREE PLAY

Best Indoor Gross Motor Toys For Active Kids | Toys To Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

FOLDING GYM MAT (ALL AGES!)  

Don’t underestimate the power of a simple padded Gym Mat – this piece of equipment got maaaajor love from our kid tester’s, who blew us away with their creativity and overall enthusiasm for it. Not only was it used for gymnastic-type moves like somersaults and cartwheels, but it was quickly integrated into imaginative play games that included running, jumping, rolling and goofy made-up tricks.

Play evolved into standing it up to create forts and barriers, and even long ramps for car races. Younger tots loved the soft surface to practice crawling and rolling, and even the teeniest babies enjoyed the extra padding during tummy time. The panels fold together so you can easily slip it under a bed or into a closet when not in use.

If your kids are home on snowy or rainy days, you need this Gym Mat in your life!

Best Indoor Gross Motor Toys For Active Kids | Toys To Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

KIDO BILIBO (AGE 2-7)

Now speaking of versatile, meet the Bilibo – an award-winning open-ended activity toy that can be used in a multitude of creative ways. The first reaction for kids when introduced to the Bilibo is usually to climb right in and take it for a spin, or simply hang out in it rocking back and forth. But it was also used as a stepping stone (in conjunction with the Step-a-Logs), a fun sled for stuffed animals (a rope was tied through the holes for this idea), and get this…even a “potty” for some baby dolls! The play options are limited only to your child’s imagination.

Best Indoor Gross Motor Toys For Active Kids | Toys To Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

MELISSA & DOUG HAPPY GIDDY TUNNEL (AGE 3-5)

Get your kids wiggling like caterpillars through this brightly colored Happy Giddy Crawl-Through Tunnel from Melissa & Doug. At 5’ long, they’ll burn up tons of energy going back and forth, and in and out of this sturdy yet portable tunnel. It features fun flip-up doors on each end with peek-a-boo windows that the kids absolutely loved – these definitely set this tunnel apart from some of the others on the market. And parents love that it’s easy to collapse into a small, flat circle to tuck away when the sun comes out.

Best Indoor Gross Motor Toys For Active Kids | Toys To Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

FAT BRAIN TOYS TEETER POPPER (AGE 3-8)

At first glance the Teeter Popper might not look like much more than a balance board, but give it to a child and you’ll soon find out that the creative potential for this toy goes far beyond one use. The kids we had try it out also used it as a seat for lounging, rocking, and spinning, and even for imaginative play as a boat, bridge, doll bed and more. The suction cups on the bottom help provide some additional stability, and make an addicting sound (to them at least!) that boosts their engagement. And a bonus we discovered – these suction cups are compatible with Fat Brain Toys Squigz, (featured in our Best Building Toys Guide) so it makes a fantastic base to build off!

RELATED: The Best Building Toys For Kids (From Blocks To Robots)

Best Indoor Gross Motor Toys For Active Kids | Toys To Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

SPOONER FREESTYLE BOARD (AGE 3-12)

 The Spooner Freestyle Board offers similar play options as the Teeter Popper above, but has the added benefit of allowing older kids to perform some pretty nifty skate-board-like tricks. That being said, we had plenty of 3 year olds climb aboard and spin and twist into fits of giggles, so this is definitely one that can grow with your child, and get years and years of use.

SWINGING, CLIMBING + JUMPING

Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

GYMNIC HOP BALLS (AGE 2+)

We remember having one of these kid-sized bouncy balls as a child, and the design hasn’t changed much since then…it’s pure and simple fun that kids go back to again and again. You’ll find your children bouncing around like little giggling kangaroos burning off boat loads of energy while developing balance, spatial awareness and gross motor skills (bonus!). (editor’s note: my kids have races on their Hop Balls, make obstacle courses to maneuver through, and sometimes just hang out on them on their bellies. They’re awesome!)

Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

GYM1 (AGES 3-12)

If you want to invest in only one toy to keep your kids entertained and active indoors, it has to be the Gym1. This amazing system easily installs into most interior doorways in seconds (and won’t leave a mark!) allowing your kids to safely swing, climb and flip their cabin fever away – all while building upper-body and core strength. The attachments are easy to swap out with simple carabiners, and it can hold up to 300 lbs, so you’re free to hop on and play too (just try to resist!).

Available in Regular (includes Swing, Rings and Ladder) and Deluxe (Regular + Trapeze Bar and Swinging Rope)

Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

LIL’ MONKEY DOME CLIMBER (AGE 3+)

If you have the space in a basement or playroom, the Lil’ Monkey Dome Climber will keep your little monkeys entertained and active for hours at a time. Kids can hang, swing or climb on this strong and sturdy structure that is surprisingly light-weight (and easy to move from one end of a room to another). Assembly is painless (taking less than an hour) and there’s plenty of room for multiple kids to enjoy at once.

And when they’re done with being monkeys, throw some blankets over it to make an unbelievable hide-out! The possibilities with this structure are endless, and at the end of the day, you’ll have happy, ready-for-bed kids.

Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

KIDOOZIE FOAM POGO JUMPER (AGE 3+)

Want a toy that will have your kids literally jumping for joy? The Kidoozie Foam Pogo Jumper will certainly do the trick, and will have them good and tired in a matter of minutes. It has a soft, cushiony base where they place their feet, and a stretchy handle that can adjust to any height (even us grown-ups who deserve a turn too). It makes the cutest little squeaking noise as they jump, which they totally love, and encourages them to keep on jumping.

The new Kidoozie Counting Pogo Jumper (age 3+) even has a counter on the handlebar to keep track of the number of jumps they’ve completed, which we found increased the fun-factor even more as they tried to beat their best score. This Jumper doesn’t require much space, and won’t scuff up your hardwood floors. It’s not an Amazon #1 Best Seller for nothing!

Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

LITTLE TIKES JUMP ‘N SLIDE INFLATABLE BOUNCER (AGE 3-8)

Ever pay an arm and a leg to rent a bouncy house for your child’s birthday party, or take them to a “fun zone” that lets them bounce around? Well imagine if you had your very own that you could inflate within minutes to use for parties, play dates or when the going gets rtugh. The Little Tikes Jump ‘n Slide Inflatable Bouncer is small enough to set-up inside, but offers a large jumping area for multiple kids with tall walls, mesh netting, and a fun exit slide. It’s a worthy investment that will literally pay for itself.


GAMES

Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

SKLZ PRO MINI BASKETBALL HOOP (SAFE FOR 1+, WE RECOMMEND 4+)

Forget those cheap plastic indoor hoops, this SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop is professional-grade, only miniaturized for fun indoor play. It’s super durable with a shatter resistant polycarbonate backboard and a 9” steel rim. It comes with a mini rubber ball, but we also suggest this foam one for younger kids (and less noise!).

Kids love that it looks just like the real thing, and thanks to the spring-action break-away rim, they can dunk just like their favorite pros!

We had kids practicing shots solo, or playing real games on these nets – all to rave reviews. It makes a great addition to a child’s bedroom or playroom. (editor’s note: my son has had this hoop in his room for 2 years and still plays with it almost daily. It has withstood many a play date and even bedtime challenges with mom that include “If you make this basket, you get to stay up for 10 extra minutes…if you miss, you go to bed straight away!” Highly recommend!)

Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!
B. MAT-A-MATICS MUSICAL MAT (AGE 2+)

We’re big fans of the B. line-up of toys, and their B. Mat-A-Matics Musical Mat was the clear winner of all the interactive musical mats we tested. It has 4 engaging modes of play, including Melody Mix, where your child can step anywhere on the mat and dance along to familiar songs; Super Dance, where they can follow the lights and groove to fun dance music; Wacky Sounds, which lets them bop around the mat to hear funny sounds (warning: this includes burp and fart-like noises…which totally delighted our kid tester’s to no end, but thought you’d like the heads up!). And lastly, Memory Music, where your child can complete nursery rhyme songs by repeating the steps.

The Mat itself is easy to clean, lightweight and simple to fold up and tuck away. And don’t count this one out for older kids…they had just as much fun as their younger siblings!

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EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS MAGIC MOVES (AGE 3+)

The award-winning Educational Insights Magic Moves is just that…magic. It will get your kids running, jumping and slithering around with a simple press of a button. The interactive wand includes 90 fun and creative commands like “run like a cheetah”, “float like a butterfly” or “slither like a snake”, plus colored light shows and a variety of music styles. What we like best about it is that multiple children can play at the same time (editor’s note: my 3 kids age 7, 5 and 2 love to pick this one up on rainy days and laugh at each other’s interpretations of the commands!) and it really gets them moving in a fun and entertaining way.

Magic Moves also comes in a Jammin’ Gym version (age 4+) which includes fitness commands like jumping jacks and arm circles or creative expressions like “Let’s Surf!”. Developed by a trainer, the exercises are kid-safe and will encourage a love of fitness while increasing their motor skills.

Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

 EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS PANCAKE PILE-UP RELAY RACE GAME (AGE 4+)

This lively, fast-action game turns kids into servers who have to race back-and-forth piling up their customer’s specific order of pancakes without it falling. You can decide how far away to place the pancakes (we found the longer distance the better), and our kid tester’s had the brilliant idea to add additional obstacles in the form of random toys and blocks to increase the level of difficulty.

You can play this game with 2 players, or relay-style with teams – perfect for working up a sweat with the whole family, or playing at birthday parties. Super engaging and one of our kids’ favorites.

 RELATED: See more of our top game recommendations: The Best Board Games For Kids & Families (That Aren’t Candy Land or Monopoly)

Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

YOGA PRETZELS CARDS (AGE 4+)

Getting energy out doesn’t have to mean your children are running wild around the house – taking the energy down a notch by introducing the fundamentals of Yoga can still leave them feeling energized and more relaxed, without all the, well, running. We are huge fans of the beautifully illustrated Yoga Pretzels cards, which feature 50 poses divided into sections like Balance, Stand, Forward Bend, Twist & Stretch, and Partner. There are clear instructions on each colorful jumbo card and up to 5 drawings that break down the pose.

Make it fun and have your kids blindly pick a card or two that you all have to perform to clear your minds before bed, to refresh in the morning, or to take a breather after lunch. It’s a fun and healthy way to teach the basics of yoga and how to calm down their bodies, which is a highly effective skill to have at any age.

Pair this high-quality card set with a Gaiam Kids Yoga Mat to stir up additional excitement.

Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

THINKFUN YOGA SPINNER GAME (AGE 5-15)

Another highly-rated option to introduce yoga to kids is the ThinkFun Yoga Spinner Game. The object of the game is simple: be the first to collect a card of each color by performing specific yoga poses for 10 seconds. If you wobble and come out of the pose, you don’t win the card. This game had our kid tester’s not only practicing their flexibility, balance and strength, but also laughing like crazy! The poses are clearly illustrated on each card, and some include partner work for added amusement. We also love how the cards all fit nicely inside the spinner for easy clean-up and portability. Your kids will be down-dogging their way through your next snow day instead of bouncing off the walls.

Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

We are so excited about these incredible, app-enabled training tools from DribbleUp – they are the absolute perfect gift for any budding athlete, and particularly those hard-to-buy-for tweens and teens.

DribbleUp is a smart Soccer Ball or Basketball that uses visual tracking technology to take ball handling drills and skills training to a whole new (and immensely fun) level. Simply set up a smartphone or iPad device with the DribbleUp app, scan the ball, and you’ll gain access to their vast library of interactive workouts. During the drills, the DribbleUp app tracks your ball movement and gives you a graded breakdown of your performance. Our kid testers loved the virtual cones and having their very own virtual trainer!

For Soccer, the app is loaded with thousands of hours of ball control, jugging and even shooting drills, that range from beginner to expert. The Smart Ball is available in size 4 (12 and under) and size 5 (age 13+).

For Basketball, you can measure skills like your crossover speed, dribble hesitation, and dribble speed. It gives you targeted instructions based on your weaknesses and provides specific drills to make improvements. Because you need to look at the screen to see the virtual cones, time and directions, it automatically teaches kids to keep their eyes up and not look at the ball – something which is tricky to do when practicing alone. Take a look at the video below to get a better sense of what’s possible with the app:

YouTube video

The feedback we received on these smart balls from our testers and their parents was overwhelmingly positive. One parent remarked, “my son loves to play basketball, but never wants to practice the “hard” stuff like ball handling. Once he tried the DribbleUp he was instantly hooked – he immediately took to the concept of besting his score which made him repeat the drills over and over again. I even got in there and gave it a try! Super fun and he’s been using it every day…so glad you introduced us to it!”

Over and over again we heard similar stories – the combination of an augmented reality “video game” style app, plus the encouraging trainer and fun drills really hooks the kids and makes practicing much more fun.

Both the Dribble Up Basketball and Soccer ball track your progress over time, so you can see exactly how much you’ve improved. You don’t need much space in order to use it (just a few feet!) and it can of course be done indoors (although we found the garage or unfinished basement area for the Basketball worked best).

These will make amazing gifts and keep your kids burning energy while they improve their skills.

DRIBBLEUP (AGE 6+)
Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

ULTRA DASH (AGE 6+)

This super fun race against-the-clock game kept our kid testers in motion and having a blast for huge chunks of time. Ultra Dash comes with a special “Tagger” stick and 5 colored targets. There are 3 game modes, but the most popular seemed to be “beat the clock”, where you make a course with the targets and then race to match the color the Tagger flashes to the corresponding target. Once you find the target, you tap the Tagger inside to register and then move onto the next color. When you’ve registered all 5 targets, the clock stops and your turn is over. Kids loved taking turns to try and beat each others’ time, but also enjoyed playing solo and attempting to go faster.

Take a peek at the game in action:

YouTube video

We love that you can make the game easier for younger kids (making the targets closer together in one space) or more challenging (using multiple levels of your home and different rooms…our big kid testers were up and down stairs like mad!) – and every time the “course” can be made different, so kids don’t get bored. Super fun for play dates, siblings, parties and even for mom and dad to join in!

Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

ARMOGEAR LASER BATTLE

If you want to be the one responsible for buying “the best gift ever”, then we have the winner for you: ArmoGear’s Laser Battle. With this game set, kids can have their very own laser tag battles at home – and will stay active as they try to escape their opponents in the process. We’ve tried several different Laser Tag systems and thanks to the ease of use, and the variety of play options, this one was hands down the winner.

Each set comes with 4 blasters and 4 target vests – although the vests are optional (the guns can act as the receivers), they vibrate when shot creating an authentic laser tag experience. It is also available as a set of 2, but we highly recommend the larger set as it is a favorite for play dates, neighborhood get togethers and yes, even you will want to join in!

Our kid testers loved that they could switch their guns between 4 different shooting modes, the voice-guided directions (complete with “game over!” once you’re out) and that they could play in the dark with the night vision flashlight and cool invisible mode. The blasters have a 150-200ft shooting range so can also be played outdoors.

Trust us when we say, these will get tons of use. And if you’re a parent of tween/teen boys, we got amazing reviews from parents saying that this is one of the only toys that their kids are excited to play with their friends that is NOT a video game! That is worth it’s weight in gold.

Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

FRANKLIN NHL INDOOR HOCKEY/KNEE HOCKEY 2-IN-1 (AGE 6-12)

Ever thought you’d let your kids play a game of hockey inside? Neither did we, until we tried out the Franklin NHL Indoor Hockey/Knee Hockey 2-in-1 set which shrinks everything down to just the right size for fun and safe indoor play. The set includes 2 goals, 2 mini sticks for knee hockey (or the perfect “full” size for toddlers!), 2 height-adjustable street-hockey sticks, and balls for play indoors and out.

You don’t need much space for a great game, and we found that the light-weight nets can easily double as indoor soccer goals and be incorporated into imaginative play (hello forts!).

Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

BOOCHIE (AGE 8+ BUT YOUNGER KIDS CAN EASILY PLAY WITH DIRECTION FROM OLDER KIDS/ADULTS)

We had a ball testing out Boochie, a fast-moving game that is a far cry from your average sit-down board game. To start play, you throw the soft 12-sided Boochie target, and then each player (who get a ball, ring and wrist-tracker) tries to land their ball and ring as close to it as possible. You use the wrist-tracker to keep score (a big hit with the kids), and it gives you silly instructions on how to throw the ball like “toss between your legs” “with your eyes closed” and “while making a sound effect”.

Each game lasts about 15 minutes, a perfect length to keep kids interested, but our tester’s were having so much fun that they kept wanting to play “just one more”. All the game items fit into the included storage bag, and it’s a great one to take outside when the weather warms up.

Best Indoor Toys For Active Kids | Toys For Gross Motor Development That Help Kids Get Energy Out | Gift Ideas for Fun Active Play - Perfect for fighting cabin fever on rainy days or snow days!

SPIKEBALL (AGE 9+)

Spikeball is described as “the result if volleyball and foursquare had a baby” – it’s a fast-paced game that is really gaining steam with the older tween/teen crowd (editor’s note: we saw these all summer long at the beach being played by groups of kids…we wondered what all the fuss was about, but soon realized the immense fun once we gave it a try!). The game doesn’t require a ton of room, just enough to place the hula-hoop sized net on the ground, and for 2 teams of 2 to stand around it. You play by hitting the ball down onto the net with your palm so it bounces back up at the other team. They then have up to 3 hits between them to bounce it back. If they aren’t successful, the other team gets the point. Get to 21 points first to win.

This game gets intense pretty quickly, and requires a good deal of hand-eye coordination and agility, but they’ll soon be hooked…and you may be too!

What’s your favorite indoor toy that helps your kids blow off some steam? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

And don’t head off without checking out the other extensive gift guides in our What Moms Love Gift Guides For Kids series:

And we’re always working on more guides (coming soon: The Best STEM Gifts for Kids).

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And if that’s not enough, if you’d prefer to gift something that isn’t a toy but rather an experience that will stay with them for a lifetime, an educational present that can expand their horizons, a fun practical item that can be used every day, or a sentimental treasure with deeper meaning, head over to our popular Unrivaled Guide To Non-Toy Gifts. 200+ Presents For Kids Of All Ages (That Aren’t Toys!)

Stocking Stuffer Printable Coupon Book for Kids

This ultimate guide includes 8 parts:

BONUS! FREE PRINTABLE COUPON BOOK

Stocking Stuffer Printable Coupon Book for Kids

If you haven’t made it to our Making Memories or No-Junk Stocking Stuffer guides yet, we don’t want you to miss out on our free printable coupon book. This includes 12 super fun coupons in Christmas, Hanukkah and Birthday designs that your kids will go gaga over. Plus blank templates for you to personalize your own. These make the best stocking stuffer! Get more details and get the link to download here.

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17 Comments

  1. This is such an AWESOME list!!! That Bilibo looks like so much fun, and my mind wanders at all the things my little boy could imagine up to do with a toy like that! Maybe I’ll need to look into it a little more! Thanks for sharing <3

  2. I absolutely loved this post – so many amazing ideas! I know my kiddo is definitely getting some of these, and so many ideas for future years as he grows. Thanks so much!

  3. This is awesome!!! I’m always looking for fun, indoor activities with our Iowa weather! Such great ideas and love that it promotes gross motor development!!

  4. This guide is amazing. I have a niece who is active and I had no idea what to get her. I have so many options now! I may have to pick up one of the balancing toys for my daughter because she is really into balancing right now. Thanks for putting this together!

  5. Great idea’s! I love how that trike folds up. I can image kids loving the balance beams too – fun for hours! I’d be a bit scared to put the inflatable slide up in our yard… I fear the adults might think its for them (hehe)

  6. This list is AWESOME! There were so many things I had never seen before, and so many things I think my kids would absolutely LOVE!

  7. Pingback: Wondering what to do if you’re stuck inside with your kids all day? – Dallas Native Team | Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

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