How to Play Floor Is Lava

Floor is lava is a pretend game where players must stay off the floor by climbing on furniture, cushions, or other "safe" surfaces, because the floor has magically turned into lava. Anyone who touches the floor is "burned" and is out, or has to start again, depending on your rules.

It needs no equipment, works for almost any age, and can be played in any room. Here's how to play, plus ways to change it up.

See the Floor Is Lava Rug

The basic rules

1. Pick a caller. One person shouts "The floor is lava!" to start the game.

2. Get off the floor. Everyone moves to a safe surface as fast as they can: a couch, cushions, a rug, a chair.

3. Don't touch the lava. Anyone who touches the floor is out (or loses a "life").

4. Move without touching the floor. Players cross the room by stepping only on safe surfaces.

5. Win by lasting longest. The last player still safe wins, or everyone who reaches the finish line wins.

6 easy variations

• Timed crossing: Race to get from one side of the room to the other. Beat your best time.

• Lava monster: One player is the "lava monster" who can touch safe players but can't leave the floor.

• Rescue mission: One toy or stuffed animal is stranded. Players carry it across without touching the lava.

• Limited safe zones: Remove one safe item after every round so the route gets harder.

• Silent lava: No talking allowed, which is good for calming things down.

• Balance challenge: Cross using only one foot, or while carrying something.

For more ideas, see 7 Floor Is Lava Games to Play on the Rug.

Playing by age

• Ages 3 to 5: Keep it low and simple. Use cushions and rugs on the floor rather than furniture, and let everyone win.

• Ages 6 to 8: Add timers, rescue missions, and lava monsters.

• Ages 9 and up: Add obstacle routes and rules the kids invent themselves.

Safety tips

• Clear sharp-cornered furniture and breakable objects first.

• For younger kids, keep the safe surfaces low and near the floor. Avoid tall furniture, stairs, and anything that can tip.

• Don't use anything with wheels or anything unstable as a safe spot.

• Use non-slip surfaces. Loose rugs and slippery socks on hard floors cause falls.

• Supervise young players.

Make the floor actually lava

The classic game uses couches and cushions as the safe zones. A floor is lava rug flips that around: the rug is the lava world, with dark rocks as safe ground and glowing lava as the danger. The Rugscapes Floor Is Lava rug is a photorealistic 7' x 5' non-slip play rug for ages 3 to 11, so the game has a permanent playing field and nothing to set up each time.

See the Floor Is Lava Rug →

FAQ

• What is the floor is lava game? A pretend game where players avoid touching the floor, which is imagined to be lava, by moving across furniture or other safe surfaces.

• How many people can play? Any number, though 2 to 6 works best for most rooms.

• Is floor is lava safe for kids? It can be, with sensible setup: clear hazards, keep surfaces low for young kids, use non-slip surfaces, and supervise.

• What age is floor is lava for? Roughly 3 and up, with rules adjusted for age.