Trying to beat the winter blues? Need inspiration for planning events during unreliable weather? Explore seven fun indoor event ideas to brighten the dreary days!
1. Gymnasium Carnival
Schools and community groups with large multipurpose rooms or gymnasiums have the perfect indoor event space for a rain-proof carnival! Our new line of inflatable carnival games is perfect for simple set-up and tear-down, so you don’t have to spend months planning your gymnasium carnival layout. You bring the prizes, we’ll bring the tickets! If your gym has high ceilings, finish it off with a large inflatable slide that will keep younger guests busy for hours.
2. Lock-In Star Wars Movie Marathon
Lock-ins are the ultimate slumber party. Church youth groups, soon-to-be high school graduates, and sports teams will all love bonding over wacky games, classic films, sleep deprivation, and way too much popcorn.
You can feature any movie series that will appeal to your lock-in guests, but Star Wars is a popular choice that also lends itself well to decor. Just think space-themed! Decorate with large planets and constellations on the walls to create a space vibe. And to add a fun activity to the lock-in, our new Black Hole game works for any space and gives off total “galaxy far, far away” vibes.
3. DIY “Bowling” Party
Who says you need a bowling alley to have a bowling party? This fun, competitive theme is a great indoor activity for everyone to team up on. To take it to the next level, why not try a fun new twist on the classic game? Football Bowling, or “Fowling,” is a hybrid sport that combines the teamwork of football with the challenge of bowling.
Our new Football Bowling rental allows two teams to go head-to-head, with color-changing LED lights in the base for ambiance in any setting. And here’s another perk: Our Football Bowling rental is battery-powered, so there’s no hassle with outlets and extension cords!
4. Indoor Campout
Camping isn’t only for outdoor enthusiasts. And if you camp indoors, you don’t have to deal with the dirt and bugs! It’s a win-win! Our inflatable dome gives the feeling of a giant tent where everyone can set up their sleeping bags, and since you don’t have a campfire, enjoy “roasting” hot dogs with a hot dog roller instead.
5. “Summer” Birthday Party
If you grew up with a summer birthday, you understand the sorrow of missing out on school-day celebrations with your classmates. That’s what makes this idea perfect during the gloomier parts of the new year, because it gives students an excuse to celebrate!
For this event, host a birthday party for the students born in June, July, and August, complete with cupcakes and streamers. This can happen during lunch hour, after school, or as a special break from the normal school day to get out of the doldrums of late winter. Want to really blow their minds? Rent the Birthday Ultimate Combo as a centerpiece! This birthday-themed bounce house will be a big hit for kids of all ages, and will help those with summer birthdays feel special while they bounce around with friends.
6. Builders and Makers Bash
This kind of event is great for encouraging STEM-minded kids to explore their creativity. Set up different stations throughout the space with various building and making activities. Some can be make-and-break like a Lego station, while others can give them something to take home at the end of the event, like a woodworking project.
To work out the wiggles in between projects, have an on-theme Lego Crawlthrough to set the stage! The inflatable play structure takes participants up a climb and down a slide and past pop-ups to facilitate maneuvering skills.
7. Gaming Tournament
Video games can be a fun way for kids to explore teamwork and problem-solving. Hosting a gaming tournament is a great way to foster in-person connection and friendship among students who love video games! If you want to host a gaming tournament for middle school or high school students, reliable internet and many power outlets are a must. Make it a bring-your-own-computer event and provide spaces for players to set up, or get some classic gaming consoles and set up a few TVs throughout the space.
It’s important to take breaks from screen time throughout the event, so have snacks and activities available to get the blood pumping! We recommend our Pixel Ultimate Combo for Minecraft events. Inspired by the golden age of video games and pixel games, this dynamic bounce house features a thrilling slide! And our Whack-a-Shroom is ideal for anything Nintendo-centric, bringing you into a Mario adventure to see how many lights you and your opponent can hit in the allotted time. Both are bound to be a big hit among video game fans!
Start 2026 Strong with Fun Services Midwest
2026 is on the move, and so are we! Fun Services is here to bring the Midwest new premium house and party rentals in Kansas City and St. Louis. It’s all the fun you know and love with even more options to theme your events and make memories.
Explore our catalog for even more inspiration, and when you’re ready, contact us to request a quote and book your event!