Parents on Our Team Swear by These Indoor Toys When It's Too Cold to Venture Outside (2024)

Best Overall: National Geographic Balance Stepping Stones

The National Geographic Balance Stepping Stones rank high on our list because kids can create obstacle courses, time how long it takes them to get across, or simply work on their balance. They’re made from a lightweight soft material for kids 3 years old and up and come in packs of either five or 10. Each stone is designed at an angle so kids have to pay close attention when they’re stepping on them, and they can be played with indoors as well as outside.

The Details:

• Recommended Age Range: 3 years and up

Best for Toddlers: Kiddey Ball Pit Play Tent

For some imaginative indoor play, kids as young as 2 years old can hop in and out of this 37 x 39 x 37-inch tent. Equipped with two see-through mesh windows and a front entry door that can be rolled and tied up to stay open, this tent will make kids feel like they have a cool clubhouse. While the tent doesn’t come with a set of plastic balls, you can purchase some and turn it into a ball pit for even more active play.

The Details:

• Recommended Age Range: 3-10 years
  

Best Playset: Avenlur Juniper Outdoor and Indoor Folding Playset

The Avenlur Juniper is impressively simple for hours of fun. This indoor and outdoor playset for kids features several functions, including a toddler swing (or baby swing, sold separately), a slide, a non-slip ladder, and a climbing wall. One of our writers received a sample of the Juniper from the brand, and her 3-year-old son is a huge fan. We love how the slide and climbing wall are on the same reversible piece that detaches for easy interchanging.

Assembling the Avenlur Juniper isn’t difficult, but it is time-consuming (it took us over an hour). Thanks to detailed instructions, putting together the many pieces is straightforward. Locking handles and anti-slip rubber feet ensure stability on any flooring type, whether indoors or outdoors.

The beautiful wood construction is a stunning addition to any home decor and doesn’t look like an eyesore, even in the middle of a living room. But the playset does fold to a compact size when not in use, making it effortless to store.

The Details:

• Recommended Age Range: 18 months to 6 years
  

Best Sports Toy: Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Dilly Dally Tootle Turtle Target Game

Great for developing hand-eye coordination, getting out some energy, and just general target practice, this game has kids between 3 and 6 years old toss bean bags at a Velcro board covered with numbers. The game can be played by one or two (or more) kids if you want to encourage your little ones to play together. If you choose to keep score, you can also use the toy as an opportunity to teach some basic math (either highest or lowest score wins).

The Details:

• Recommended Age Range: 3 to 6 years
  

Best for Multiple Kids: Obuby Connect N Build Kids Fort Building Kit

Creative kids as young as 5 years old can work together to build all kinds of imaginative things using this connection set. Fit the building sticks into the round ball connectors at various angles to build rocket ships, playhouses, tunnels, or whatever kids can dream up. These sets are available with either 85 or 120 pieces.

The Details:

• Recommended Age Range: 5-12 years
  

Best for Big Kids: Exploding Kittens Throw Throw Burrito Game

Who doesn’t want to spend their day tossing toy burritos at each other in a dodgeball-like manner? Players pass around their cards to each other, collecting them to make a match—while also trying to dodge burritos being thrown at them by their opponents. It involves strategy, problem-solving, and most of all, energy! This two to six-player game is best for kids 7 years old and up.It is equally fun for grown-ups too!

The Details:

• Recommended Age Range: 7 years old and up
  

Best Quiet Toy: Melissa & Doug Hop & Count Hopscotch Rug

One good way to burn off some energy and pretend you're still outside: hopscotch! This rug has the classic game colorfully laid out and numbered 1 to 10. It has a non-slip back so it can be safely played on uncarpeted floors, and it also comes with beanbags to toss instead of rocks. The rug measures 78.5 x 26.5 inches, is machine washable, and best for kids between 3 and 7 years old.

The Details:

• Recommended Age Range: 3-7 years
  

Best for Pretend Play: Endless Games The Floor is Lava Game

Remember pretending the floor was lava when you were a kid? Now that concept is an actual game for kids 5 years old and up. The game comes with colorful felt squares you can toss all over the floor. Players spin a wheel to determine which color square they have to jump to next, without touching the lava (floor) surrounding them. All that jumping and lava avoidance will definitely burn off some of your kid’s energy.

The Details:

• Recommended Age Range: 5 years and up
  

Best Splurge: Radio Flyer Blaze Interactive Riding Horse

If you’re at the point where you would pay just about anything to help your kid get their energy out, splurge on this riding horse. The horse is made for kids between 2 and 6 years old and under 60 pounds. The horse is attached to the framing with large springs that allow the rider to bounce as fast or slow as they want. Your little one will love the sound effects that are triggered by bouncing speed, walking, trotting, or galloping, or when they feed the horse its play carrot. The horse also comes with a comb so kids can feel like they’re really taking care of it.

The Details:

• Recommended Age Range: 2-6 years
  

Best Single Player: Air Hogs Gravitor with Trick Stick

Watch your kiddo have a blast defying gravity with the Air Hogs Gravitor! Children ages 4 and up can use their hands to make the gravitor fly like magic with no remote. The toy senses altitude, allowing it to hover above or below obstacles, and it can even master more than a dozen tricks. It's budget-friendly, durable, and rechargeable via a USB cord.

The Details:

• Recommended Age Range: 4 years old and up
  

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