Crisp chilly breezes rustle rich golden leaves.  Coats grow bigger.  Daylight hours shrink.  Video games and TV time threaten to become kids' favorite pastime, but smart parents are plotting active indoor fun. 
 
As the temperature chills and families retreat indoors, it is easy to let kids become sedentary.  A few fun toys, however, can help keep kids off the couch and active.
 
For sports fans, transfer outdoor fun indoors with scaled-down versions of the big game.  Whether kids love the Super Bowl, World Series, or Stanley Cup, there are mini-sized versions of sports that keep little (and big) hands and minds busy. 
 
Mainstream sports are not the only ones whose outdoor hits have indoor cousins.  Surfers, snowboarders, and skaters can hone their skills indoors on balance boards.  If the balancing seems too easy, the challenge can always be increased by going for some one-footed action. 
 
For the younger crowd, games like Elefun and the classic Pin the Tail on the Donkey encourage kids to have fun while improving coordination skills.  
 
Embrace retro-play with timeless games adapted to special occasions.  Pin the Tail on the Donkey, for example, can become Pin the Tail Feather on the Turkey for an after Thanksgiving dinner treat.
 
Board games are another pleasant way to engage all ages in some healthy holiday fun.  From Candy Land to Stratego, there is something for players at every level.  Whether learning colors, shapes, and numbers, or theorizing the best strategy for capturing the opponent's flag, board games actively engage players' minds. 
 
Many classic games even have special versions for younger children.  Scrabble Junior, for example, is a big hit at our house.  Uno comes in versions such as Sesame Street My First Uno Card Game and a special edition It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Uno.  And there are many more.  Candy Land Castle, Boggle Junior, Monopoly Town, Clue Junior, Monopoly Junior, and Twister Hopscotch are all adapted for easier play for younger kids.
 
Whatever indoor entertainment you choose, be sure it is safe and age appropriate for all involved.  Be sure children who might choke on game pieces are not allowed to put them in their mouths.  Also, be aware that older siblings and visiting adults may absentmindedly leave game pieces within reach of younger children.  While toy packaging is required to warn of small parts that could be a danger to children under three, choking continues to be one of the most significant hazards for children up to at least age five.  In fact, choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional death in children under five. (http://www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/injury_prevention/
choking_prevention_for_children.htm)
 
Another way to help keep kids safe is to write the number of small game pieces on the bottom of the box.  Then pieces can be counted as they are placed back inside.  This is especially helpful with games that contain marbles or balls, some of the most common choking hazards, and in my experience, some of the easiest to lose.