It started with a pool noodle, a crash pad, and a high jump in the living room.
The boys were having such a good time that one event turned into an entire set of Home Games. Nothing fancy. No expensive equipment. Just ordinary stuff around the house turned into something worth remembering.
The Home Games
- Noodle Hurdles — set up a few low hurdles and jump, step, or move sideways.
- Shot Put: Laundry Basket Edition — toss a soft ball or stuffed animal toward the basket and try to improve.
- Discus Throw — grab a soft Frisbee or paper plate and see how far it goes.
- Long Jump — mark a starting line and leap onto the crash pad.
- High Jump — the original event. Start the pool noodle low and raise it a little at a time.
- Torch Obstacle Course — combine household obstacles into one ridiculous final event.
Start your own Home Games: Pick two or three events to start. Gather soft balls, cushions, pool noodles, or whatever you already have. Let each child take a turn, celebrate their personal best, and add more events if everyone’s still having fun.
Beat your record. Not each other.
Keep score if your kids enjoy it, skip the score if they don’t, and hand out completely made-up awards. Best Try. Best Sportsmanship. Funniest Attempt. Dad’s Pick. The point isn’t producing an Olympic champion. It’s giving Dad and the kids a reason to move, laugh, and play together.
The Printable Toolkit
The Dad’s! Let’s Go Home Games Toolkit includes the six-event play guide and a scorecard for tracking three attempts, personal bests, and special awards.
Ordinary stuff. Extraordinary adventures.
Keep Going
Want the whole collection in one place? Browse the Dad Games section of the Toolkit, or start with Indoor Active Games for Kids when you need several ideas at once.
Dads, let’s go.
