BusyBeesIndoor activities for 3 year olds to burn energy
Seven BusyBees games are made for this. Five start at age 3: Cushion Island Rescue, Cushion Obstacle Course, Balloon Keepy-Uppy, Freeze Dance Party and Rainbow Scavenger Hunt. Two start at age 2: Animal Parade and Basket Toss. Each takes 10 or 15 minutes.
- 7 games
- Starting ages 2 to 3
- 10 to 15 minutes each
- 3 written out in full
Pick one for right now
| Game | From age | Minutes | You need |
|---|---|---|---|
 Cushion Island Rescue | 3 | 15 | Sofa cushions or pillows, 3 to 5 stuffed animals, A timer |
 Cushion Obstacle Course | 3 | 15 | Cushions, A sturdy table, A timer |
 Balloon Keepy-Uppy | 3 | 10 | One balloon |
 Freeze Dance Party | 3 | 10 | Music |
 Rainbow Scavenger Hunt | 3 | 10 | A timer, Your eyes |
 Animal Parade | 2 | 10 | A clear bit of floor |
 Basket Toss | 2 | 10 | A washing basket, 5 or 6 pairs of thick socks |
The 7 games
Game 1 of 7
Cushion Island Rescue
The floor is lava! Hop across cushion islands to rescue the stuffed animals stranded on the far side.
- From age 3
- 15 min
- Indoors
- Active
- No prep
You need
- Sofa cushions or pillows
- 3 to 5 stuffed animals
- A timer
Keep an eye on
Keep the islands on carpet or a rug, close together, and away from table edges and corners.
With you
Stay in the room while they play.
Game 2 of 7
Cushion Obstacle Course
Crawl under the table, hop over cushions, spin three times and beat the clock.
- From age 3
- 15 min
- Indoors
- Active
- 5 min prep
You need
- Cushions
- A sturdy table
- A timer
Keep an eye on
Use a sturdy table that cannot tip, keep the course on carpet, and move anything with sharp corners.
With you
Stay in the room while they play. Step 1 is a grown-up's job.
The steps for Cushion Obstacle Course, with a picture for each, are in the BusyBees app.
Game 3 of 7
Balloon Keepy-Uppy
Keep the balloon off the floor, with a twist each round. You play too.
- From age 3
- 10 min
- Indoors
- Active
- No prep
You need
- One balloon
Keep an eye on
If the balloon bursts, bin every piece straight away. Play well away from lamps and shelves.
With you
Play together the whole time. Step 1 is a grown-up's job.
The steps for Balloon Keepy-Uppy, with a picture for each, are in the BusyBees app.
Game 4 of 7
Freeze Dance Party
Dance wild, freeze on the pause. Wobble and you are out (until the next song).
- From age 3
- 10 min
- Indoors
- Active
- No prep
You need
- Music
Keep an eye on
Dance on carpet in a cleared space, with no rugs that slip and no toys underfoot, and dance alongside them.
With you
Play together the whole time.
Game 5 of 7
Rainbow Scavenger Hunt
Race to find one object for every colour of the rainbow before the timer runs out.
- From age 3
- 10 min
- Indoors
- Active
- No prep
You need
- A timer
- Your eyes
Keep an eye on
Say which rooms are in the game, and keep the stairs and the kitchen out of it.
With you
Stay in the room while they play.
The steps for Rainbow Scavenger Hunt, with a picture for each, are in the BusyBees app.
Game 6 of 7
Animal Parade
Stomp like an elephant, hop like a rabbit, creep like a cat. You call the animal and everyone moves.
- From age 2
- 10 min
- Indoors
- Active
- No prep
You need
- A clear bit of floor
Keep an eye on
Play on carpet in a cleared space, away from table corners. Every animal keeps its feet on the floor: no climbing.
With you
Play together the whole time.
The steps for Animal Parade, with a picture for each, are in the BusyBees app.
Game 7 of 7
Basket Toss
Roll socks into soft balls and throw them into a washing basket. Move the basket back as the throws get better.
- From age 2
- 10 min
- Indoors
- Active
- No prep
You need
- A washing basket
- 5 or 6 pairs of thick socks
Keep an eye on
Throw only the sock balls, only at the basket, and keep everyone behind the thrower.
With you
Play together the whole time. Step 1 is a grown-up's job.
Questions parents ask
How do I burn toddler energy inside?
With a game that gives legs a clear job: hopping between cushions in Cushion Island Rescue, a timed course in Cushion Obstacle Course, stomping and hopping in Animal Parade. All seven games here are tagged Active and Indoors in the app.
What are some activities for a high-energy 3 year old?
Two of these are played against a timer: Cushion Island Rescue (rescue the toys before the 5 minute timer runs out) and Cushion Obstacle Course (time each run and shave off seconds). In Freeze Dance Party everyone dances big, then freezes like a statue when the music stops. Balloon Keepy-Uppy is played together with one balloon, which a grown-up blows up.
What can I do with a 3 year old indoors?
All five games from age 3 here are indoor games. They use cushions, soft toys, a sturdy table, music, one balloon and a timer.
How do I make a small room safe for it?
Each game has its own note, and the notes repeat the same few things. Play on carpet or a rug. Clear the space of toys underfoot and rugs that slip. Keep away from table edges and corners, lamps and shelves. If a table is part of the course, use a sturdy one that cannot tip. The note for each game is printed in full below.
What this guide does not do
Five of the seven start at age 3 and two at age 2. Balloon Keepy-Uppy, Freeze Dance Party, Animal Parade and Basket Toss are marked "Play together the whole time" in the app. The other three are marked "Stay in the room while they play".
A grown-up is always responsible for safety and supervises play. The age on each game is where it starts in the app, and a game marked for age 3 is never offered for a 2 year old.