How to Create an Indoor Carnival

If you find yourself trapped inside because of rain or wintry weather, don't forget about the indoor fun you can have! Don't let your kids fall victim to sedentary indoor activities, like watching TV or playing video games. Try this delightful indoor carnival to perk up your time inside.

Things You'll Need

• Laundry basket or box
• Balls or beanbags
• Bowling game
• Jump rope
• Ring toss game
• Balloons
• Craft supplies
• Decorations

Instructions

1. Clear the room before setting up your indoor carnival, then create a variety of stations to test different coordination skills.

2. Set out a laundry basket or box and see how many balls or beanbags your child can toss into the target. For additional fun, decorate the box, carnival-style.

3. Use a toy bowling set for part of the carnival fun or set up a homemade bowling game with empty water or soda bottles and a ball.

4. Stretch out a jump rope in a straight line or make it curvy for an even bigger challenge. This is a great balance activity.

5. Create your own carnival ring toss game to test hand-eye coordination.

6. Include a balloon game for the full carnival effect. See how long you and your child can keep it afloat by tapping one in the air.

Tips & Warnings

• If the cold weather prevents you from making it outside all day, this fun indoor carnival activity can be an all day event. Spend time making tickets for each "booth" of your carnival. Decorate with pictures clipped from magazines, glitter glue, markers, and other decorations.

• For even more carnival fun, make fun foods, play music and take silly pictures to make the day memorable.

• Get your child involved in the carnival planning. She'll have great ideas and will feel proud for contributing to the carnival fun.