Active indoor games for kids
When going outside is not an option, children can still burn energy in the living room. These games are played with the body instead of a controller: the camera reads squats, punches, jumps and balance, and the game reacts in real time.
No hardware to buy
No console, no sensor bar, no controllers. A laptop, tablet or phone with a camera and some space to move is enough.
Video stays on the device
Movement tracking runs locally in the browser. No camera images are uploaded or stored, and playing needs no account.
Screen time that moves
Each round is short and repeatable, so a game break becomes a movement break instead of sitting still.
Good games to start with
Fitty Bird
Squat your way through the pipes
Your body height steers the bird: go low in your exercise and the bird dives, come up and it climbs. Works with squats, lunges, push-ups, sit-ups and more.
Shadow Boxer
Punch, block and slip
Fight an avatar with real punches. Block with both hands high, dodge by leaning or ducking. Match or training mode.
Stepping Stones
Time your jump from stone to stone
Stand left, centre or right to choose a direction, then jump, lift a knee or raise both arms to launch.
Body Fruit Ninja
Slice the fruit, dodge the bombs
Swipe your hands through flying fruit for combos. Pineapples freeze time, bombs end the run.
Tabata Randomizer
20 seconds work, 10 seconds rest, random exercises
A full Tabata workout with a random exercise every round: squats, push-ups, lunges, sit-ups, jumping jacks, burpees, high knees, mountain climbers, squat jumps, overhead reaches, skater steps and toe touches. The camera counts your reps and every clean round pays a bonus. Choose 7, 8 or 16 rounds, or a gentle 15/20 pacing.
Hand Lab
Fine motor training for hands and forearms
Seated hand therapy with full finger tracking: pinch bubbles between thumb and index, carry beads into a cup and release them cleanly, show exact finger counts to train isolated extension, and rotate your forearm to line your hand up with the arrow. Three difficulty levels from gentle rehab to precision work.
Setting up a safe play space
- Clear about two metres in front of the camera and move rugs or low tables aside.
- Place the device so the whole body fits in frame, roughly at hip height.
- Let the child stand still for a second during calibration so their range is measured.
- Play barefoot or in trainers on a non-slip floor, and take a water break between rounds.
Looking at this for a school, gym or care organisation? See the options for organisations.