caedmyn Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 (edited) My boys are driving me crazy with their wildness. They were doing reasonably well when they could spend a lot of time outside, but now it is snowy and cold (currently below zero) and often very windy. They go outside for a little while but hours a day is not feasible most of the time now. This is going to be a looong winter... Any ideas for helping them burn off energy indoors? We got a mini trampoline and they use it quite a bit but I can't tell that it reduces their energy levels at all. Actually it often contributes to the wildness because whoever's using it tends to see what silly tricks they can do to try to get everyone else to laugh. We do not have a basement or family room for them to run around in. ETA: I think it is not only that they burn off energy outside, but also they are occupied with doing things outside. They do play with Legos, Duplos, play food, board games, etc inside...but somehow those are just not as much fun as running around yelling and running into each other, bouncing off the trampoline into the walls, wrestling (which would be fine except it turns into unfriendly wrestling and trying to hurt each other within about 15 seconds every time) etc. Edited December 14, 2016 by caedmyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopmom Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 We've had- mini trampoline, rocker boards, easy steppers, scooters, plasma car, ball pits, indoor swings, rocking toys, bouncy balls/ Rody horse, big cushions to jump & roll on or knock over. This year, we're in town for classes for teens daily & stop at the library (lots of room & toys in there), Childrens museum (they have an indoor climber & huge blocks for stacking & building), a drop in bouncy house place, etc. Have not tried McD play place yet, but will. I've been eyeing a small geo dome climber for inside too. Do you have them in any activities? (I don't for my littles but have friends who swear by hockey, YMCA basketball, swim, etc) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aura Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Times like these are when I put my earbuds in and try to keep things to a dull roar. :glare: "Tent town" is a messy but relatively safe activity my kids like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raifta Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 We also have a big enough space that we can skip indoors. And we put up a chin up bar that the kids can reach (by climbing on furniture but that's been OK'd by us). They love the chin up bar. Another thing we have been doing together is the 30 day Spartan Trials fitness challenge. I love that it requires minimal equipment (free weights only so far - easily substituted with canned food if need be) and that it focuses on different aspects of fitness (upper body, lower body, balance and coordination etc). Darebee.com has lots of good fitness challenges and programs that are fun to do with kids. It also gets me moving! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lang Syne Boardie Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Can you join the YMCA (or a similar type rec center in your town) and go for two hours every single day? Basketballs for an hour and swimming for an hour? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 we have a basement, and when the kids were young, - we had a glider hanging from the ceiling. the kind you have to pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lang Syne Boardie Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 We once had a swing hanging from the rafters in the living room, and a slide, and an old couch that was safe for jumping on, and a chin bar, and an exercise bike, and a treadmill...we had a ping pong table in the garage for awhile... the part where they go crazy jumping on the trampoline and just shriek louder, that's just what children do. They need to. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyxwvut Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 I agree with all of the above, but when my kids get like that, sometimes more activity isn't actually what they need. They need their brains to be tired. You might get some relief by giving them some stuff to take apart (old fan with cord cut off, and a screwdriver, etc.) There are lots of stem activities you can bag up on pinterest, too. When you feel them headed toward chaos, pull out a few, and send them to opposite corners of the room. Some of that energy can be sent towards creative license. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 We also kept the garage clean for active play. I was able to purchase an inflatable for a good price which was awesome for chilly days. My kids loved making obstacle courses as well. We went to indoor play places often. An indoor pool can be your new favorite spot to hang out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Obstacle course. Include a stop watch and a place to Post results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllll Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 (edited) nm Edited December 25, 2016 by ..Kathy.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noreen Claire Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Following! My sons, ages 2, 4, and 7, are already making me nuts this winter! It's hard to get them outside when I have a baby in the house... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyxwvut Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 I just remembered: cardboard boxes. I didn't have any free ones, but they are cheap, so I bought a bunch one time. The kids cut and colored and climbed and slid and taped and created for weeks. It was great. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Is there an open gym you can visit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Um_2_4 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Gonoodle.com For small spaces, check pinterest for fort building ideas with pvc and sheets. Lycra tunnels (diy instructions on pinterest, sometimes called sensory tunnels) If they like wrestling, make body socks with lycra material and let them wrestle themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.