Beat Winter Blues With the Best Indoor Games

In some school settings, there are limited resources for providing a physical outlet during the winter months, so indoor games may be required to stay in the classroom. But for those that may have a gymnasium or cafeteria available, here are some options:

This is the best indoor game that provides a wealth of benefits to students. Not only are they getting active, but they also tend to build connections with classmates while they play. This translates to better relationships in the classroom.

There’s no limit to the types of relay races you could do during a winter recess. From crab walking down a length of your gym to having students race to throw a hula hoop over a target, you can get creative with these.

Turn almost anything into an obstacle for kids to navigate as they make their way across your cafeteria or gym. Have them swerve in and out of traffic cones, climb over some exercise mats and hop along a series of lines. They could also stop at stations where they complete a set of exercises before they move on. 

When the weather prevents your students from going outside, you don’t have to play the same old indoor games. With a 9 Square in the Air ready, you’ve always got a good start on a great indoor recess. Consider these additional benefits:

• It can be set up indoors or outdoors in a matter of minutes
• It is stored in three easily transportable bags
• It’s easy to play and easy to learn
• Kids of all ages and skill levels can play together and it is adjustable to different heights

This year, your students will cheer when teachers announce it’s too cold to go outside. Order your 9 Square in the Air before the temperatures begin falling.

To keep it flowing, set the course up in lanes so small groups can rotate without a traffic jam. Give each station a simple cue like “balance,” “jump,” or “crawl,” then demo it once and let them run it. If you already have 9 Square in the Air set up, you can make it part of the circuit as a “team station” where students play for 60 seconds, then rotate. The Activity Pack is also built for this kind of station-based PE play, so you can keep kids moving while you swap groups through.

Pull out the games kids already know, and you can skip the long explanation. Think Simon Says, Red Light Green Light, Freeze Dance, or a quick round of charades with movement prompts. You can keep it active by swapping in actions like jumping jacks, high knees, or a short sprint to a wall and back. If you have room to set up 9 Square in the Air, it’s an easy swap when you want a game that runs itself while kids rotate in and out.

Turn your floor into a giant game board using tape squares, poly spots, or paper plates. Assign each space an action or challenge, then let students roll to move. Their Foam Dice is a simple way to make that “big board” feel official, and it keeps the game moving when you’re running a group in a gym or cafeteria. Want to add a high-energy station to the same setup? Drop 9 Square in the Air next to it so students rotate between the board game round and a quick play round.

No snow required! Use white socks rolled into “snowballs,” crumpled paper, or soft foam balls. Set up two buckets at one end of the gym and a start line at the other. Students race down, grab one snowball, and bring it back on a spoon, in a mitt, or balanced between their forearms. If it drops, they reset at the start line. Run it as relays so teams cheer each other on, then swap carry styles to keep it fresh. You can add cones for zigzags to raise the challenge.

Set up a “snowball” target wall using buckets, laundry baskets, or taped shapes on the floor. Give each student five soft snowballs and a starting line. They toss, retrieve, and reset quickly so everyone stays active. For a classroom version, use a trash can and have students shoot from their desk row. Add variety by changing the throw style: underhand, two-handed chest pass, or a gentle volleyball serve. Keep scoring simple and celebrate accuracy, not power. If space allows, make it a challenge where one feeds and one shoots.

Animal walks are simple, silly, and surprisingly tiring. Pick a few options and mark a short course across the room. Bear crawl, crab walk, frog jumps, inchworm, or flamingo balance steps all work well. Call out the animal, then have students move to the far line and back. For a low space option, do it in place for 20 seconds, rest for 10, then switch animals. Let students suggest new animals, but keep the moves safe for hands and knees.

Balloon volleyball gives you the teamwork feel of volleyball, but slower and safer for tight spaces. Stretch a jump rope as a net, or just use a line on the floor. Split into two teams and aim for three hits max before sending the balloon over. Because balloons drift, everyone has to communicate and move, even students who normally hang back. Want to increase the pace? Add a second balloon once they get the rhythm. Finish with a quick switch so new groups play without waiting.

If you have a gym, hallway loop, or cafeteria perimeter, create an indoor track. Use cones or tape to mark the lane and a walking lane if you want mixed speeds. Students can jog, power walk, or do lap challenges like “one lap normal, one lap with high knees.” Keep it interesting with station breaks every few minutes: 10 wall push-ups, 10 squats, then back to laps. If space is smaller, do timed laps around a few cones in a figure eight and rotate directions halfway through.

When winter weather shuts down outdoor play, having the right indoor games ready makes all the difference. From quick movement breaks to full-on recess energy, the goal is to keep kids active, connected, and excited to play. With 9 Square in the Air, you have an option that sets up fast, works indoors, and keeps students moving together. Don’t wait for the next cold snap to scramble for ideas. Shop 9 Square in the Air today and be ready with an indoor game kids actually look forward to playing.