Inside Games for Young Kids

Balloon Race

• Create a few games using balloons. Tell the children to line up beside each other and blow up a long and skinny balloon. When you say, "Release," they must release their balloons. The child whose balloon goes farthest wins the game. Alternatively, blow up one large balloon for each child. Have the children see who can hit his balloon in the air for the longest time without it touching the ground. Discard all pieces of broken balloons, as they can be a choking hazard for little ones.

Beanbag Throw

• Beanbags are available at many party supply stores and online. If you cannot find them, make your own using socks, rubber bands and uncooked beans. Place a laundry basket on the floor and mark a line about 5 feet from the basket. Have the children stand on the line and try to throw their beanbags into the basket. For a beanbag board, cut out holes in the bottom of a cardboard box and lean it against a wall. Assign points to each hole. Help children as they try to toss their beanbags through the holes.

Cotton Ball Race

• Place two bowls -- one empty and one with several cotton balls in it -- on a table. Blindfold one of the children and give her a large spoon. In a set time, she must try to transfer as many cotton balls as she can to the empty bowl. After each child tries, count the cotton balls successfully transferred to determine the winner. As another option, give each player one cotton ball and a straw. Set up a starting line and a finish line on a smooth surface (depending on number of players, a table top or wood floor will work). Have the players line up their cotton balls at the starting line. When you say, "Go," the players must use their straws to blow the cotton balls to the finish line.

Animal Card Games

• Print or draw animals on cardstock or index cards. Include two cards for each animal. Place the cards face down on a hard surface and help the children play a game of memory. The player who finds the most animal pairs wins the game. To add a creative spin, use the cards to play a game of animals by placing the cards in a single stack (face down). One child must pick a card up and place it on his forehead, making sure he does not see what it is. Tape the card to his forehead if needed. He can ask the other players yes-or-no questions about his animal. After 10 questions, he can guess the animal. If he is correct, he earns a point. The first player to earn five points wins the game.