Active Indoor Games for Toddlers Using Soft Play Blocks

On rainy days, toddlers still need to run, climb and burn off energy. At Soft Play Market a lot of parents tell us they bought foam blocks for climbing and then weren't sure what else to do with them. This guide is a list of active games you can set up in minutes with soft play blocks and a ball pit, with the pieces each game needs.

What active indoor games work best for toddlers?

Game	What it builds	Pieces needed	Age
Obstacle course	Climbing, crawling, coordination	3+ blocks, slide, mat	18 months+
Lava floor	Balance, stepping, jumping	Flat blocks or cubes	2+
Tunnel crawl	Crawling, spatial awareness	Tunnel or arch	Crawlers+
Ball pit treasure hunt	Reaching, digging, colour recognition	Ball pit	12 months+
Balance beam walk	Balance, core strength	Long foam block or beam	2+
Ball throw	Throwing, aiming	Balls and a target (box or pit)	18 months+

How do you set up a soft play obstacle course?

1. Start at a step. A foam step or two to climb up.
2. Cross a bridge. An arch or footbridge block to crawl over or under.
3. Slide down. A short foam slide ending on a soft mat.
4. Crawl through. A tunnel, or an arch with a blanket over it.
5. Finish in the ball pit. Or at a basket where they "post" a ball.

Change the order every few days so it feels new. The footbridge and slide set of 5 blocks (about £267) covers steps 1 to 3 on its own.

How do you play "the floor is lava" with soft play?

Spread flat foam blocks or cubes across a mat with small gaps. Children step from block to block without touching the floor. For younger toddlers, keep blocks touching and hold their hand; for older ones, widen the gaps slightly. A pyramid set of 6 blocks (about £142) lays out as six stepping stones.

What tunnel games can toddlers play?

• Peekaboo tunnel: you wait at the far end and say "boo" as they come through.
• Posting game: they carry one ball through the tunnel at a time and drop it in the ball pit.
• Train: children crawl through in a line, one after another, making train noises.

The 3-piece foam I-tunnel (about £266) is long enough for crawling games with two children.

Which ball pit games keep toddlers moving?

• Treasure hunt: hide a soft toy at the bottom and let them dig for it.
• Colour fetch: call out a colour, they find a ball and bring it to you across the room.
• Fill the bucket: race to fill a bucket with balls, then tip it back in.

For more ideas, see our guide to ball pit games for toddlers. Ball pits suit a 90 cm pit with 7 cm balls; always supervise.

How do you play follow-the-leader with soft play?

You go first: climb the step, crawl under the arch, sit in the ball pit, jump off the bottom step onto the mat. Your toddler copies. Then swap so they lead. It's a good way to introduce new movements such as climbing backwards down a step or rolling on the mat.

How do you keep active indoor play safe?

• Keep games on a foam mat or carpet, with clear space around the course.
• One child on the slide at a time, feet first.
• No stacking blocks higher than your child's chest for climbing.
• Keep balls 7 cm for babies, never smaller than 6 cm for under-3s.
• Stop before they're overtired. Most falls happen when children are tired.

For the developmental side of climbing and ball pit play, see gross motor activities in a ball pit.

FAQ

How long should an indoor active game last?

For toddlers, 5 to 15 minutes per game, then switch. Short and varied works better than one long session.

What's the minimum soft play kit for these games?

A 3-block set and a ball pit cover most of the games above. A slide adds a lot of replay value.

Can two toddlers play at once?

Yes, with turn-taking on the slide and a limit on how many are in the ball pit.

Is delivery free?

Yes, free UK delivery and 30-day returns.

More from Soft Play Market

• Soft play sets
• Foam playgrounds
• Ball pit games for toddlers
• Gross motor activities in a ball pit