As autumn approaches, here are some new (and old) ideas for keeping active indoors.

Indoor Clubhouse

As you spend more time indoors with your kids this time of year, it’s easy to get in a rut and turn to videos and other passive activities for entertainment. C’mon, you can do better than that! Use your imagination. Find fun things to energize and excite your kids. Their smiles will make it all worth it.

High-tech scavenger hunt

You want to get the kids off the computer, peeled away from the television and separated from all the other electronic gadgets for a little while? Here’s an idea. Hide the remote, the mouse, the cell phone battery and the video games. Then, send the kids off on a scavenger hunt to find all their can’t-live-without-it gadgetry. Yes, they may grumble at first, but after a little fun physical activity, they’ll forgive you.

Happy Un-Birthday!

Why reserve balloons for birthday parties? On a cold winter day, blow up a bag full and watch your house come alive with activity. The kids will be thrilled to have balloons floating all around, with the feeling of a special occasion. But you know it's an inexpensive and easy way to motivate them to get moving. Make a game of batting the balloons back and forth like you're playing badminton. Or give them a straw and have them move the balloon around by blowing it around on the floor or floating it up high.

Feats of Fitness

Kids love a little friendly competition, and they are proud to display their mastery of different skills. So on a day when they are stuck indoors, make a chart together of a variety of physical feats and let them track their achievements. Try things like seeing how many situps or pushups they can do. Time them running up and down a flight a stairs. See how long they can jump rope without missing. Start the activities with a family stretching session—the kids may surprise you with their flexibility and you may get a kick out of their ideas for new-fangled exercises.

Soup It Up

Read the classic tale Stone Soup by Marcia Brown and then make a big batch of vegetable soup with the kids. Together, wash, peel and prepare potatoes, carrots, celery, onions and so on. Slow cook the brew all day, enjoying the delicious aroma and anticipating the evening feast.

Chore Patrol

Older kids might not get into a lot of crafts or non-video games, but a little financial incentive can coax them into some strenuous work around the house. Offer an allowance bonus if they clean out that over-flowing closet or help you finally organize the basement. Such chores offer a good amount of physical activity for active kids stuck indoors.