To make an obstacle course more challenging, be sure to add variety to your obstacle course, and allow older kids to get back to crawling as well as running and jumping. Walking activities can often be turned into running activities, but sometimes slowing down increases the challenge. For instance, balance beams are much harder to cross when we slow down, challenging our balance, strength, and coordination and it also increases our overall body awareness. If they are ready to jump, challenge them by jumping in all directions or on and off safe surfaces. Jumping up/down from a step, jumping over a hurdle, pillow, or blocks, and jumping in and out of a box or a shape made from toys, blankets, or string are also great ways to incorporate jumping into obstacle courses. Use chalk to make shapes, hop scotch, lines to follow or even have your child squat while they draw, and climb the steps, ladders, rocks, etc. on the playground to add more challenge. Additionally, jumping on a trampoline can be a fun and challenging activity, but it is recommended for kids age 6 and up.