Big body play in toddlers is essential for their development. It involves activities that encourage large muscle movement, like crawling, climbing, or playing with large toys. This type of play helps toddlers develop coordination, strength, and spatial awareness, laying a foundation for their physical skills and overall well-being. It’s a crucial part of their early learning growth.

Big body play is a fantastic way to let your little ones burn off energy, especially when we’re stuck inside in these negative temperatures. Instead of feeling like another task, think of it as a chance for them to tire themselves out, making bedtime a bit smoother for you. Simple activities like dancing, playing with small gym equipment, or even an indoor obstacle course can be both fun for them and a moment of relaxation for you.

We all know that feeling when the weather decides to play hide-and-seek with our outdoor plans, and suddenly the living room becomes the entire universe for our little ones. But fear not! The magic of big body play isn’t confined to open fields or playgrounds – it’s alive and thriving right in the heart of your home. Let’s explore the importance of letting your kiddos unleash their boundless energy within the four walls.

I’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite indoor items for when we can’t head out to the yard or the park. Heck they’re great for after daycare when my own boys catch a burst of energy and I just need to sit. (It’s okay to say ‘show me’ instead of always being directly involved, go sit down momma!) We’re about to turn your living room into a haven of playfulness and giggles with a curated list of fantastic products!

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All items linked below are to items we either currently have or as close as I could find to our living room playground!

Mini Trampoline

Mini trampolines are great for all ages. From your crawler to the bigs. They’re close to the floor so a potential tumble isn’t catastrophic, most come with a handle, and you should definitely get one with the handle, and they’re just plain fun.

Picture this: your little one bouncing away on a mini trampoline, pure joy radiating like sunshine. Mini trampolines aren’t just pintsized versions of their bigger siblings; they’re like magical portals to a world of giggles and boundless energy. These bouncy wonders are like a secret handshake between fun and fitness for young children. There’s nothing quite like the look on your kiddos face when they’re flying way up (like 4 inches) into the air.

Small Slide

Indoor slides for toddlers are like the MVPs of playtime. These compact items aren’t just about the thrill of the slide – they’re stealthily working on your little one’s coordination and balance with each gentle descent. It’s a perfect combo of fun and skill-building, wrapped up in a colorful slide shaped package.

I was a little leery bringing out the slide recently, I have an almost 14-month-old and while I am a big advocate for some risky play in our littles, I wasn’t sure I was ready for this yet. While these slides aren’t large, it’s still a ways for their little bodies. For the first two days he would go up one step then step down and watch the next child climb up then he would try a step again and climb back down. Then he went up the second step and was able to slip onto the top of the slide and down he went with the most shocked look I’ve seen on his face. Now he’s a pro and loves this little slide.

Depending on your space you can get solid or folding slides. Also be sure there is something to hold onto at the top. Our little slide is definitely a source of joy and excitement for these kiddos.

Rock Wall

Now this one I do not personally have but my sister does…set up in her living room…all the time. Because why not. Be sure to get something safe for underneath in case of a fall. This is a fun and engaging way for them to burn off energy while simultaneously enhancing their coordination and problem-solving abilities.

Soft foam Climbing Blocks

We purchased these blocks for my 1-year-old this year for Christmas and let me tell you, like the mini trampoline these are some of the greatest items for the one year olds all the way to the 5 year olds. They are often spaced around the room as Alexa is playing the floor is lava, they’re used for obstacle courses and homemade ninja courses. They’ve been stacked for a king’s chair and have been used to build a wall for a playhouse. This is the first item that gets taken out in the morning. Beyond the excitement, these foam blocks are secret agents of motor skill development, promoting balance and coordination.

Parachute

I remember as a kid this was my favorite activity in gym class. I love that the parachute is still a very go to item. It is so fun, and there are so many game options. You probably need a few people to get a good game going but check out a smaller size for indoors.

Some game options

1. Popcorn: Toss lightweight balls or bean bags onto the parachute and try to make them bounce off
2. Mushroom: Players lift the parachute, then sit or stand on the edges, creating a mushroom shape
3. Tag: One person s ‘it’ and tries to tag others as they run under the parachute
4. Cat and mouse: Players move the parachute to trap a ‘mouse’ running around underneath
5. Volleyball: Using a soft ball, volley it back and forth by moving around the parachute

Balance stepping stones

These stepping stones encourage balance, coordination, and spatial awareness as toddlers navigate from one stone to another. The varying heights and textures of the stones engage different sensory experiences, aiding in sensory development. Clean up is a breeze with this set, either stack them high or stack them together. There are so many options for this neat toy and another great way to play the floor is lava!

Bouncy House

A few years ago, I lucked out on a black Friday sale and found a small bouncy house that was perfect for my toddlers. It comes up each year now for a few days right after New Years. While I recommend a bounce house for the ultimate big body play item, they do take up a bit more space and require some maintenance. I’m talking about the dreaded leak. There’s not a lot of complete silence with children involved to find that but be sure to have a good air pump and patches on hand.  

Small Ride On Toys

You don’t need a lot of space for kids to be able to drive on small scooters or those pedal free balance bikes. Many do well on carpet and a kiddo wanting to race a scooter is going to find a way to make it work! These toys promote gross motor skills development as toddlers engage in pushing, steering, and navigating the ride-on vehicles, enhancing their coordination and muscle strength. Having a few of these goodies indoors provides a safe and controlled environment for toddlers to practice balance and spatial awareness.

Sitting Scooters

This was always another one of my favorite gym class activities and when my 4-year-old asked for one for his birthday, my first thought was bring on allll the squashed fingers. We got him one, he loves it. He scoots around the kitchen and dining room and so far, the finger squashing has been minimal.

Pickler

Picklers, or climbing triangles, are so cool!! These can have climbing structures, slides, rock walls, rocking arches. Your kiddo can climb and rock and slide and balance. Some come in bright colors while others have a natural wood color and a huge bonus, most fold up for very easy storage. I love having this as part of our rotation.

Indoor Snowball Fight

I am the last person who is going to encourage children to throw in my home. It doesn’t matter that my home is also a daycare, I still like to have some nice stuff. That being said, over the years I have found a training tip that I once thought to be absolutely bonkers to make a whole lot of sense.

That tip was along the lines of: If you have a child that won’t stop jumping off the furniture, give them something they can jump off. If you have a child that struggles with their emotions, give them a pillow they can squeeze or yell into when they’re frustrated.

You get the gist.

You can make snowballs out of crumpled paper or buy large cotton ball like snowballs. Have your kids make a wall with pillows or blocks and have a snowball fight. Put on your hat and mittens for some added fun.

In the grand saga of parenting, big body play indoors is the unsung hero we all need. When the weather plays referee and keeps us inside, unleashing the power of toddler sized tornadoes tearing through the living room becomes the ultimate game-changer. It’s not just about avoiding cabin fever; it’s about embracing the chaos with laughter as your little one practices their Olympic-level jumps and spins. Big body play is like a superhero cape for toddlers, fostering growth in motor skills, imagination, and social savvy. And let’s not forget the real MVP – the tired momma who transforms into a ninja dodgeball expert and a living room safari guide, all while secretly plotting a master plan for naptime. So, here’s to the indoor acrobatics, the laughter induced workout, and the tired mommas who deserve a standing ovation for turning the living room into a playground of epic proportions!

I would love to know your favorite indoor activities!!