The snow and cold have arrived and finding ways to let your child release their pent-up energy so they will fall asleep at night is getting harder to do. Of course, getting them outside for some fresh air is still important, but admittedly, we usually spend more time bundling them up than we spend playing outside. (Let’s face it. We grown-ups get cold pretty quickly and we can only stand so much outdoor play time.) When frigid winter temps keep you in the house, here are a few ways to have fun and tire everyone out right in your living room:

Balloon volleyball – All you need is something that can serve as a net and an inflated balloon to get a game of balloon volleyball going. (Variation: No net, no problem. Just play “keep the balloon in the air”.)

Lightweight Punching Bag – Hang a balloon in a doorway and bop it. Make it a contest by seeing who can bop it the most before the timer beeps.

Beanbag throw – If you’ve got the space, you can set up your cornhole yard game in a long hall. Otherwise, you can make a target for bean bags out of just about anything. (Old ice cream bucket, tape squares on the floor, etc.)

Dance party – Crank up the music, move the furniture out of the way and boogie!

Scavenger hunt – Make a list of items around your home and send your kids on a scavenger hunt to find them. Make it a competition by teaming up and setting a timer.

Parachute – This is a school-gym favorite, but if you don’t have a rainbow parachute at home just use a bed sheet. Have someone hold each corner and fan the parachute up while someone runs underneath. (Variation: Bop a balloon around on top of the parachute trying not to let it fall off.)

Bowling – All you need is a walkway, a ball, and some water bottles.

Twister – This classic family favorite is still a lot of fun! It is also a great way for kid’s to practice “left & right” and their colors, too.

Obstacle course – If you’re not opposed to moving the furniture around a little bit, set up an obstacle course. If you want to make it more challenging, you could have the older kids hop through it on one foot or carry a book on their head all the way to the end.

And last but not least, every mom’s favorite, Clean-up race (with music, of course)!

Don’t let cabin fever get you down! Stay warm, get moving and have fun!