8 Activities for High-Energy Kids (That Don’t Involve Screens)
If your child has the energy of three espresso shots and a sugar rush before 7am, you’re not alone. Raising high-energy kids is equal parts joy and chaos; they’re curious, creative, and constantly on the move. But let’s be honest: keeping up can be exhausting.
Whether your little one is bouncing off the walls, scaling the furniture, or asking, ‘What can I doooooo?’ for the fifth time before breakfast, we’ve pulled together some go-to activities for high-energy kids that help burn off that extra steam, in the best possible way.
Best part? These ideas aren’t just good for your kids—they’re good for you. Less screen time, more outdoor time, better sleep at night? Yes, please.
1. Build a Backyard Obstacle Course
A classic for a reason! Obstacle courses are the ultimate energy-buster and imagination booster. Use whatever you’ve got—pool noodles, cones, stepping stones, cardboard boxes—or take things up a notch with your Funky Monkey Bars setup.
Got a set? Awesome. Add accessories like:
- Trapeze handles to swing across
- A cargo wall to scramble up
- Ninja grips for upper-body challenges
- A boxing bag for some friendly punching power
Time your kids as they race through, or challenge them to beat their personal best. It’s fun, active, and different every time.
2. Play ‘Floor Is Lava’ Outside
You’ve probably played this inside (and maybe regretted it). But outside? Whole new level.
Lay down outdoor-safe ‘islands’ like picnic rugs, timber planks, or foam mats. Then, use your monkey bars and swings as part of the game. The challenge? Get from one side to the other without touching the ground.
Pro tip: Let them design the course. They’ll burn energy just setting it up.
3. Backyard Ninja Warrior Training
This one’s a guaranteed hit. Set up a ‘Ninja Warrior’ challenge using your Funky Monkey Bars gear—or even better, get the ninja add-ons like the traverse rocket rings, the Silverback, or lache bars if you want to go full-send.
Create stations:
- Monkey bars for upper-body strength
- Crawl under jungle ropes
- Balance beam using a timber plank
- Hang time challenge: who can hold on the longest?
It’s a creative, confidence-building activity for high-energy kids that pushes them physically and mentally, while they’re too busy having fun to notice.
4. DIY Sports Day
No need to wait for school to roll around with the egg-and-spoon race. Host your own backyard sports day! Pick 3–5 events and rotate through them. Some crowd favourites:
- Sack races (old pillowcases do the trick)
- Three-legged race (hello, sibling bonding)
- Tug-of-war with an old towel
- Throwing competitions (bean bags into buckets)
Add music, mini trophies (DIY from cardboard!), and post-race icy poles for the full experience.
5. Water Play Adventures
When the sun’s out, water’s in. Water play is amazing for burning energy without your child even realising it.
Set up:
- A sprinkler under the monkey bars for a splashy obstacle run
- Water balloons + target practice
- Sponge relay race
- DIY car wash for bikes and scooters
Funky Monkey Bars are made to handle it. Our frames are hot-dip galvanised and tough-as-nails—so let the splashing begin.
6. Animal Movement Game
This one’s brilliant for indoor or outdoor play, and great for younger kids. Call out an animal and have your kids act it out with movement:
- Bear crawl
- Frog jumps
- Starjumps
- Crab walk
- Slithering snake
Not only is this heaps of fun, but it also builds core strength, coordination, and balance.
To keep it exciting, turn it into a race or ‘Simon Says' style game!
7. Funky Fitness Circuit
Set up a mini fitness challenge in the backyard using everyday items—or, better yet, your monkey bar set. Rotate through stations every 30–60 seconds.
A basic circuit could be something like this:
- Star jumps on the lawn
- Hang and swing from the bars
- 10 push-ups or squats (yes, even little legs can try!)
- Skip with a rope
- Crawl under a swing
- 1-minute trampoline bounce (if you have one)
Set a timer and go! It’s a brilliant way to burn off energy, improve focus, and sneak in a bit of healthy competition.
8. Free Play with a Twist
Sometimes, the best activity is no structured activity at all. Just let them play. Funky Monkey Bars are perfect for free play—kids will naturally climb, hang, swing, balance, and invent games for hours.
Want to encourage longevity in their play?
- Rotate accessories every few weeks
- Challenge them to invent a game or obstacle course
- Invite a friend over—instant energy multiplier!
Free play is one of the most effective activities for high-energy kids. It helps them build independence, solve problems, and regulate their emotions. And when they’ve got a setup that grows with them? It’s the kind of play that lasts years, not minutes.
Why These Activities Work
High-energy kids aren’t trying to drive you up the wall—they’re wired to move, explore, and test their limits. Giving them regular outlets for physical play helps:
- Improve focus and behaviour
- Boost sleep quality (hallelujah!)
- Support physical development
- Encourage creativity and confidence
Plus, it gives you a break to enjoy a cuppa (or finish that third load of washing).
Transform the Chaos into Excitement with Funky Monkey Bars
Creating a play space that truly works for your family doesn’t have to be complicated. With Funky Monkey Bars, you can give your kids the freedom to move, climb, swing and explore—all from the safety of your own backyard. Whether you’ve got a small courtyard or a big open space, there’s a setup to suit your needs, your space, and your kids’ ever-evolving energy.
Explore the range or contact our team today and build a backyard they’ll never grow out of.