15 toys to help your toddler burn off energy indoors, recommended by a developmental psychologist and kids' fitness experts

Mini cones seem very simple, but they have so many uses for a family with a toddler, according to Ettinger. "Whether it's setting up obstacle courses, teaching balance, walking with a cone on your head, stacking, sorting, or any number of games, there's no substitute for good old fashioned cones," said Ettinger. "The mini cones are especially helpful since they're hard to break, easy to store, and just a little cuter than normal-sized cones."

Playing ball in the house is usually discouraged, but parents of toddlers can make an exception for this 7-inch, soft, foam and vinyl ball. Klika recommends this ball, which can't do much damage in the home. Toddlers can use balls to pick up important motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

"Little ones need to jump, spin and inevitably fall down," said Ettinger. "There's no better place to do it than on a padded mat that's colorful, easy to clean, and folds up so it can be stored in a closet or under a bed." This foldable gymnastics mat is 4 feet by 8 feet when unfolded and has a generous 2 inches of padding.

Parents can create a simple indoor obstacle course with these round poly markers, which come in bright colors. "Agility marker dots can be used to create different patterns for kids to move from one to the other," said Klika. Champion Sports Markers take up very little space and are easy to store.

Ball pits are a great option for indoor play. "I like that this one has a little hoop because it provides more opportunity for a structured game or for kids to think of and play by rules, which is great for maintaining their collaboration and coordination skills," said Aladro. She recommends this pit with taller sides to keep the balls contained and a shape that is conducive to fitting multiple siblings.

Ettinger recommends the Little Tikes Mini Trampoline because it allows kids to safely burn off energy. "The built-in handrail allows younger children to test out their sense of balance while staying upright," Ettinger said. Parents will love the small dimensions and simple assembly.

While the Wobbel is recommended for kids 3 years and older, Aladro says this is a good option for parents with a toddler and older child. "I probably wouldn't get one for a singleton under 3 years, but it's something a toddler can experiment with too. Plus, it will wobble if they sit right on it," she said. For younger children who aren't quite ready to balance on the Wobbel, it can also be turned upside down into a bridge for cars or other toys.

The Balance Stepping Stones set comes with 10 durable foam "stones" that you can arrange in any way your toddler desires, indoors or out. "This product is designed for gross motor development. You can set up the stones anywhere in your home or work with your child to create a fun obstacle course," said Bracco. "Children are drawn to the vibrant colors."

Becker's Yoga Now! Card Set is a cute deck of visual aids for little yogis. Each card displays an illustration of a child doing a yoga pose, the pose name, its benefits and modifications. "There are so many wonderful sets of yoga cards on the market, but we love this deck," said Bracco. "These cards are a great size so that the pose is visible from a distance."

Meddy Teddy is a bendable teddy bear that can demonstrate actual yoga poses. Just over a foot tall, Meddy is a great companion and teacher for yogi toddlers, according to Bracco, who uses a Meddy Teddy in her classes. "Our Meddy Teddy never misses a chance to come to yoga class," said Bracco. "This bear is adored by children and adults alike." Meddy Teddy also offers a delightful board book for beginner yogis.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, yoga helps kids relax while moving their bodies and improving concentration. "Yoga is good for toddlers because the postures can help growing bodies build strength, flexibility, and balance," said Bracco. "Particular poses encourage crossing of the midline, which is an important part of child development as this motion activates both sides of our brain." The Gaiam Kids Ears mats are great for beginner yogis, and they come with an adorable elephant design that kids will love. They are also free of latex and toxic chemicals, and there's plenty of grip to keep kids from slipping.

Crawling helps toddlers develop motor skills, and fun tunnels can lead the way. "These activity tunnels are a perfect way to encourage crawling and make it extra fun and engaging," said Bracco, who recommended the Organic Cotton Play Tunnel from Lovevery. The almost 4-foot tunnel is durable and flexible for more active play options, as well as easy packing. Alternatively, the less expensive, easily flattened 5-foot butterfly tunnel from Melissa & Doug ($25) is also great for toddler exploration and play.

Activity cones are fun, colorful, and limitless in terms of toddler activities. From stacking them to knocking them over to creating courses, there are many ways for toddlers to stay active with these around. "They can move to, around, and over cones," said Klika. "They can use them to kick and even balance on body parts ... Multi-colored cones provide endless opportunities for young kids to be active."

For a fun game that toddlers can play solo or with others, Aladro recommends a kid-friendly bowling set. Not only are they entertaining for little ones, but they also foster rule-following and help toddlers develop motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and math skills if keeping score.

"Indoor ride-ons usually fall into two camps: moves and noisy, or stationary and noisy," said Aladro. "Rody is great because the child is more or less in charge of how hard they bounce, it makes no noise, and it can travel around a little as the child gets more adept and can scooch as they bounce." When your little one first starts playing with Rody, Aladro recommends placing pillows on either side if you can't be right next to them as it takes a little getting used to.