11 Energy-Boosting Bedroom Features to Keep Kids Fit
Keep your kids occupied with these inspired decorating features for energetic indoor play
Susan Redman
26 June 2016
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff; writer, author, dreamer.
Some kids go crazy indoors, but when the weather is bad, there’s often no option but to keep children inside. Amusing them can be a challenge, especially if they like to be active, so some parents have cleverly resorted to incorporating dynamic decor ideas in kids’ rooms. Climbing walls and basketball hoops may not be possible to rig up in most homes, but if you have the space and determination, these extra physical features might just be the idea you’re looking for to make your kids’ bedrooms and play areas more fun than a run around the park on a clear day.
1. Ropes to hang off
You’ll need an expert to rig up an indoor activity rope, but once it’s safely secured you can bet your kids will have oodles of fun swinging around on it. Three active young children use this space in a Westhampton holiday home, in the US, to play.
As it’s so bright and cheerful, it’s hard to imagine them ever wanting to leave it, whether the weather is foul or fair, but fortunately the beach is nearby to lure them outside when the weather is fine.
See more of this project
You’ll need an expert to rig up an indoor activity rope, but once it’s safely secured you can bet your kids will have oodles of fun swinging around on it. Three active young children use this space in a Westhampton holiday home, in the US, to play.
As it’s so bright and cheerful, it’s hard to imagine them ever wanting to leave it, whether the weather is foul or fair, but fortunately the beach is nearby to lure them outside when the weather is fine.
See more of this project
2. Climbing walls to conquer
Mini mountaineers will go crazy for this idea. Take advantage of a high ceiling to create a fun and interactive backdrop in a playroom by installing a colourful climbing wall. Thick gym mats at the base are mandatory to cushion any tumble-downs.
Mini mountaineers will go crazy for this idea. Take advantage of a high ceiling to create a fun and interactive backdrop in a playroom by installing a colourful climbing wall. Thick gym mats at the base are mandatory to cushion any tumble-downs.
3. Swings from the rafters
Many parents hope to create a magical setting in their daughters’ bedroom, so when it comes with a swing fit for a fairytale princess, you can be sure young ladies will be over the moon. If you do decide to rig up a swing, take note of the rooms’ dimensions –obviously a super-spacious room is mandatory for a swing that hangs from a cathedral ceiling as high as the one pictured here.
How to hang an indoor swing
Many parents hope to create a magical setting in their daughters’ bedroom, so when it comes with a swing fit for a fairytale princess, you can be sure young ladies will be over the moon. If you do decide to rig up a swing, take note of the rooms’ dimensions –obviously a super-spacious room is mandatory for a swing that hangs from a cathedral ceiling as high as the one pictured here.
How to hang an indoor swing
4. Poles to make quick getaways
The Batboys and Spidergirls in your life will be planning a quick escape route once they spy this novel arrangement. What seems like lofty hideyholes are actually access to a kids’ bedroom. It’s connected to a playroom (pictured) by sliding panels and fire poles. Kids can climb up to go to sleep and then enjoy all the fun of whooshing down the pole each morning when called for breakfast.
The Batboys and Spidergirls in your life will be planning a quick escape route once they spy this novel arrangement. What seems like lofty hideyholes are actually access to a kids’ bedroom. It’s connected to a playroom (pictured) by sliding panels and fire poles. Kids can climb up to go to sleep and then enjoy all the fun of whooshing down the pole each morning when called for breakfast.
5. Ladders to scale
A room with multi-level options lends itself to creative play for boisterous boys and girls. This may be why bunk and loft beds accessed by ladders do well in kids’ rooms, especially those shared with siblings. When the beds are aloft, there’s not only plenty of room underneath them to set up a shop or cubby, but the beds themselves become strategic ledges from which to dangle puppets or hurl pillows and soft-toy missiles across the room (possibly aimed at said siblings!).
Browse a gallery of kids’ rooms
A room with multi-level options lends itself to creative play for boisterous boys and girls. This may be why bunk and loft beds accessed by ladders do well in kids’ rooms, especially those shared with siblings. When the beds are aloft, there’s not only plenty of room underneath them to set up a shop or cubby, but the beds themselves become strategic ledges from which to dangle puppets or hurl pillows and soft-toy missiles across the room (possibly aimed at said siblings!).
Browse a gallery of kids’ rooms
6. Camps to crawl into
When kids are confined to home and can’t camp out, a tented bolthole at home can provide plenty of opportunity for imaginations to wander. This outdoorsy bed here is strung with camper lights for close inspection of adventurous reading material. It features a tent and adjacent slide, turning the space from an ordinary bedroom into a playful castaway’s hollow. With plenty of nooks to hide and play, there’s no doubt your children will have a hard time leaving this one-of-a-kind space.
When kids are confined to home and can’t camp out, a tented bolthole at home can provide plenty of opportunity for imaginations to wander. This outdoorsy bed here is strung with camper lights for close inspection of adventurous reading material. It features a tent and adjacent slide, turning the space from an ordinary bedroom into a playful castaway’s hollow. With plenty of nooks to hide and play, there’s no doubt your children will have a hard time leaving this one-of-a-kind space.
7. Gyms for working out in
Creating the right blend between activity spaces and areas for quiet play and reading can be a challenge when designing a child’s playroom. This space has had the walls lined with plenty of storage units for books and toys, and features a mat at one end to play on. The rest of the space is delightfully free of furniture, so that children can happily use the climbing ropes and rings to somersault and generally climb around on.
Creating the right blend between activity spaces and areas for quiet play and reading can be a challenge when designing a child’s playroom. This space has had the walls lined with plenty of storage units for books and toys, and features a mat at one end to play on. The rest of the space is delightfully free of furniture, so that children can happily use the climbing ropes and rings to somersault and generally climb around on.
8. Playgrounds to romp in
Curious children love the idea of worlds within worlds, so totally transforming a child’s room or play space into another realm will delight and hopefully keep your children absorbed in active play. In the room pictured here, colourful murals and synthetic grass carpet create a garden-themed space that features a playground complete with slippery dips to slide down and see-saws to rock on.
More imaginative playroom ideas
Curious children love the idea of worlds within worlds, so totally transforming a child’s room or play space into another realm will delight and hopefully keep your children absorbed in active play. In the room pictured here, colourful murals and synthetic grass carpet create a garden-themed space that features a playground complete with slippery dips to slide down and see-saws to rock on.
More imaginative playroom ideas
9. Zones to move through
If your child has both an energetic mind and body, create active and passive zones in their bedroom. Use multi-coloured rugs, carpet tiles or a raised floor dais to demarcate where the active gym sits – with such attractions as a climbing net and bars to get kids moving – and separating it from the quieter zone that takes up the rest of the room.
If your child has both an energetic mind and body, create active and passive zones in their bedroom. Use multi-coloured rugs, carpet tiles or a raised floor dais to demarcate where the active gym sits – with such attractions as a climbing net and bars to get kids moving – and separating it from the quieter zone that takes up the rest of the room.
10. Hoops to shoot
If you can stand the noise, erecting a basketball hoop in your kid’s bedroom will bring them plenty of satisfaction over many years – and the practice of shooting hoops may well contribute to improved hand-eye coordination. To reduce the thudding sound of slam dunks late at night or early in the morning (for this will certainly be the time when your darlings will want to shoot hoops), softer foam balls can be used with smaller, lighter hoops made specifically for indoor use.
If you can stand the noise, erecting a basketball hoop in your kid’s bedroom will bring them plenty of satisfaction over many years – and the practice of shooting hoops may well contribute to improved hand-eye coordination. To reduce the thudding sound of slam dunks late at night or early in the morning (for this will certainly be the time when your darlings will want to shoot hoops), softer foam balls can be used with smaller, lighter hoops made specifically for indoor use.
11. Hammocks to hang-out in
Kids who need to wind down but still like to keep on the move will appreciate a hammock in which they can gently rock back and forth while relaxing. This hushed hang-out zone will no doubt be a hit with older kids and teens, who might also like the unconventional nature of a hammock as a place to sleep.
TELL US
Have you added any active features to your kids’ rooms? Share your ideas and pictures in the Comments section.
MORE
Browse a gallery of kids’ play rooms
Kids who need to wind down but still like to keep on the move will appreciate a hammock in which they can gently rock back and forth while relaxing. This hushed hang-out zone will no doubt be a hit with older kids and teens, who might also like the unconventional nature of a hammock as a place to sleep.
TELL US
Have you added any active features to your kids’ rooms? Share your ideas and pictures in the Comments section.
MORE
Browse a gallery of kids’ play rooms
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Nice ideas!