20+ Toys For Indoor Active Play: The Tot Gift Guide
As parents who know that going outside to play isn’t always an option, we could not be more thrilled to have discovered these game-changing products that can be used for active play both inside and out.
Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity. —Kay Redfield Jamison, M.A., Ph.D.
It’s no secret that active play is crucial for both your child’s cognitive and physical development. Not only does it strengthen muscles, motor skills and coordination, it’s also important for healthy brain development, which enables children to start to engage in the world around them, learn how to handle different emotions, establish routines and create healthy habits.
Depending on where you live or what the weather is doing outside, it’s not always easy to comfortably facilitate active playtime. Yards can be full of snow or muddy grass, the park could be closed for construction, or the world could be experiencing global pandemic and temporarily closing schools.
Even though it may seem like the perfect excuse to curl up and watch a movie, it’simportant that your child gets to get their body moving, mind racing and blood pumping every day. This type of play and exercise is heavily encouraged by health professionals and proven to be imperative to a child’s development of social skills, ability to learn and capacity to process emotions.
Examples of active play
A few examples of active play include:
- Climbing
- Balancing
- Sliding
- Playing in a ball pit
- Stepping
- Bike riding
- Yoga
- Make believe
Examples of active play toys
A few examples of active play toys include:
- Climbing triangle & ramp set
- Balance board
- Slide
- Ball pit
- Stepping tiles
- Bike
- Play mat
- Yoga cards
- Indoor playhouse
- Indoor space ship tent
As parents who know just how important a solid play session is before dinnertime, we are absolutely loving the toys below in particular.
Our favorite toys for active play
Climbing triangles, arches & ramps
Made in the USA from child-safe wood and non-toxic VOC-free finishes, Lily & River’s Pikler Triangle is just the thing your baby and/or toddler need to strengthen their muscles while learning how to balance, hang and climb! With many uses suitable from birth, it’s also something that can be used outdoors!
Lily & River Birch Wood Climber
Ranging from $350 to $533.95
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors
Lily & River Bamboo Climber
Ranging from $449.95 to $633.95
Available in more colors
With exciting indoor play options from babies to big kids, Wiwiurka’s range of wooden climbing triangles and arches were designed to promote creativity and develop gross motor skills while providing hours of open-ended play. We especially love the innovative Baby Taduez which is a bench table for your infant or toddler that doubles as a climbing dome and play gym!
Wiwiurka Foldable Climbing Triangle
Ranging from $300 – $345
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors and in Natural
Wiwiurka Foldable Triangle with Rock Climbing Board
Ranging from $485 – $525
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors and in Natural
Wiwiurka Foldable Triangle with Reversible Ramp
Ranging from $445 – $490
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors and in Natural
Wiwiurka Climbing Arch
Ranging from $235 – $255
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors and in Natural
Wiwiurka Climbing Arch with Reversible Ramp
Ranging from $380
EXCLUSIVE
Wiwiurka Baby Tadeuz
Ranging from $200 – $220
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors and in Natural
Wiwiurka Climbing Furniture Combo
Ranging from $680
EXCLUSIVE
Balance beams
Ideal for 2 to 8 year olds and made from premium, FSC-certified hardwood with a non-toxic, VOC-free finish, the Lily & River Little Gymnast Balance Beam helps develop self-confidence, motor skills, balance control, and muscle growth.
Lily & River Little Gymnast
$129.95
EXCLUSIVE
The Wiwiurka Wooden Balance Beam is made from premium Pinewood and its 5 connectors allow it to be easily set up in a number of different ways, making a new, and exciting obstacle every time!
Wiwiurka Wooden Balance Beam
$140
EXCLUSIVE
Balance board
Available with a raw or felt bottom, these genius balance boards can be used in numerous ways! Balancing, rocking, yoga, as a chair, step stool, slide, bridge or stage…to name a few. The Wiwiurka Double Rocker Balance Board is even big enough for two to play together!
Wobbel – The Original with Felt
$189
Wobbel – The Original
$149
Wiwiurka Rocker Balance Board XXL
Ranging from $390 – $405
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors and in Natural
Wiwiurka Double Rocker Balance Board
Ranging from $300 – $320
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors and in Natural
Jungle gym bars
Perfect for any indoor or outdoor space, the Wiwiurka Jungle Gym Bars Combo will develop hand-eye coordination, balance, and motor skills. This epic play gym is great for solo play or with friends!
Wiwiurka Jungle Gym Bars Combo
$235
EXCLUSIVE
Slide
Easy to climb up and very fun to slide down, the Jupiduu Slide brings the playground to your child’s bedroom! Slides get little hearts thumping and can be a wonderful way for kids to learn social skills like taking turns. (It can also be used as a ramp for toy cars or an escape route for stuffed animals!)
Jupiduu Slide
$349.90
Ball pit
Made from soy-based foam with a 100% organic cotton outer, the Balu Organics Large premium Ball Pit can be used for hours of indoor sensory play! Fun for babies to use for tummy time, toddlers to explore and big kids to use for jumping, throwing and containing, it’s free of harmful chemicals such as BPA, BPS, phthalates, polyurethane foam, formaldehyde, PVC and flame retardants.
Balu Organics Large Premium Ball Pit w/ 400 Balls – Grey
$289
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors and sizes
Stepping tiles
Learning colors while gaining important balancing skills just got a whole mote fun thanks to Lily & River! With this set of stepping tiles, kids can make obstacle courses, patterns, or use them in a game of make-believe! They’re also a great way to help teach kids how to follow directions.
Lily & River Little Steps
$99.95
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors
Bikes
Balance bikes are quickly becoming a must-do before taking on pedals and we simply cannot stop raving about the Grove Wooden Rider and Banwood First Go! balance bikes. Designed with an adjustable seat and non-skid wheels, your tot can loop the living room or dash down the block on their Banwood Bike. The Grove Wooden Rider is lightweight for easy travel and storage and its rubber wheels provide a smooth ride for your little learner.
Banwood Bikes First Go! Balance Bike
$189
Grove Wooden Rider
$159.99
EXCLUSIVE
Available in more colors
Playmat
Playmats are a great space to let kids practice their yoga moves, meditate or stretch. Made with a natural latex foam insert, the Toki mat cotton cover is machine washable making it a practical option for all!
Toki Mats Rainbow Watercolor Playmat
Ranging from $165 to $275
Available in more colors and sizes
Mindful & Co. kids’ yoga memory card game
We love the Yoga Memory Card Game from Mindful & Co. Kids because it can be used for quiet playtime as well as active play time! Each card features a kid-friendly yoga pose that they’ll love practicing!
Mindful & Co Kids Yoga Memory Card Game
$34.50
EXCLUSIVE
Indoor playhouse
The Domestic Objects Playhouse is a fun way for kids to work up a sweat learning how to run a household! From decorating to doing yard work, this easy to pack away tent comes in three colors to suit any decor!
Domestic Objects Playhouse
$299
Available in more colors
Indoor space ship tent
5….4….3….2….1! Your tot will love blasting off in this adorable Space Ship Tent from Domestic Objects!
Domestic Objects Space Ship Tent
$165
Continue exploring
- What we’re reading: 10 Important Life Skills To Teach Your Kids When They’re Young
- Wondering what open ended play is? In this guide, we break down the ideology behind open ended play and share our favorite multi-use toys!
