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Like it or not, colder weather is on the way for much of the country, and so many children are starting to [understandably] bounce off the walls. With a month of winter left — and maybe an added six weeks depending on Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction on Groundhog Day — it might be time to invest in some indoor climbing toys, swings, ladders, and more so kids can ascend, swing, jump, or otherwise shake their sillies out without driving you up the wall too.
Turning your home into your own replica of Chuck E. Cheese — where many a kid’s dreams come true with all their places to climb, slide, tumble, bounce, and toss harmless objects at each other — can actually be a worthwhile investment year-round. Think about those rainy days, or way-too-hot days, or dreaded quarantine days when no one is heading outside either.
Best of all, you can keep a handle on the germs! Because you know indoor gyms are just crawling with them.
Here, we have gathered some of the play structures and toys that encourage toddlers and older kids to get moving indoors. There are foam blocks to stack, and beautiful wooden ladders to climb. We’ve also discovered swings and rings that can be installed safely indoors for our sensory-craving kiddos. Plus there are fun tools that encourage balancing play and aiming prowess. Find the right one of these, and your kids might find themselves disappointed when you’re finally able to get them outside to play.
Wooden Climber
This classic Montessori-inspired play structure is celeb-approved! Brittany Mahomes has one for kids Sterling Mahomes, 2 and Bronze Mahomes, 1 that she’s shown on her Instagram Stories. You can find similar ones from a number of manufacturers, and they can be reconfigured and used for balancing, climbing, playing, and fort-building.
Balance & Laughter in Any Space
This game invites kids to try to balance in 12 different poses to collect all the Sturdy Birdy cards. But first they must roll two dice — one that tells them where they’ve got to balance a bean bag, and another that determines how long they need to hold the pose, as other players count along.
An Indoor Rock-Climbing Gym
If you’re handy and/or already have a structure to which you can affix rock-climbing hand mounts like these, you can spend a lot less money. But some of us need something a bit more ready-made in this department, and in order to save the rest of our furniture (and children) from unplanned indoor climbing accidents, a wall like this (that comes with a soft landing mat!) is worth the extra cash.
Foam Climbing Blocks
If you still have time to save your couch cushions from permanent destruction by gymnastics-loving toddlers, we suggest doing so by picking up a set of these blocks. They’re great for crawling, sliding, somersaulting, and more.
A Soothing Indoor Swing
Playground swings can make kids feel like they’re flying, but sometimes they may instead be in the mood for a soothing place to hide from the world (or their siblings). These sensory swings make for excellent reading nooks too.
For Future Acrobats & Gymnasts
If your kids really enjoy being upside down, or just like to work on that upper-body strength, a trapeze-ring set that fits in your doorway can provide a better outlet than all the furniture and towel racks they may threaten to break otherwise. For this set, you’ll also need to buy brackets to attach to the doorframe.
An Entire Jungle Gym
The ladders, ropes, and trapeze rings on this set look like hours of fun for big and little climbers. It’s actually strong enough for grownups to get a workout on it too.
A Personal Bounce House
If you have enough space in your home to set up one of these, your kids might completely forget what they ever missed about carnivals and indoor playgrounds (certainly not getting kicked by other kids!). This one measures 10′ x 7′ x 5′.
Balance Board
Wobbling balance boards let kids rock and swivel, testing out their balance (and core strength) safely, indoors or out. They come in loads of different shapes and sizes for kids of all ages.
Mini-Golf, Reinvented
Get the whole family competing in this odd but kind of brilliant combination of putt-putt golf and pool. It’s not the most physically challenging sport indoors or out, but it will exercise your mind and, we expect, elicit plenty of laughter.
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