20 good indoor sport activities for kids

Dennis Y

February 26, 2026

Finding active, engaging ways to keep children moving when the weather turns grey can be challenging. Parents across Lancashire know the struggle of hearing "I'm bored" on rainy weekends or during school holidays. Indoor play centres offer safe, supervised environments where kids can burn energy and develop physical skills year-round.

Jungle World Park in Leyland provides children with active play opportunities beyond typical soft play. With locations in both Leyland and Blackpool, this jungle-themed venue combines sports, adventure, and active play across zones designed for ages 0-12.

Large Slide Activities

1. Speed Sliding on Lancashire's Tallest Indoor Slide

The 40-metre slide is the centrepiece attraction. Children race down from the top level, experiencing the thrill of speed in a controlled environment. The slide's length allows kids to build momentum whilst padded landings ensure safe arrivals.

2. Toddler Mini Slides

Younger children enjoy dedicated toddler zone slides. The appropriately sized slides let children aged 0-5 practice climbing and sliding at their own pace, building confidence before tackling bigger challenges.

Laser Tag Arena Activities

3. Team-Based Laser Tag Battles

The jungle-themed laser arena offers children aged 5 and above the chance to engage in strategic team play. Teams work together to score points whilst navigating obstacle courses. Games last approximately 10 minutes and cost £3.95 per session.

4. Individual Laser Tag Challenges

Children can play free-for-all matches where everyone competes individually. This format helps develop quick thinking and spatial awareness as players navigate obstacles.

Go-Kart Racing Activities

5. Safari Track Racing

Electric go-karts circle the safari-themed track, giving children their first taste of racing. At £2 per ride, young racers learn basic vehicle control, steering, and awareness of other drivers.

6. Time Trial Challenges

Children can attempt to beat their previous lap times, turning each ride into a personal challenge. This teaches goal-setting and perseverance.

Multi-Level Play Frame Activities

7. Climbing Frame Circuits

The multi-level jungle playground contains interconnected climbing structures where children navigate routes from bottom to top. Various difficulty levels suit both cautious climbers and confident scramblers.

8. Balance Beam Crossing

Within the play frame, narrow platforms and bridges test balance and coordination. Children must plan movements carefully to cross safely, developing body awareness.

9. Tunnel Crawling

Enclosed tunnels at different heights encourage children to crawl, climb, and explore. These confined spaces help develop body position awareness and build confidence.

10. Rope Climbing

Vertical and angled rope sections challenge upper body strength and grip. Children learn to coordinate hand and foot movements whilst building arm and shoulder muscles.

Trampoline Activities

11. Free Jump Trampolining

The trampoline zone lets children practice jumping and bouncing whilst developing aerial awareness. Regular jumping builds leg strength, improves cardiovascular fitness, and helps with balance.

12. Trampoline Games

Children create their own games on trampolines, from seeing who can jump highest to practising specific movements. This encourages creativity alongside physical development.

Ball Pit Activities

13. Ball Pit Diving

Diving into ball pits requires children to judge depth and distance. They learn to control their entry and navigate through an unstable surface, building core strength and spatial reasoning.

14. Ball Throwing Games

Children create throwing challenges, tossing balls at targets or to friends. This develops hand-eye coordination and upper body control in a safe environment.

Sports Court Activities

15. Indoor Football

The netted sports court provides dedicated space for football practice. Children can work on dribbling, passing, and shooting without balls flying into other areas. The controlled space suits beginners and experienced players.

16. Basketball Practice

The court includes basketball facilities where children practice shooting, dribbling, and basic court movement. The enclosed net keeps balls contained whilst children develop coordination and teamwork.

17. Multi-Sport Games

The versatile court allows for various ball games beyond football and basketball. Children might play dodgeball or create their own sports, encouraging creativity and rule-making.

Active Play Circuit Activities

18. Obstacle Course Challenges

Children create obstacle courses using climbing frames, slides, and platforms. They time each other and compete to complete circuits fastest. This self-directed play builds problem-solving skills alongside fitness.

19. Hide and Seek Racing

The multi-level structure suits active hide and seek games. Children must quickly navigate the play frame to find hiding spots or locate friends, combining cardiovascular activity with strategy.

20. Follow the Leader Movement Games

Groups take turns leading routes through play structures. The leader climbs, slides, and jumps whilst others follow, creating natural interval training at varying intensities.

Physical and Developmental Benefits

These activities offer more than entertainment. Regular active play builds cardiovascular fitness through running, climbing, and jumping. Children develop upper body strength on climbing frames and leg strength through jumping activities. Navigating multi-level structures improves coordination and balance, whilst team activities teach cooperation and healthy competition. The varied movements support well-rounded physical development.

Age-Appropriate Activity Selection

Activities are structured across zones matching developmental stages. Ages 0-5 enjoy the dedicated toddler area with mini slides and soft play in an enclosed, safe space. Ages 5-8 split time between familiar toddler equipment and newer challenges like laser tag and go-karts. Ages 8-12 gravitate toward competitive activities: laser tag, go-karts, sports court, and the highest play frame levels.

The design allows siblings of different ages to play simultaneously, which parents supervising multiple children appreciate.

Safety Considerations

Trained staff monitor all play areas, assist children, and ensure appropriate equipment use. The venue maintains a 5-star food hygiene rating with the same standards applied to play area cleanliness. Capacity limits prevent overcrowding, and required adult supervision (£2 adult tickets) ensures appropriate ratios.

Children must wear socks throughout (grip socks recommended for better traction). Comfortable clothing works best, with long sleeves recommended for the slide.

Planning Your Visit

The venue operates timed sessions with advance booking recommended for weekends and holidays. Session types include Jungle Monsters (ages 0-5), Jungle Rebels (older children with full access), Monsters vs Rebels (combined sessions for siblings), and ASD Sessions (Monday evenings with reduced sensory input).

The Tiki Café serves meals and snacks so families can refuel without leaving.

Making the Most of Your Session

To maximise your visit, arrive early to explore before crowds build. Encourage children to try new activities rather than repeating only favourites. Rotating between zones prevents fatigue and boredom. Children benefit from social play like teamwork in laser tag or creating obstacle courses together. The café provides a natural midpoint break during longer sessions.

Final Thoughts

Indoor sport activities provide year-round opportunities for children to stay active, develop skills, and socialise. Jungle World Park creates an environment where movement comes naturally through engaging equipment and varied challenges.

Children are drawn to activity from the moment they enter. Whether sliding, strategising in laser tag, playing sports, or navigating obstacle courses, they build strength, coordination, and confidence whilst having fun.

For parents, venues like this solve the challenge of keeping children active during poor weather or school breaks. The 20 activities ensure even regular visitors find new experiences. As children grow, they naturally progress from beginner equipment to more demanding challenges, whilst variety keeps every visit fresh.

Good indoor sport activities for kids don't require compromise. Jungle World Park demonstrates that indoor facilities can match outdoor play for physical development, with added benefits of controlled environments, safety supervision, and weather protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age range can participate in indoor sport activities at Jungle World Park?

The venue caters for children aged 0-12 years with age-appropriate zones throughout. The toddler area serves ages 0-5 with mini slides and soft play equipment. Older children access the 40-metre slide, laser tag arena (ages 5+), go-karts, sports court, and full play frame. This range means families with children at different developmental stages all find suitable activities within one venue.

Do children need previous sports experience to enjoy the activities?

No previous experience is needed for any activity at Jungle World Park. The play frame, slides, and trampolines require only basic movement skills that children develop through normal play. Laser tag and go-karts include brief instructions before starting. The sports court welcomes beginners alongside children who play football or basketball regularly. Staff provide guidance when needed, making all activities accessible to newcomers.

How long should we book for children to try multiple activities?

Standard sessions typically run 90 minutes to two hours, giving children sufficient time to rotate through several activities. Most families find this allows for play frame exploration, one or two go-kart rides, a laser tag game, and time on the sports court. Younger children in the toddler zone often stay engaged for the full session. Booking the full available session time ensures children aren't rushed.

Can children with different activity levels play together safely?

Yes, the venue's design accommodates varying activity levels and abilities. Cautious children can stick to lower play frame levels whilst confident climbers scale higher structures, yet they remain in the same area. The sports court allows casual play and more competitive matches simultaneously. Staff monitor all zones to ensure faster-moving children don't overwhelm those taking things slowly, and separate age zones provide additional safety.

What should children wear for the sport activities?

Children must wear socks throughout the venue (available to purchase on-site if forgotten). Comfortable play clothing works best, avoiding anything restrictive or with drawstrings that could catch. Long sleeves are recommended for the tall slide to prevent friction. Grip socks provide better traction on climbing equipment. Shoes remain in designated storage areas. Avoid clothing with loose decorations or jewellery that might snag on equipment.

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Jungle World, 2 Tomlinson Road, Leyland, PR25 2DY, England
hello@jungleworldpark.com
01772 368544
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