Updated July 30, 2015.

Many kids love to kick soccer balls and shoot hoops outside, but they can't always play in the backyard or park if it's dark, or if their playing area is covered with snow and ice. That's when we need to figure out the best way to bring active outdoor games inside.

The good news is that there are some simple—and fun—ways to turn outdoor play into active indoor games. This is a great way to motivate kids to play more actively inside, and to help them practice their sports skills even when weather or other challenges keep them indoors.

Get Indoor Game Gear

Using your child's favorite sports as inspiration, invest in some simple toys and supplies that they can use to play indoors. Usually, that means equipment that's smaller, lighter, and/or softer than what you use outdoors, such as:

• Balloons, beach balls, fabric balls, Nerf balls, or beanbags to kick, roll, and throw
• Mini basketball hoops, knee hockey goals, boxes, or baskets for targets
• Indoor versions of horseshoes, darts, or bowling
• Knee hockey sticks and knee pads
• Hula hoops and jump ropes (if you have some room to use)
• Ping-pong table, or improvise with paddles, balls, and a portable net (or even a piece of painter's tape stretched across a large table)

Make Your Own Indoor Games for Kids

You can also make your own sporty games for kids with items you have around the house:

• Bowling
• Soccer or hockey
• Volleyball

Practice Outdoor Skills Indoors

Depending on what kind of space you have available indoors, your child may be able to practice some of the skills she needs to play her favorite sports.

These could include:

• Soccer: Dribbling the ball along the floor
• Tennis: Gently bouncing the ball up or down with racquet held horizontally; or playing ping-pong
• Golf: Putting (into a practice cup or even just a plastic drinking cup turned on its side)
• Basketball: Dribbling the ball (in a garage, carport, or basement)
• Hockey: Shooting pucks into an indoor net, or a wall reinforced with cardboard or plywood
• Figure skating: Practicing spins with a Skate Spinner

And for almost any sport, your child can work on conditioning indoors, with basic exercises like these or a program recommended by her coach.

Go with an Exergame

It's true that playing virtual baseball  isn't the same as whacking a beautiful line drive outside. But as long as Wii or Kinect play doesn't take the place of the real deal (shoo the kids outside if it's a nice day!), it can be a good way to add a little activity to indoor play and to keep kids motivated.