15 Fun Exercises You Can Do With Your Kids Indoors

When the weather’s bad or you're stuck inside, it’s easy for kids to get restless—and for parents to feel a little overwhelmed. But you don’t need a fancy setup or tons of space to stay active as a family. Your home, especially the living room, hallway, or even a cleared-out bedroom, can become a fun and creative workout zone.

Here are 15 fun, kid-approved indoor exercises you can do together. These activities burn off energy, strengthen muscles, and most importantly, get everyone smiling and moving.

1. Animal Walks

Kids naturally love imitating animals, so turn that into movement:

• Bear crawl: Walk on hands and feet with hips up, growling like a bear.
• Crab walk: Sit down, lift your hips, and walk backward.
• Frog jumps: Crouch low and leap across the room.

Great for full-body movement, these work balance, coordination, and core strength—all while being hilarious.

2. Freeze Dance

Turn on a favorite playlist and dance around the room. When the music stops, everyone must freeze in place. Hold the freeze until the music starts again.

Add funny prompts like “freeze like a superhero” or “freeze in a yoga pose” to keep kids laughing.

3. Balloon Volleyball

Blow up a balloon and divide into teams (or just take turns). Set a line on the floor with tape or a blanket and hit the balloon back and forth, trying to keep it off the ground. No intense serves—just soft taps.

It builds hand-eye coordination and focus while staying safe and gentle indoors.

4. Indoor Obstacle Course

Create an obstacle course using what you have:

• Crawl under chairs
• Jump over rolled-up blankets
• Balance across a taped “beam”
• Toss socks into a laundry basket

Time each run or go slow and steady—it’s just as much fun designing it as running through it.

5. Wall Sits and Plank Races

Challenge each other to see who can hold a wall sit the longest. Then try a plank hold. Or combine them into a circuit.

Let kids put a stuffed animal on your back during planks and see if you can keep it balanced—it’ll have everyone giggling.

6. Simon Says: Fitness Edition

A twist on the classic:

• “Simon says do five jumping jacks”
• “Simon says run in place”
• “Touch your toes!” (Did Simon say?)

It sharpens listening skills and gets bodies moving without even realizing it's exercise.

7. Yoga Adventures

Use simple yoga poses and turn them into stories. Or follow a video from Cosmic Kids Yoga. Try:

• Tree pose: become a tall forest tree
• Downward dog: crawl through tunnels
• Cobra: hiss and stretch like a snake

It’s calming, creative, and surprisingly strengthening.

8. Stair Climbing Games

If you have stairs, use them carefully for:

• Step-ups
• Stair sprints
• “Mountain climbs” with hands on steps

Turn it into a relay: run up, high-five a teammate, run down. Always supervise and skip this one if space is too tight.

9. Hula Hoop Routines

Even if you don’t have space to spin the hoop, they’re great for:

• Jumping in/out like hopscotch
• Rolling back and forth
• Using as a target for soft toss games

Light, colorful, and full of possibilities.

10. Scavenger Hunt with Moves

Hide objects or clues around the house. Each one has a fitness task:

• “Do 10 squats before opening the next clue.”
• “Hop like a bunny to the kitchen.”
• “Find the yellow toy and crab walk back.”

It's a mix of problem-solving and movement that keeps them engaged.

11. Bubble Pop Challenge

Blow bubbles and challenge your kids to pop them using only their knees, elbows, or heads. This one’s great for toddlers and elementary-aged kids, especially when you're trying to sneak in movement without structure.

Use a bubble machine for hands-free fun while you join the challenge too.

12. Partner Push-Up High Fives

Face each other in a push-up position. At the top of each push-up, high five with alternating hands.

Modify to knees or elbows as needed. It's fun, collaborative, and builds upper body strength for all ages.

13. “Add-On” Fitness Chain

One person starts: “5 jumping jacks.” The next adds: “5 jumping jacks, 3 squats.” Continue to build a chain of movements, testing memory and stamina.

Eventually, everyone’s doing a full routine—and it’s way more fun than a boring rep count.

14. Sock Skating

Slippery socks plus smooth floors = instant skating rink. Try:

• Skating spins
• Dance routines
• Figure eights

Make sure the floor is safe and free of hazards. This is a good low-impact option for kids who enjoy dancing more than typical workouts.

15. Dice Roll Workouts

Create two dice: one with numbers, one with moves.

• Numbers: 5, 10, 15, 20
• Moves: jumping jacks, lunges, sit-ups, bear crawls

Roll both and see what combo you land on. Or use a free dice roller app on your phone.

Bonus Tips to Keep the Energy Going

• Take turns leading: Give kids the chance to be the “coach.”
• Keep sessions short: 20 minutes of laughter beats an hour of dragging feet.
• Mix it up: Rotate games so they stay fresh.
• No pressure: Participation beats perfection every time.
• Fuel up right: A quick snack and water afterward keep the mood high.

These indoor workouts aren't just about fitness—they're about connection, laughter, and making memories. On a rainy day or a long weekend, turning the living room into a movement space brings out the best in family time.