Gift Guide for Toys to Keep Kids Moving

Before I dive in to great toys and activities to keep kids moving, a disclosure: portions of this post are sponsored.  I’ve received a form of compensation in exchange for featuring some of the items in this post; however all opinions, experiences, and bad puns are 100% my own.

With kids’ birthdays sneaking up on you, and Christmas being a close -um- nine months away, it’s time to start pondering gift ideas for the kiddos in your life.  If you’re like me, you may be looking for toys and activities that promote getting active, rather than passively sitting in front of a screen.  While I’ve already mentioned games and activities for preschoolers, these toys are geared more for an older crowd, say ages 6 – 106.  😉

Here are some great gifts to keep kids moving, both indoors and outdoors:

(Laser) Tag! You’re It! 

My kids, particularly my son, enjoy a good game of Laser Tag, and have really dug the Laser X we got for Christmas last year.  We have recently added a few more Laser X systems to our -ahem- arsenal, and my son finds it super cool that the different systems can work together!  Each Laser X set is ages 6+ and requires 6 “AAA” batteries (not included but you can grab some here ).  Here are a few of their great systems:

• Laser X Evolution, sold exclusively at Walmart, is a new addition to the Laser X family and works with all previous Laser X products!  Laser X Evolution is like having a laser tag arena in your own backyard! Blast opponents up to 300′ away – inside or out, in darkness or bright sunlight. Choose from more than 20 team colors to light up your blaster! Blaster beams go through windows and strategically bounce off walls and mirrors to hit opponents, while quick-slide reload keeps the action going. Advanced sensors on the blaster allow an interactive voice “coach” to offer tips and tricks throughout the game. All Laser X gear works together. Games can include unlimited players. 
• Laser X Revolution can be found at Target and getlaserx.com.  Laser X Revolution is like having a laser tag arena in your own backyard! Blast opponents up to 300’ away – inside or out, in darkness or bright sunlight.  Choose from more than 20 team colors to light up your blaster! Blaster beams go through windows and strategically bounce off walls and mirrors to hit opponents, while quick-slide reload keeps the action going. Advanced sensors allow an interactive voice “coach” to offer tips and tricks throughout the game. All Laser X gear works together. Games can include unlimited players. 
• Laser X Micro B2 Blasters are the most portable, easy-to-use Laser X Blasters! At 5-inch, these blasters feature state-of-the-art lighting and sound effects that bring the excitement of a laser tag arena right to your own backyard. My son liked that no receiver vests are needed, because a receiver is built right into each blaster! With a blasting range of 100, Micro B2 Blasters work with all other Laser X gear. Games can include an unlimited number of players. Play one-on-one, in teams or set your blaster to “rogue, and every player’s on their own! 
• Laser X Long Range Blaster My son was excited to add this to his Laser X collection.  Having a few other sets already, he likes to be able to interchange them at his own whim.  The Long Range Blaster’s range of up to 500’ feet allows for further extended battles, which is fabulous when you need your kids to get some fresh air and exercise outside!

Tossing the Ol’ Pigskin

My kids play baseball and softball.  The All Pro Passer product allowed them to add variety and novelty to their outdoor workout and play.  While catching a football-shaped toy isn’t *quite* the same as catching a baseball or softball, this provided a good opportunity to stay agile and improve catching skills, especially over-the-shoulder catches while in motion.

Become a Spy! (….or a prankster)

My kids enjoyed playing around with the Spybots Room Guardian …but perhaps probably not the way it was intended.  They would sneak it in to a room of choice, and then call a family member in and giggle uncontrollably when the “alarm” was set off!  My 13 year old daughter added it could be a good tool for keeping nosy little brothers out of her room. 😉

Wubble Rumblers 

Wubble Rumblers are a versatile set of inflatables that can entertain your kiddos (and -um- maybe also parents) for hours! Styles include a Wrestler, Ninja, Fist, or Karate Hand.  The Wubble Rumblers are made for good old rough and tumble fun!  Battle it out with friends with this ultimate accessory for play fighting.  The Rumblers inflate a gigantic three feet tall!  Rumblers are squishy, squashy, super soft and 400 times more elastic than a typical inflatable – from the makers of the Super Wubble Bubble Ball!  Because the material is strongly made, can be played with inside or outdoors.  Enjoy hours of big bopping fun as you get your rumble on! The Wubble Rumblers are recommended for ages six and up, and each inflates in minutes with the enclosed nozzle – and for some that may be part of the fun experience! 

Climb Away

As a teacher and a parent, I cannot stress enough the value in climbing and risk-taking.  If you have the space to do so, creating a climbing wall would prove to be a great addition to your kiddo’s home!  Check out this rock climbing wall set  – it comes with a rope, two handles, 25 rock holds, and all the hardware to create your very own rock climbing wall, either inside or outside!

En-Door-Fun

Yes, I made a very bad pun there.  😉  During rainy or ridiculously days, you’re still likely going to have kids who need to move.  Accessing their vestibular input can make a world of difference for some kids.  Invest in a doorway bar that can change out multiple apparatus.  This indoor gym set includes indoor swing, plastic rings, trapeze bar, climbing ladder, and swinging rope.  It assembles in minutes, without any drilling holes in any doorway 25” – 36”, and holds up to 300 lbs. This is certain to keep kids moving no matter the weather!

Don’t Be a Couch Potato When You Can Have a Couch Nugget

Ok.  I reached out to my friends to get some more ideas, and I must admit, I found the Couch Nugget to be the coolest suggestion, by far!  I mean, it’s a couch that was made for fort building, and so much more!  It promotes imagitinive play, as well as gross motor play.  It’s machine washable, and uses Low-VOC CertiPUR^TM Certified Foam.  Psst, you can utilize your Couch Nugget with your climbing wall, and your doorway swings, too!  😉 (Yes, I realize this is more of an “indoor” item for most families, but it’s such a cool product, I simply had to include it!)

Stepping Stones and Balance Beams

Finally, get a good set of versatile stepping stones and balance beams for your kids to incorporate in to their play.  These durable, soft stepping stones can work alone, or alongside a good set of balance beams which stack, and/or these fun curvy ones. I mean, imagine how these stepping stones and balance beams could crank up a game of “The Floor is Lava”!

What other activities do your kiddos enjoy, that are fun for both indoor and outdoor play to keep kids moving?  

Make sure to “pin” this post for future reference, too, so you can come back and find toys to keep kids moving!