Skip to main content

Indoor ball games you can play with your kids

When you are stuck inside the house, many kids think it can be no fun at all. But it is the exact opposite! There are plenty of things that can be played in the house. Even playing ball; who knew? So many moms when we were little told us not to play ball inside the house. However, there are plenty of games that you can play with balls inside the house without fear of breaking any vases or knocking over any lamps! Here are some of our favorite indoor ball games that you can play inside with your children.

Indoor bowling

All you need for this fun and classic game are some paper or plastic cups to set up and knock down, and a ball big enough and just slightly heavy enough to allow its weight to knock the cups over. The great thing about this game is that you do not have to set up the cups perfectly or in any specific order. Be creative and try out different formations for the cups! Have one person rolling the ball, and another person setting up the “pins.” Then, switch it around so everyone gets an even chance.

Multicolored tabletop tennis balls
Ellen Qin/Unsplash

Tabletop battle

This game uses Ping-Pong balls and straws, as well as a cup and a place to play; a coffee table would be ideal. Tape the cup to the table at one end, and give each child a straw. Place the Ping-Pong ball on the table, and the children, using their breath, are to blow the ball into the cup. It is a fun game because the kids will be battling each other to try to keep each other’s ball away from the cup! They want to be the first one to get the ball in there.

Milk jug catch

Save some extra milk jugs for this fun indoor game! Cut two of them in half, and make sure the edges aren’t sharp. If they are, use some duct tape to put around the edges, and that will eliminate the sharpness. The point of this game is to take a ball, put it into the milk jug (make sure it is a light plastic ball, nothing too heavy that will break anything), and toss the ball up into the air, and the other person is meant to catch it with their milk jug. This goes back and forth until a winner is declared (which is entirely up to the kids or you).

Soccer ball on a wooden shelf
Aphiwat Chuangchoem / Pexels

Indoor soccer

Believe it or not, you can play indoor soccer games inside your house! Using clothes baskets as goals, you can use a lightweight ball where the kids won’t be able to knock it into anything and break it. Then, they can go at it and kick the ball back and forth and try to get it into one of the goals! They will have hours of fun with this game, kicking the ball back and forth, trying to get the ball into their opponent’s goal. Just make sure that there is enough open space for them to do this.

Indoor kickball

Indoor kickball is also another fun game that the kids can play! Again, it bears repeating that using a lightweight ball that won’t knock anything over is best. You should use a room that has enough space or be able to move furniture out of the way in order for the kids to be able to play. If you have more than two kids playing, you definitely want to make sure that they have enough room to play. They will love that they can play this in the house, especially if it is a rainy day outside!

Cardboard box basketball

This is a super-fun and super-easy game to put together. Just save a large box from one of your online orders, and you now have a basket. Using small plastic balls, the kids can try to score a basket by tossing it into the box. They can challenge themselves by standing farther back from the net (box) and see how far they can be while still scoring a basket! This is good game for little ones, too! They will love tossing balls into the box.

Whatever game you choose to play, your children will love playing them, especially because they are in the house and not outside! They will enjoy the freedom that they have to play around inside the house.

Editors' Recommendations

Jennifer Passmore
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jennifer has written two books on how to deal with living with chronic illness using the power of positivity. She has written…
Should your kids have an Apple Watch?
These are the pros and cons of an Apple Watch for your kid
A person checking their Apple watch.

If there’s one thing on every kid’s wish list when they get to a certain age, it’s a smartwatch. Wearables are the coolest and fun new gadgets for kids, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight with the demand for one. Smartwatches are the height of convenience, allowing users to leave their phones in their bags and do everything right there on their wrists. But since there isn't a kids' Apple Watch version available, children are getting the real deal.

With all the convenience, though, some people have major privacy concerns about wearable devices, especially when it comes to their children. When used correctly with appropriate parental controls, smartwatches, especially the Apple Watch, could be a boon to both kids and parents alike. But should your kid sport a device designed for adults? Let's see if children should wear an Apple Watch or if it's one more device they shouldn't be left alone with.

Read more
No pool toys? No problem! 7 safe, fun games to play in the pool for 8-year-olds
Running low on pool toys? Try these games to play in the pool that only requires the kids
Kids playing games in a pool.

Splish! Splash! Do the kids enjoy the swimming pool in the summer? Will they play in an indoor pool all fall and winter long? Whether you're hosting a pool full of friends of your 8-year-old, a birthday party, or a quiet afternoon of family fun in the pool, having a diverse menu of swimming games for kids is a must. Don't worry if you don't have a stock of pool noodles, beach balls, and floaties on hand in the shed. There are plenty of cool games to play in the pool instead of relying on toys. Many classic swimming games have been doing laps around backyard pools for ages.

Keep these fun swimming games in the repertoire. They're safe, easy to play, and are all games 8-year-olds — as well as kids of all ages — will enjoy when hanging in the pool. Even adults will have a splash playing games they used to when they were kiddos. Another perk to all of these splashin' swimming games? They all let kids work on their swimming strokes while having a blast. Grab your goggles and see what game you want to show your kids how to play.

Read more
10 cool talent show ideas for kids so they can wow their audience
Get ready to applaud, audiences will enjoy these fun talents show ideas for kids
Girl performs in a talent show

Talent shows like NBC's American's Got Talent have never really gone out of style. Audiences have always loved the format where everyday people show of their respective talents. Talent shows are also popular with the kiddos who aren't shy about performing.  As a parent though, you may wonder if your kid's talent can stand up to a more seasoned competition where the audience is not made up of just family members. If your child has signed up for a talent show either at school, camp, or your community center, don't worry. There are a lot of fun talent show ideas for kids to wow an audience.

How to decide on a talent show idea for kids
The first thing to do when your child tells up about an upcoming talent show is to say congratulations. Making the decision to take part in a talent show takes a lot of courage. So, be sure to be encouraging despite any reservations you may have. Next, it's time to come up with a number for the talent show.

Read more