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26 Indoor Energy Burning Toys for Active Toddlers and Children in 2021
Updated January 2021
With so many unknowns leading us towards the new year, one thing is certain... we need to plan ahead for a very long winter - at home. When kids are forced to stay inside, they still need to be active and burn off energy. Below are my favorite indoor toys that help develop gross motor skills and encourage kids to keep busy and stay moving.
If you are familiar with this website, you know we are not huge fans of plastic. However, due to the availability and functionality of certain products, sometimes exceptions need to be made. There are a few plastic toys featured in this list, but because your children may be isolated at home for the next several months, I think the benefits outweigh the risks.
If you are familiar with this website, you know we are not huge fans of plastic. However, due to the availability and functionality of certain products, sometimes exceptions need to be made. There are a few plastic toys featured in this list, but because your children may be isolated at home for the next several months, I think the benefits outweigh the risks.
Foamnasium Blocksy
• The Foamnasium Blocksy play couch includes two folding bases and two wedge cushions for fort building and other creative play activities.
• CPSIA compliant • Multiple colors manufactured, colors may vary. • Made in the USA Read more... |
The Best Balance Toy For Kids
• The Gonge Build N' Balance Tilting Disc is a unique and fun toy that your kids may never get tired of using.
• Designed to strengthen children's proprioceptive sense and balance. • Helps children understand their center of gravity. Read more... |
The Best Children's Stepping Stones
• The Gonge Hilltops offer a high play value and ample opportunity to develop gross motor skills, social skills, and creativity.
• Their stable design and non-slip rims make them perfectly safe for jumping activities and other games. Read more... |
The Best Jumping and Catching Toy
• The EDX Education Joey Jump is an amazing tool helps young kids learn to catch while keeping them constantly moving.
• Stomp on the board to launch a bean bag into the air and catch it before it falls to the floor. • Encourages physical activity and mental coordination. Read more... |
The Best Balance Beam For Toddlers and Kids
• This fun kids balance beam by Gonge can be adjusted to make lines, circles, or s-shaped paths.
• Very durable with anti-slip rubber edges. • Stackable for easy storage. Read more... |
The Best Coordination and Exercise Toy
• The Wheel Walker exercise toy by Fat Brain Toys has petal-like platforms turn walking into rolling. Each step makes the wheels roll one half rotation.
• Strengthens motor skills, coordination, balance, and concentration. Read more... |
The Best Standard-Size Pikler Triangle with Rock Wall and Slide
♥ Staff Favorite
• This Lily & River pikler triangle includes a reversable rock wall and slide accessory • Folds flat for easy storage • Helps develop balance control, motor skills, muscle growth, and self-confidence • Set includes one pikler triangle and one rock wall/slide made from premium Baltic birch wood • Made in the USA Read more... |
The Best Mini Pikler Triangle
• The Cassaro Kids mini pikler triangle is designed for infants who are just learning to stand. This cute mini triangle features a strong sturdy base and short dowel rods to let them climb over and on safely.
• Helps develop balance control, motor skills, muscle growth, and self-confidence • All wood used in Cassaro kids toys is FSC certified and free from formaldehyde, fire retardant, lead, BPA, PVC, phthalates, formadine, and cadmium. • Finished with a water-based lacquer and meets US and EU safety standards. • Building process minimizes production waste and leftovers from cutting planks are recycled for other manufacturing purposes. Read more... |
The Best Multi-Sided Pikler Triangle With Slide
• This pikler triangle built by Sweet Home From Wood is a multi-sided sensory triangle features 3 types of climbing walls, tunnels, and a slide.
• Made from birch plywood • One of the finest Montessori gross motor toys, also designed according to Waldorf principles. Read more... |
The Best Pikler Triangle and Waldorf Rocker 3-Piece Set
• This 3-piece set by Woodandhearts is the perfect toy to help kids test their coordination limits, build courage, and increase balance control.
• Made from high class polished birch plywood. Read more... |
The Best Waldorf Wooden Rocker
• This Waldorf wooden rocker by Cassaro Kids is truly the toy of all trades and allows your child's imagination to take over.
• Your child can pretend this rocker is a slide, a boat, tunnel, resting place, doll bed, puppet stage, lemonade stand - the possibilities are endless. • All wood used in Cassaro kids toys is FSC certified and free from formaldehyde, fire retardant, lead, BPA, PVC, phthalates, formadine, and cadmium. • Finished with water-based paint and lacquer and meets US and EU safety standards. • Building process minimizes production waste and leftovers from cutting planks are recycled for other manufacturing purposes. • Available in Rainbow, Natural, and Pastel Read more... |
The Best Waldorf Balance Rocker
• This multi-functional toy by Cassaro Kids can be used as a seesaw, balance board, slide, step stool, puppet stage, and more.
• The movement of this rocker awakens imagination, strengthens muscles, and promotes the development of balance. • All wood used in Cassaro kids toys is FSC certified and free from formaldehyde, fire retardant, lead, BPA, PVC, phthalates, formadine, and cadmium. • Finished with water-based paint and lacquer and meets US and EU safety standards. • Building process minimizes production waste and leftovers from cutting planks are recycled for other manufacturing purposes. • Available in Rainbow, Natural, and Pastel Read more... |
The Best Rocking Chair Toy
• Unlike a traditional rocking horse, this ride-on rocker by Cassaro Kids allows children to sit in a comfortable, lower position while holding a fixed handle bar.
• Heirloom quality and supports up to 80 pounds • All wood used in Cassaro kids toys is FSC certified and free from formaldehyde, fire retardant, lead, BPA, PVC, phthalates, formadine, and cadmium. • Finished with water-based lacquer and meets US and EU safety standards. • Building process minimizes production waste and leftovers from cutting planks are recycled for other manufacturing purposes. Read more... |
The Best Indoor Jungle Gym For Kids
• This fun indoor jungle gym is sure to keep your kids busy and burn off lots of energy.
• Includes monkey bars, climbing ladder, net, slide, and rings. • This high-quality indoor playset is built with a wooden frame and is easy to assemble. • Made in Europe. Read more... |
The Best Swedish Climbing Wall Playground
• The unique toy you are looking at is a kids climbing gym made popular in Europe.
• Its slim design can fit into some of the smallest homes and is a beautiful piece of equipment adored by many naturally-minded families. • Recommended for children as young as two and also well-loved and used by parents. • Includes a rope swing, rings, rope ladder, children's detachable horizontal bar, slide, and more. Read more... |
The Best Organic Cotton Play Tunnel
• This organic cotton toddler play tunnel by Lovevery encourages motor, strength, and coordination skills
• Crafted using baby-safe materials, including organic cotton Read more... |
The Best Indoor Soft Play Equipment for Babies
• This indoor soft foam play climber by ECR4Kids is designed to let infants and toddlers climb, crawl, and slide.
• Helps build muscle, balance, and large motor skills. • Soft covers are easy to wipe down with mild soap and water. • Greenguard Gold certified and phthalate-free vinyl. • Made in the USA. Read more... |
The Best Indoor Soft Play Equipment for Toddlers
• This large indoor soft play climber by ECR4Kids encourages play, creativity, and fun.
• Includes tunnels, wedges, platforms, and blocks for hours of fun, safe, and active play. • Greenguard Gold certified and phthalate-free vinyl. • Made in America. Read more... |
The Best Indoor Bounce House for Kids
• This indoor bounce house by Blast Zone will bring your children non-stop, active entertainment that they are sure to enjoy for years to come.
• Portable with a fast and easy setup. • Features a safe-slope slide and safety netting. • When not in use, the inflatable conveniently rolls up for storage. Read more... |
The Best Balance Board
• This multi-purpose Wobbel brand balance board doubles as a bridge, a hut, a step, a racetrack, or anything else your toddler can imagine
• Built with wood from strictly controlled plantations where replanting is guaranteed • Contains a child-friendly water-based translucent lacquer • Optional colored felt backing available • Also available in bamboo Read more... |
The Best Balance Roller
• This heavy-duty, sand-filled roller by Gonge was designed specifically for kids.
• Develops proprioceptive, vestibular, and tactical senses. • Compression of the rubber tires naturally reduces the speed while making play virtually silent and protecting the floor from damage. • Holds up to 220 lbs. Read more... |
The Best Easy Inflatable Fort
• This air fort builds in seconds with no assembly required.
• This huge air fort is perfect for sleepovers, parties, and playtime. • Requires a box fan, not included. • The AirFort Starry Night model features stars that glow in the dark! Read more... |
The Best Fort Building Kit
• This award-winning fort construction set by Fort Boards is sure to keep your children active for hours with fun, open-ended play.
• Helps develop engineering skills, spatial reasoning, and imagination • Combine kits to make extra-large creations • BPA-free Read more... |
The Best Ribbon Dancer Wand for Toddlers and Kids
• This Waldorf inspired dancing ribbon encourages open-ended play, creative play, and ignites children's joy and imagination.
• Designed to inspire play-based learning, sensory play, dance and gross motor skill development. • Lightweight, child-friendly Baltic birch wood wand makes it easy to control when running, jumping, twirling, and dancing. • Crafted with 100% real silk and hand-dyed with eco-friendly dyes. Read more... |
The Best Indoor Wooden Slide for Kids
• This beautiful, modern, heirloom-quality slide by Jupiduu is built from wood and colored with non-toxic paint.
• Made in Germany • Fun fact: Prince George received this slide for a 1st Birthday gift. • Available in white, green, blue, and pink. Read more... |
The Best Indoor Plastic Slide for Kids
• This Little Tikes slide is designed with a gentle slope and easy-to-climb stairs.
• This is one of the safest slides for kids because its extra-wide base helps prevent tips. • Folds for easy storage. • Made in the USA Read more... |
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