10 Activities for your High Energy Kid when your’re Stuck Inside

When it comes to high energy kids, weather is not our friend- I see you rain and snow. Most kids with high energy needs do best outside, where they can get fresh air, and access to multi-sensory experiences. Being stuck inside is often a recipe for disaster- and parent sensory over load! The proprioceptive sensory seekers will find anything to jump on- usually the couch, and the vestibular sensory seekers will hang upside down from the bunk bed, or spin in circles nearly hitting the TV with a flying arm. The Tactile seekers are touching everything, and I mean everything from every glass decoration on the shelf, to picking the carpet, to running their hands through the sink water. Now multiply those experiences by days or weeks or MONTHS due to season weather- it feels impossible! 

Not to worry, I am going to tell you my favorite indoor activities for high energy kids. And hopefully save your couch, carpet, and sanity in the process! 

1. Freeze dance

This one is a family favorite, and super simple. You can use music on your phone, a portable radio, or Youtube. You know the deal- when the music is playing you can wiggle, spin, jump as much as you want, but when the music stops you must FREEZE. No moving, no talking, until the music comes back on. Parents you can be “in charge” of the music – aka sitting down on the couch. Bonus: use these youtube links for freeze dance with your favorite movie characters. 

2. Obstacle course

This is an occupational therapists favorite because it is so versatile. You can make it short, or long, add sensory components specific to your child’s needs, make it easier or harder. There is a simple formula- Get a game with loose pieces this can be an alphabet puzzle, matching game, a stacking toy, Mr. Potato head- anything you have on hand. + a movement component – this can be hopping forward 5 times, crawling under the dining room table, slithering like a snake, somersaulting – what every you have or have room for in the house. That’s it! The child grabs one game piece, completes the movement activity or activities (to make it longer) then put the activity pieces together (ex: puzzle into the frame or stacking a block to make a 3 cube tower now). Return to step 1 and repeat until the activity is complete. 

3. Floor is Lava 

This is a classic! Chose items to be “rocks”, those are the safe spaces, the rest of the floor is lava! You can use pillows, rug vs tile, painters tape on the floor,  these stepping stones https://amzn.to/3FrW4TQ or https://amzn.to/3EZBIjm from amazon are so versatile (and saves your furniture). 

4. Yoga 

Yoga is great regulating heavy work, and if done properly can create quite workout. For kids, my favorite yoga tool is the Cosmic Kids channel on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@CosmicKidsYoga. Each episode takes the child through a story with fun characters, as she leads the kids into a variety of yoga poses. You can also use kids Yoga cards https://amzn.to/3FsxulL. To make it more fun the child can teach the group yoga, being the “teacher” is empowering. 

5. Balloon activities (keep it up)

Balloons are always a hit in our house. The key for sensory seekers is to keep it structured or goal oriented. Here are some of my favorite ways to use balloons in the house: 

• Keep it up (count or use a timer to see how long you can keep the balloon from hitting the floor)
• Balloon basketball/soccer- hitting the balloon into a designated target 
• Number the balloons and collect them in order 
• ABC game, say a word that starts with that letter before passing it to a partner
• Hot potato 
• Dodge ball (if you have an open enough area)
• Sweep the balloons into a pen or blocked off areas with chairs, turn the fan on to make it more challenging! 

6. Scavenger hunt 

This one is fun and easy on the parents (after the set up). Make a list of items to find around the house (sock, spoon, hair brush, teddy bear) and put into a designated basket. First person to collect all items wins. This is so easy to make easier or harder based on your childs age and needs. You can do a list of 3 items or 25. You can make the list things that are out in the open, or hidden well. You can make it a learning activity by using letters- “find something that starts with an A”. 

7. Animal walks

Animal walks, another pediatric OT favorite. Motor coordination, strength, motor planning, heavy work, vestibular- animal walks touch on many important skills. But its also fun for kids- they forget they are working or doing an activity that is actually calming their nervous system. Here are some fun ways to incorporate animal walks: 

• Animal walk red light green light 
• Charades style- don’t say what animal you are, just walk around until the other team guesses 
• Use a dice to tell you how many laps to complete as an animal.  6=6 laps 
• Try these animal walk cards from Amazon https://amzn.to/3Upr9eY
• Roll the dice animal walk activity https://amzn.to/3UtJ6cj

8. Hide and seek 

Another classic. Count to 20, then look all around for where your child is hiding. This gives them lots of movement opportunities (running to bed room, crawling under the table etc) but ALSO requires them to regulate and be quiet as you are searching for them. 

9. Wii/Kinect 

I am all for using screen time as a tool, and this is the perfect situation. Videogames that have movement are perfect for kids who need to get those wiggles out, but also gives parents a few minutes to take a break, or check things off the to-do list. 

10. Pillow pile crash mat

This one is always a child favorite! Have your child gather all of the pillows, comforters, towel, stuffed animals etc that soft and put them into a pile in an open space. For those of you who can keep up with a scheduled laundry day- this is a great activity for the day you chose to wash the linens. (I am not in that season of life yet- but a girl can dream!). Set rules (like NO diving on your head) and let them jump into the pile. I find that cannon ball style or belly flop style is usually the best and safest. Run and jump into the pile, even better make it the last step of an obstacle course (this keeps it structured). 

The snowy months or weeks of rain (hello Florida girl here) can be rough on families with high-energy children. Give these indoor movement activities a try to keep your kiddos sensory cup full, while you are stuck inside! 

Don’t forget to check out my inside Scavanger hunt FREEBIE for a ready-to-go movement activity!!