https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:31:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-for-ball-pit-other-play-ideas#post-2927781 Tue, 13 Dec 2022 19:41:57 +0000 Lahela017 2927781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SteelerGirl: yeah, I decided against the ball pit. I don't think I could handle the balls everywhere and I questioned whether or not she'd actually like it at all after the newness wore off.</p> <p>I've heard amazing things about the nugget, but I'm still struggling with where I'd want to have it set up. I'm worried she'd grow bored of it, like she did with our foam climbing blocks things, and then I'd be out a lot of money. I'll have to really think about it I guess. Too bad we don't have a friend with one to test it out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-for-ball-pit-other-play-ideas#post-2927778 Tue, 13 Dec 2022 16:19:21 +0000 SteelerGirl 2927778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with the nugget couch, if it's in the budget. Or the ultimate fort builder. </p> <p>We had a ball pit and I couldn't wait to get rid of it. I was so tired of picking up balls. The day we finally put it in the trash I did a little dance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-for-ball-pit-other-play-ideas#post-2927747 Fri, 09 Dec 2022 22:54:20 +0000 LemonJack 2927747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is kind of a big thing, but if you have space to set up a kids bounce house in your basement, it would be a great way to get out some energy. We have friends who do that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-for-ball-pit-other-play-ideas#post-2927722 Mon, 05 Dec 2022 16:35:32 +0000 MountainBaby 2927722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a ball pit. It's great for about 2 weeks at a time and then the novelty wears off and balls end up all over. We keep it out for a few weeks in a time and then put the balls in the attic for a few months, rinse and repeat. Ours is inside a pop and play and we fill it with balls, so not an official pit, but deeper than a kiddie pool. </p> <p>Other ideas could be twister game or a balance board (wobble board). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-for-ball-pit-other-play-ideas#post-2927712 Sun, 04 Dec 2022 23:23:14 +0000 Lahela017 2927712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: thanks for the ideas! Stepping stones and obstacle course type set up seems like a good idea. She's into balance beams at playgrounds, so I bet she'd love that.</p> <p>I know I've heard amazing things about the nugget, but I don't know where we'd put one...</p> <p>Thanks for all the ideas ladies!! This has been really helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-for-ball-pit-other-play-ideas#post-2927711 Sun, 04 Dec 2022 22:18:23 +0000 PinkElephant 2927711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a swing similar to what @Chuckles: posted. It's attached to our basement ceiling beams using an anchor hook intended for a TRX that holds something like 500 lbs. Every kid who comes over loves it (and my daughters are now 10, 8, and 6). </p> <p>We also have the pogo thing and they all liked that; my oldest uses a regular pogo stick both indoors and out to get gross motor input, which she really needs.</p> <p>If you're into setting up obstacles, these two items (stepping stones and hoops) are fun; if you want something that serves a purpose for adults as well, there are fun balance activities you can do with a Bosu ball.</p> <p>Stepping Stones: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Balance-Stepping-Stones/dp/B07H7RGM89" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Balance-Stepping-Stones/dp/B07H7RGM89</a></p> <p>Hoops - for the life of me I can't find our set; I thought it was Melissa and Doug - we have six rings in two sizes, similar makeup to these: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Worldwide-YS-AR-20-Spectrum-Hoops-Agility/dp/B00P48UG2A/ref=asc_df_B00P48UG2A/?tag=hyprod-20&#038;linkCode=df0&#038;hvadid=222720245886&#038;hvpos=&#038;hvnetw=g&#038;hvrand=17088473793497982514&#038;hvpone=&#038;hvptwo=&#038;hvqmt=&#038;hvdev=c&#038;hvdvcmdl=&#038;hvlocint=&#038;hvlocphy=9003744&#038;hvtargid=pla-364921986635&#038;psc=1" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Worldwide-YS-AR-20-Spectrum-Hoops-Agility/dp/B00P48UG2A/ref=asc_df_B00P48UG2A/?tag=hyprod-20&#038;linkCode=df0&#038;hvadid=222720245886&#038;hvpos=&#038;hvnetw=g&#038;hvrand=17088473793497982514&#038;hvpone=&#038;hvptwo=&#038;hvqmt=&#038;hvdev=c&#038;hvdvcmdl=&#038;hvlocint=&#038;hvlocphy=9003744&#038;hvtargid=pla-364921986635&#038;psc=1</a></p> <p>Nugget couches are also a huge hit - they use these combined with gymnastics mats for fort and obstacle building. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-for-ball-pit-other-play-ideas#post-2927709 Sun, 04 Dec 2022 10:20:43 +0000 Lahela017 2927709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: oh, that looks so fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-for-ball-pit-other-play-ideas#post-2927707 Sun, 04 Dec 2022 09:01:16 +0000 Chuckles 2927707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @karenbme: about the trampoline and bar. We also got a rope swing thing and attached it to the ceiling of our basement during the height of the pandemic. Our 3 and 9 year olds still use it most days. Very similar to this one LAEGENDARY Tree Swing for Kids - Single Disk Outdoor Climbing Rope w/ Platforms, Carabiner &amp; 4 Ft Tree Strap - Playground Accessories - Multicolored <a href="https://a.co/d/bOSZ7wc" rel="nofollow">https://a.co/d/bOSZ7wc</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-for-ball-pit-other-play-ideas#post-2927704 Sun, 04 Dec 2022 08:43:04 +0000 Lahela017 2927704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: I love the pogo stick thing. That's a great idea, and very affordable! We do have a little slide, but she's pretty much outgrown it. I hate to replace it with a bigger one at this point because little brother will be able to use it in awhile. Thanks for the ideas! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-for-ball-pit-other-play-ideas#post-2927703 Sun, 04 Dec 2022 07:55:58 +0000 catgirl 2927703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, and this! Flybar My First Foam Pogo Jumper for Kids Fun and Safe Pogo Stick, Durable Foam and Bungee Jumper for Ages 3 and up Toddler Toys, Supports up to 250lbs (Blue) <a href="https://a.co/d/dTfy8F6" rel="nofollow">https://a.co/d/dTfy8F6</a></p> <p>It does make an insanely annoying squeaky noise, but worth it! DH and I occasionally jump around on it too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-for-ball-pit-other-play-ideas#post-2927702 Sun, 04 Dec 2022 07:53:57 +0000 catgirl 2927702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was going to suggest the little tiles trampoline, too! That got so much use from my DD! And we had an indoor slide that got a ton of use! We got a larger size one so it could last longer. This is the one we had: Little Tikes Easy Store Large Slide , Blue/Green <a href="https://a.co/d/6UQYhrL" rel="nofollow">https://a.co/d/6UQYhrL</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-for-ball-pit-other-play-ideas#post-2927701 Sun, 04 Dec 2022 07:02:51 +0000 karenbme 2927701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lahela017: Ick… it’s way too early for temps that cold. I’m in VT near the Canadian border and we’ve had a few days of single digit windchills so far but nothing below zero yet (thankfully). This is the trampoline we have: <a href="https://www.target.com/p/little-tikes-easy-store-3-39-trampoline/-/A-53664704#lnk=sametab" rel="nofollow">https://www.target.com/p/little-tikes-easy-store-3-39-trampoline/-/A-53664704#lnk=sametab</a> we got this one because friends recommended it and their 7 year old still uses hers. Plus it looks like Target has it in n sale right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-for-ball-pit-other-play-ideas#post-2927699 Sun, 04 Dec 2022 00:01:42 +0000 Lahela017 2927699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: a trampoline! I totally forgot about those. I'll have to see if I can get a good deal on one, I bet she'd love one.</p> <p>We were really good at going outside last year, but baby brother has some skin issues and the cold weather is just too much for him sometimes. We're in Minnesota, so it's already cold. Today we had a wind chill of -5 degrees. Ugh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-for-ball-pit-other-play-ideas#post-2927698 Sat, 03 Dec 2022 23:53:28 +0000 karenbme 2927698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lahela017: I would guess that a kiddie pool plus balls is just as good as an official ball pit. In terms of other gross motor play, my 3 year old has so much fun with a little tikes trampoline. She also has a wedge mat that folds into an ~30in cube that has been endless entertainment for rolling/jumping/etc. and we have a foldable kid sized gymnastics bar that’s her big Christmas present because she really wants to be able to swing on the handle on the trampoline and it’s not made for that at all. We also thought about getting one of those pod swings since they are appropriate for active play and quieter time, but ultimately think she’ll have more fun with the bar. But we also go outside in just about any weather (heavily bundled of course). Last year DH made a slide in one of the snow banks on the side of the driveway and she LOVED it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-for-ball-pit-other-play-ideas#post-2927696 Sat, 03 Dec 2022 23:36:53 +0000 Lahela017 2927696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It looks like we are in for a cold winter, stuck inside a lot. I'm freaked out about all the illnesses running rampant right now since we have a pretty young baby, so I'm trying to find some more inside activities for my 3.5 year old to get her energy out. With all the toy sales right now I've been seeing all the deals. Is 3.5 too old for a ball pit? Do you need an actual ball pit, or if I just get balls and put them in our kiddy pool is that fun? Am I just setting myself up for balls all over the house or just another thing sitting around not getting played with?</p> <p>Any other ideas for some gross motor play? We already have a tent/tunnel, some big foam blocks for climbing on, a sit and spin, and some ride on toys. None of these get much play anymore though after the excitement of taking them out of storage wears off. </p>