As the days grow colder, or you just need a day inside, we are tasked as parents to encourage indoor play. It can be scary to think about bringing the play inside, but with the right tools (or creative toys), this can be fun for everyone involved. Thank you to Marley & Moose for helping put together this list of 7 Indoor Play Ideas and the best ways to “use toys as tools” for interactive learning and creative play!
This article was sponsored by Marley & Moose, your destination for the very best birthday and holiday gifts for the kids in your life. Shop their curated collection of toys, books, games, puzzles and organic clothing in-person at 520 Mountain Avenue in Berthoud or online at marleyandmoose.com (use code slidesandsunshine for 10% off).
One thing I loved to do every time I went to my Grandma’s house was play dress up. We’d put on her fur shawls, some pearls and fascinators and pretend to go “out on the town”. My kids have always loved costumes and pretending to be someone somewhere else, whether that be a pirate on a treasure hunt, doctor checking temperatures or a chef in the kitchen. Playing pretend and using their imagination is one of my favorite reasons for going to themed playgrounds!
Dressing up and pretending allows children to experiment with different roles. It can build confidence as they create their own stories and characters. The creativity that comes out once a costume gets put on is off the charts! A set of fairy wings can have them whisked away to Neverland or a silk cape could turn them into a flying superhero. What are your kids favorite characters to become during dress up?
When we hear “play with blocks”, we often think this is too basic, but have you stopped to think about everything kids gain by doing just that? They learn shapes, sizes, balance, structure and more, all by stacking up blocks and watching what happens. According to Very Well Family, “This is one way that toddlers develop fine motor skills and explore concepts like early math, geometry, problem-solving, and cause and effect.”
Looking at the Blocks + Building Collection at Marley & Moose, you can see that blocks can be enjoyed by all ages, they just take on different shapes and purpose. Younger children will like larger blocks, colored blocks and those with numbers, letters and pictures they can learn. Older kids can be entertained for hours with a LEGO set, either by following the directions or by creating their own masterpiece.
A great way to spend an evening as a family is with a game night! Board games are wonderful with friends too, but we’ve discovered that it is our favorite activity as a family. Do you have a favorite game to play together? Add it in the comments below – we always love new game recommendations!
There are board games for kids to play together, games that teach problem-solving and strategy, and games that encourage multi-generational play. Playing a game is also a great tool in teaching your child how to react to wins, losses, competition, and a range of other emotions as they explore early sportsmanship.
I know we usually take our kids to the park to get in motion, but when the weather doesn’t agree, we need to bring it inside. There are many ways to move around with indoor play. To start, you can set up an obstacle course around the room (keep it contained to a small space to reduce the option of running through the house 😉 ). You can have a dance party or play freeze dance. There are also some great stretching, yoga and mindfulness apps or videos available. We like Cosmic Kids Yoga, what about you?
It’s delivery time! An indoor delivery bike or wheely bug are a great way to have some fun with a bit of motion. This adorable wooden bike is perfect for your littles as it has a bin at the front for “deliveries” or to bring along their favorite stuffies. Add your favorite ways to stay in motion with indoor play in the comments below!
Bath time is always a must so why not include it in the many ways to have fun indoors?! I am amazed at the creativity that can come with just a few accessories in the bathtub. One daughter loved to use bath bubbles and would have loved some bath crayons to create masterpiece. Another daughter loves all things swimming so she’d always have goggles handy to play search and rescue of her bath toys. My youngest would have an elaborate story with every toy she could find. I’d love see what she would’ve come up with using this ferry boat!
When we talk about utilizing toys as tools, it can be true for adults as well as children. Kids do activities like coloring because it is fun, but it also improves their hand/eye coordination, encourages their creativity and helps them learn to concentrate. Adults also can enjoy coloring as it can help reduce stress and promote mindfulness. With these coloring posters, watercolor paints and beautiful markers, you and your children can create a masterpiece together!
We have come across scavenger hunts at many playgrounds in Colorado and our girls love them! You can take that fun inside with an indoor scavenger hunt. Create one for the kids or they can create them for your or each other! For your simplest option, check out these scavenger hunt clues or try out these other options:
Want even more ideas? Check out all of the amazing toys and games available at Marley & Moose! Don’t forget to use the code slidesandsunshine for 10% off.
Thanks for joining us at Slides & Sunshine. Now it’s time to get out there and PLAY!
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