What makes a good obstacle course?

When designing your own obstacle course—whether indoors or out—consider the various elements that make it both fun and challenging. Try to give your child: something to jump to, over, and into. something to crawl through or under, such as a play tunnel, a table, or a chair. something to walk on carefully, a board laid flat on the ground. something to climb over, like pillows, bean bag chairs, or large stuffed animals. something to wind their way around, like cones on the ground that they have to weave through. something to run to—you can have the obstacle course finish with a short sprint into your arms. You can extend the course by having them do it backwards, sideways, or even blindfolded. Before drawing the course, think about physical activities your child can already do. Then, plan the chalkstacle course accordingly, adding a few new challenges for them to try. A great way to start is to have them walk a simple line on the ground. You can make the line with chalk, tape, the edge of a carpet or floorboard, or a line on the sidewalk. This is a fun way to practice balance before they get to the trickier parts of an obstacle course. If this is your child’s first time, consider starting small—just a few elements from start to finish—so they can feel successful before you add more.

Use wool or baking twine to add a laser-style course to climb through Hang balloons under the table to make a balloon obstacle tunnel Hang balloons for child to jump up to hit Use washi tape or painting tape to make a straight line to balance along, a zig zag, a line to bunny hop over from side to side, or to make arrows Cardboard boxes with holes to climb through Cardboard boxes with holes to throw bean bags Make an action dice from a cube shaped box, throw the dice and then follow the action Use ropes to make obstacles or to skip on the spot Hoops to jump into, smaller hoops too, or use as hula hoops Blankets between two chairs to make a tunnel Cushions can become stepping stones or landing spots to jump from a step Make a balance beam from rolling up a carpet/rug Ikea tunnels Soft balls or bean bags to make a throwing game Stepping stones Chalk to make a squiggly line to follow or hopscotch Forward roll along a mat Sofa cushions can be made into tunnels, stepping stones etc Play “the floor is lava/water” and balance on the various obstacles without touching the ground Use a ride on car or scooter to move between stations Make a cardboard car Climbing under dining chairs Climbing over dining chairs Roll on fitness ball (with assistance) Wobbleboard/Pikler triangle can be used as elements in your obstacle course Throw balls into a box Do star jumps Make a rug/carpet “water” and they have to swim through it or walk around it Jump on balance bike to collect something and bring it to a box Make tin can stilts for kids with two cans and some string Flop into beanbag Make obstacles into a “forest” or “climb the mountain” Hang up a laundry basket on the door handle to make a basketball hoop and they can throw ball in Cones make good obstacles Make a hopscotch with paper for each square Use a twister mat Place one boot on your foot and hop along a line without touching the other foot down Use delivery crates to climb into Make footprints from paper A box wtih strings that you need to climb through Make sensory stepping stones with dried beans or pasta Hang scarves to touch or walk through Push a ball Set up the course in the corridor Walk around the poles Make stepping stones or path from foam mat Use a board with wheels to sit or lie on Hang bunting as an obstacle to climb over Make pebbles from paper stuck down (or maybe books if you don’t mind them walking on books) Egg and spoon race – use a paper plate with chopsticks (spoon) and balance a balloon (egg) or use them to play table tennis Have an alternate path they can choose to take Have a toy caterpillar to “rescue” Make a narrow bridge to cross Use shoes or hats as obstacles to walk around