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Navigate an obstacle course

Navigate an obstacle course
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Set up and navigate an indoor or backyard obstacle course using pillows, cones, and ropes; practice balance, speed, and problem-solving while staying safe.

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Step-by-step guide to set up and navigate an indoor or backyard obstacle course

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Physical Activity Games for Kids: Obstacle Course

What you need
A small toy or cup for a pick-up challenge, adult supervision required, cones or plastic bottles, pillows, rope or long scarf, tape or chalk

Step 1

Choose a flat indoor space or a safe backyard spot to build your obstacle course.

Step 2

Clear the area by moving furniture toys and anything you could trip on out of the way.

Step 3

Gather all your materials and bring them to the chosen area so everything is within reach.

Step 4

Mark a start line and a finish line with tape or chalk to show where the course begins and ends.

Step 5

Place pillows across the path as stepping stones with small gaps so you can hop from one to the next.

Step 6

Set up cones or plastic bottles in a zigzag pattern to make a slalom you must weave through.

Step 7

Lay the rope or long scarf straight on the ground to act as a balance beam you must walk along.

Step 8

Put the small toy or cup at one station so you must pick it up and carry it without dropping it.

Step 9

Explain the rules and safety tips out loud like walking on the rope not running and waiting your turn.

Step 10

Do one slow practice run through the course to learn each obstacle and how to move safely.

Step 11

Ask someone to time you and run the course once to see how fast and steady you can be.

Step 12

Change the course by moving pillows farther apart or making the slalom tighter to make it easier or harder.

Step 13

Share your finished obstacle course and a photo or video of you completing it on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can I use instead of cones, rope, or chalk if I don't have them?

If you don't have cones use plastic bottles, stuffed toys, or rolled-up socks for the zigzag slalom, if you don't have rope use a long scarf or a strip of tape for the balance beam, and if you can't use chalk indoors mark the start and finish with painter's or masking tape.

My child keeps falling off the scarf balance beam ā€” how can we fix that?

If the rope or scarf balance beam is slippery or causing falls, secure it with tape, make it wider by folding the scarf or laying two strips of tape, and do the slow practice run step so the child can practice walking the beam before timing.

How can I adapt the course for younger toddlers or older kids?

For toddlers move pillows very close together, remove the slalom or use larger objects to weave around, and hold hands during the practice run, while for older kids move pillows farther apart, tighten the slalom, add the pick-up-and-carry cup station, and use the timed run to increase challenge.

How can we make the obstacle course more fun or personal?

To enhance the course add themes or challenges like hopping on one foot between pillows, balancing a book on your head across the rope, change difficulty by moving pillows or tightening the slalom, and share a photo or video of your finished course on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to set up and navigate an indoor or backyard obstacle course

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. šŸ˜Š

KIDDO : Obstacle Courses for Early Childhood Settings

3 Videos

Facts about active play and gross motor development

šŸƒ Obstacle courses are so popular there's a whole sportā€”obstacle course racing (OCR)ā€”with events for kids and adults worldwide.

šŸ¤ø Practicing obstacle courses helps build gross motor skills like balance, coordination, and spatial planningā€”great for growing bodies and brains!

šŸ›ļø Soft items like pillows create safe 'islands' for balance games so kids can hop and practice without hard landings.

šŸ¦ŗ The easiest safety boosts are simple: an adult nearby, a cleared landing area, and rules like 'one person on each obstacle' to prevent collisions.

šŸŖ¢ You can make fun, challenging obstacles from simple itemsā€”ropes, cones, pillows, and tapeā€”then rearrange them to invent new puzzles.

How do I set up and guide a child through an indoor or backyard obstacle course?

Start by choosing a safe, clear area and map a simple route with distinct stations. Use pillows for balance beams, cones for weaving, ropes for limbo or a hop line, and chairs or blankets for tunnels. Demonstrate each station slowly, explain the rules, and show one full run. Encourage problem-solving by adding small tasks (find a sticker, solve a simple puzzle) at stations. Time runs only if the child enjoys it, and always supervise closely.

What materials do I need to make a kid-friendly obstacle course at home?

You can use common household items: pillows or couch cushions, cones or plastic cups, jump ropes or lengths of rope, chairs and blankets for tunnels, tape for marking start/finish, and soft mats for landings. Optional items include small toys as station rewards, a stopwatch, and chalk for outdoor courses. Choose sturdy, nonsharp materials and avoid heavy objects; swap items to match your childā€™s skill and energy level.

What ages is an indoor or backyard obstacle course suitable for?

Obstacle courses can suit toddlers through school-age children with adjustments. For ages 2ā€“4, keep stations low, simple, and closely supervised; use large soft items and short distances. Ages 5ā€“8 can handle more balance, speed, and problem-solving challenges like cones to weave and simple puzzles. Older children (9+) can add timed runs, more complex tasks, and teamwork elements. Always adapt difficulty and supervision to each childā€™s development and confidence.

What safety tips should I follow when children play on an obstacle course?

Prioritize a clear play area, remove sharp or heavy objects, and use soft landings under jumps. Anchor or avoid unstable items and check ropes or chairs for sturdy placement. Set simple rules: one child per station, no pushing, and listen to the adult. Dress kids in closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes. Supervise actively, adjust obstacles to ability, pause if a child is tired, and keep a first-aid kit handy for minor scrapes.
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Navigate an obstacle course. Activities for Kids.