Try these easy homemade indoor playground ideas

We’ve all been stuck inside when there’s bad weather, desperately brainstorming rainy day activities to do with the kids or snowy day playtime ideas when it’s just too cold to go outside. Kids have bottomless energy and creativity, and we love keeping a few build ideas up our sleeve (or in the Notes app on our phone!) when you need bad weather playtime inspiration.

Courtney at @playroominspo helps her kids thrive by making sure they can blow off their “zoomie” energy with homemade indoor playground ideas, which aren’t dependent on the outdoor weather. “We live in Canada, which means we get lots of snow storms and it gets extremely cold — too cold for outdoor playgrounds. I love having active play ideas that are simple to set up to help get their wiggles out!”

Courtney shared her favorite Nugget® builds and snowy day playtime ideas to keep your kids moving and creating. 

Active Play Idea #1: Brave an obstacle course

How to build a Nugget® obstacle course: Use your Nugget triangle pillows as launch pads or hurdles. Stepping stones are great for practicing balance — you could also use an old hand towel or painter’s tape to mark spots on your rug or floor. A Pikler triangle makes a great addition here for climbing. Don’t forget to finish the course with a somersault onto a Nugget cushion.

Why Courtney’s kids love it: “My 4-year-old is loving somersaults and using the Nugget has made this much safer! He sets up the stepping stones himself and loves moving them around. This obstacle course is great because his little brother is able to have fun too. We are able to practice so many skills in one activity, such as jumping, leaping, climbing and balancing. They play with this for at least an hour, which is amazing!”

Active Play Idea #2: Activate your inner athlete

How to build it: Use your Nugget® cushions as a basketball backboard, a soccer net, or even a bowling lane.

Why Courtney’s kids love it: “My two-year-old and four-year-old love physical activities that include catching, throwing, and kicking. They have been getting very good with their basketball net! We will even turn out the lights and turn on a projector for some “cosmic” bowling which they absolutely love!”

Active Play Idea #3: Conquer the indoor playground

How to build an indoor playground at home: Create a surprisingly simple playground starring your Nugget® as a slide, tunnel, or supporting structure for a ramp. Add any other elements you already own to put your own spin on it. 

Why Courtney’s kids love it: “These activities are my kids’ favorites! We have a swing that attaches to the ceiling as well as one that fits in a doorway, which sets up in 5 minutes. It is so fun watching them run from activity to activity, which includes their favorite Nugget slide.”

Active Play Idea #4: Hit the arcade

How to build a Nuggety arcade: Create a Nugget® Skee-ball-style game using your Nugget to create a lane and a ramp that flings the ball into bullseye rings. Courtney says small baskets are a great option too.

Why Courtney’s kids love it: “Creating fun games that include tossing balls or beanbags is a must with my kids. That is why this setup is always in rotation. We switch it up by using small baskets or even laundry baskets! I love playing too if they let me.”

Active Play Idea #5: Get lost in an indoor maze

How to build it: Set up your Nugget® cushions to create a maze across the room. A collapsible tunnel makes a fun addition, too. You can extend the maze with boxes, or even painter’s tape on the floor. It’s a truly unique indoor playground idea that makes the most of the Nugget’s size and shape.

Why Courtney’s kids love it: “My 2-year-old loves when I create a maze for him and goes through it over and over again. The Nugget® is the perfect height for him so that he can’t see out. I also use painter’s tape on the floor for balance practice or to extend the maze which really makes my kids’ eyes light up. It gets used as a road for their vehicles after which makes it a great 2-in-1 activity.”

Looking for more indoor playground ideas to get your kids moving and playing? Check out Courtney’s page @playroominspo to find your next activity.