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When the weather outside is frightful and you're cooped up indoors, cabin fever creeps in quickly—especially when you have active babies and toddlers on your hands. Not to mention, that activity is vital for your little one’s development—the CDC recommends 60 mins of active play every day.
So how can you keep the mood light and keep your kiddos entertained without wreaking havoc on your home? We asked our gear experts to recommend the best indoor toys to keep your busy bees buzzing until bedtime.
Table of Contents
- The Best Indoor Toys
- LEGOs
- Magna-Tiles
- Barbie
- Dollhouses
- Play Gyms
- Zoob Builderz
- Wooden Toys
- Subscription Services
- Play Tents
- Play Kitchens
- Indoor Climbers
- The Best Indoor Activities & Games
The Best Indoor Toys for Active Toddlers
There are plenty of toys that will keep both babies and toddlers happily engaged—without turning your house upside down. When you’re stuck inside, consider adding these indoor toys for toddlers to your shopping list.
1. LEGOs
- Retail: $49.99
- Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $20
- Age Range: 2 and older
LEGOs are legendary for good reason: both kids and parents love them. (As long as they don’t end up underfoot!) LEGOs are great for all ages, too, from young toddlers to older kids. Notably, it’s important to check the age recommendations on the box. LEGO manufactures blocks called Duplo for 2-year-olds. They are larger and easier to handle for those smaller hands that are still developing fine motor skills.
As children grow and want the structure of following instructions and the challenge of mastering a big project, the more complex sets are great activities for parents and kids—even tweens approaching 12 or 13 years old—to work on together.
Pros
- Sets for varying skill levels
- Promote fine motor skills
- Boost creativity and imagination
Cons
- Can be very messy
- Younger children have a hard time following the building instructions
2. Magna-Tiles
- Retail: $66.99
- Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $25
- Age Range: 3 and older
Magna-Tiles are essentially building blocks with safe, built-in magnets that allow each piece to effortlessly click together. They’re great for younger babies to manipulate, but engaging enough for older toddlers to build all kinds of structures, from castles and skyscrapers to race tracks and dinosaurs.
And because they’re so colorful, they can be great for learning to identify colors and, later, creating patterns. And—a nice bonus for parents—since the magnets adhere to one another so easily, cleanup is a breeze, especially compared to other types of building sets.
Pros
- Boosts creativity and imagination
- Great for learning colors and patterns
- Endless building possibilities
Cons
- Expensive
- You never seem to have enough
3. Barbie
- Retail: $25 - $40
- Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $9
- Age Range: 3 and older
Once upon a time Barbie was a marquee figurine, but today Barbie is an empire complete with all kinds of diverse dolls with inspired professions. From doctors and veterinarians, to astronauts and scientists, there are endless Barbies and accessories to play with. What’s more, they’re all quite unisex, so all kids can engage in pretend play, styling, dressing and role-playing with Barbie.
They’re also durable and well-made, so you’ll have the dolls and accessories for years to come. Just note: Some Barbie pieces, like shoes and sunglasses, may pose a choking hazard for younger babies, so make sure to keep them out of the hands of any little siblings.
Pros
- Lots of play potential
- Boosts creativity and imagination
- Teaches kids about all kinds of jobs
Cons
- Pieces can pose a choking hazard for younger babies
- Can be hard to organize all of the different accessories
4. Dollhouses
- Retail: $76.10
- Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $50
- Age Range: 3 and older
Toddlers love imaginative play—especially when it mimics their own environment. A dollhouse is a fantastic way for little kids to establish authority over their “own” space, all while exercising their imagination. And while dollhouses are great opportunities for solo play, they’re also great collaborative toys.
Kids can not only play with siblings and friends, but they can also play with parents and other caregivers or family members, like grandparents. In fact, these play sessions provide great bonding time—you can engage in some really meaningful dialogue as you role-play together. Also nice for older family members: Many dollhouses are large and can sit on a table in the playroom, so you don’t have to crouch down to interact.
Pros
- Lots of play potential
- Boosts creativity and imagination
- Great for collaborative play
Cons
- Can be expensive to fully furnish a dollhouse
- Small pieces can pose a choking hazard for younger babies
5. Play Gyms
- Retail: $140
- Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $88.66
- Age Range: 0 and older
Play gyms and activity mats are great for both babies and parents alike. That’s because they serve as a dedicated, safe spot for babies as young as newborns to lounge and get active playtime. In the early days, use the area as a tummy time mat; as baby gets older, use the mat as a spot for learning to roll and manipulating toys to enhance hand-eye coordination. (Just don’t forget that supervision is necessary at all times, especially during the baby stage!) Some play mats even turn into full-blown activity centers or forts for older toddlers.
These toys serve as a more hygienic place for baby, since they are usually outfitted with detachable, washable and durable items. Today, there are also options, like the Lovevery Play Gym, that don’t have any loud noises or bright lights, but are still created with baby’s development in mind. And once baby grows, you can always sell your play gym and get a bouncer.
Pros
- Lots of play potential
- Helpful for parents
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Can be expensive
- Can be hard to store
- Most play gyms have a relatively short lifespan
6. Zoob Builderz
- Retail: $42.50
- Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $25
- Age Range: 6 years and older
Like Magna-Tiles and LEGOs, Zoob Builderz are fun building toys that encourage exploration and imagination. The toy is basically an advanced version (but not quite as complex as larger LEGO sets), since it requires more dexterity and strength to lock the pieces together.
Parents love that there aren’t any small pieces to contend with (ideal if your older toddler has young siblings). Plus, the building set comes with a booklet to help budding engineers create to their heart’s content—the possibilities are seemingly endless, from bridges, robots and more. Another win in the parent’s column? Most Zoob sets come with their own lockable, handled storage bin.
Pros
- Comes with a carry case
- Inspires creativity
- No small pieces
Cons
- Pieces can be hard to snap together
- Not suitable for younger children
7. Wooden Toys
- Retail: $74.99
- Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $25
- Age Range: 1-2 years old
There are tons of great wooden toys (push toys, trains, activity cubes and more) for kids of all ages. And parents have a certain nostalgia for wooden toys. Not to mention, these Montessori-style play toys are also more durable than their plastic counterparts. They’re also a safer, more environmentally-friendly option for babies and toddlers—especially babies who are still putting most objects in their mouths.
Although widely available on Amazon, most wooden toys are thoughtfully designed by companies like Melissa & Doug to target baby’s developmental stage. The companies that manufacture these pricier items tend to put a lot of resources into their creation, too. Wood toys are built to stimulate without the noise and lights you’ll find in so many other toys on the market.
Pros
- Highly durable
- More environmentally-friendly
- Safer for babies who put toys in their mouths
Cons
- Can be very heavy
- Tend to be more expensive
8. Subscription Services
- Avg. Retail Price: $34.95
- Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: N/A
- Age Range: 4-10 years
A subscription service is a great way to ensure you always have a fun and interactive indoor activity on hand. And today, there are many great options, from baking kits, to science experiments and book clubs. A quick Google search will guide you—just type in your tot’s interests. Plus, who doesn’t love receiving a little snail mail?
Pros
- Recurring fun
- Easy to tailor to interests
Cons
- Can be expensive
- Most require significant parental help/supervision
9. Play Tents
- Retail: $69.95
- Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $25
- Age Range: 3-5 years old
Forts are fun, but it can be a drag to put all of those pillows and blankets away when you’re done. Play tents offer an easy solution since the end result is similar to that of a fort—there’s plenty of opportunity for imaginative play—but setup and cleanup is easier.
Some are even obstacle courses complete with ball pits to turn your living room into an indoor playground. (Great for toddlers developing gross motor skills!) No matter what version you choose, the pieces are typically foldable and almost always collapse into a handy storage bag when playtime is over.
Pros
- Easy to store
- Come in all different themes and sizes
Cons
- Can be a bit flimsy
10. Play Kitchens
- Retail: $146.63
- Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $70
- Age Range: 3 years old and up
A play kitchen is one of the most classic toys out there, and it’s easy to see why. They’re great for imaginative play and encourage kids to get creative as they mimic what they see happening in their own real kitchens every day. Kids can easily spend hours taking and fulfilling orders, then serving up delicious “home-cooked” food.
And if your little one really takes to the activity, you can always expand their horizons by adding items like a shopping cart, a checkout counter and all kinds of kitchen tools like mixers, blenders and more.
Pros
- Encourages imaginative play
- Fun for the whole family
- Easy to add companion toys
Cons
- Takes up a lot of space
- Deluxe versions can be expensive
11. Indoor Climbers
- Retail: $79.99
- Avg. GoodBuy Gear Price: $50
- Age Range: 2-5 years old
Active kiddos who love gymnastics and outdoor activities like climbing will go crazy for these soft foam blocks from ECR4Kids. Place them together to create an obstacle course in your living room or playroom, and watch your 1-, 2-, and 3-year-old kids go indoor climbing or use them as stepping stones until they have absolutely no energy left.
Once they’re tuckered out, they can use the blocks as pillows for lounging during family movie night. They may be expensive on Amazon, but you can get them for a fraction of the price when you shop secondhand.
Pros
- Soft foam
- Made for very active kids
Cons
- Require adequate supervision
- Hard to store
The Best Indoor Activities & Games for Kids
There are plenty of great indoor toys and games, but you don’t have to pick up the best toys to have fun inside your playroom or living room. With a little creativity, there’s plenty of fun to be had when you can’t engage in outdoor play. Here, you’ll find some of our gear experts’ favorite ideas for indoor play.
1. Scavenger Hunt
Recommended age range: 2 years and older
Make a list of 4-10 items or places in your home to “find.” For example, a suitable list may include “a picture with grandma in it, a flower, an apple and a beloved stuffed animal.” Then, walk around the house to locate each thing.
Once you find it, cross it off the list. For younger kids, be sure to include pictures to help them identify what they’re looking for. For older kids, give them a little more freedom to find everything themselves. You can even sweeten the deal by offering a small prize—a lollipop, for example—to the winner.
2. Treasure Hunt
Recommended age range: 2 years and older
Similar to a scavenger hunt, but instead, you purposefully hide items within your home and send your kiddos searching for them. Alternatively, you can contain the activity by hiding items in a sensory bin filled with something like rice or kinetic sand. Remember: Kids are easily delighted, so you don’t need to hide anything fancy—a few chocolate coins or rocks they can paint later are totally sufficient.
3. Riddles
Recommended age range: 3 years and older
This is an easy guessing game that doesn’t require any supplies—just a little creativity on your part. Like “I Spy,” you select one item in the room. Then, you give your kids small clues until someone guesses the item in question. For example, if the chosen item is a roll of paper towels, you might say: “I used to be a tree, you see me every day…” and so on. Keep giving clues until they arrive at the answer.
4. Card Games
Recommended age range: 4 years and older
Card games like Uno, Go Fish and War are classics for a reason. These games are basic enough that preschoolers can grasp the rules, but engaging enough for collaborative play with older children and adults. And if the kids tire of playing by the rules? Cards are highly versatile, and you can always use them to build a house or wow your tots with your shuffling skills. Trust us: To toddlers, those simple activities are true games.
5. Forts
Recommended age range: 3 years and older
Building a fort is a great way to teach your kids about problem-solving. Plus, what child doesn’t love building their own super secret hideaway? And if your kiddos are of reading age, you can use the structure as a way to entice them to dig into a book. Somehow, the simple act of reading with a flashlight turns the chore into a treat.
6. Dots and Boxes
Recommended age range: 4 years and older
If you have a pen and paper and a toddler who has some control over a pencil, you can play dots and boxes. It’s easy, simply draw a grid of dots—four by four is a nice, manageable size for beginners, but you can play with as many dots as you’d like. Once your grid is set up, each player takes turns drawing a straight line to connect two dots. If your line makes a full box, you put your initial inside (you could also each choose a color or symbol, if that’s easier for your little one to execute). Each time you make a full box, you get to repeat your turn. Eventually, the grid will be a complete series of boxes. Count the boxes to see who scored the most!
A snowy or rainy day doesn’t have to be a bad day—especially if you’re armed with plenty of games and activities for your little one. But stocking your home for winter weather doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. The toys on this list make great holiday or birthday presents, plus there are plenty of totally free activities you and your kiddos will both love, too.
