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Make an Obstacle Course

Make an Obstacle Course
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Design and build a backyard obstacle course using cones, ropes, pillows, and chairs; time runs, adjust challenges, and practice agility and problem-solving.

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Step-by-step guide to make a backyard obstacle course

What you need
Adult supervision required, beanbag or small ball, blanket, chairs, chalk or masking tape, cones, pillows, rope, stopwatch or timer

Step 1

Choose a flat backyard area and pick a spot to build your course.

Step 2

Mark a clear Start line and Finish line with chalk or masking tape.

Step 3

Arrange cones in a zigzag so you can weave through them.

Step 4

Tie the rope between two chairs about 10 cm off the ground to make a low balance line.

Step 5

Scatter pillows in a line to act as stepping stones.

Step 6

Drape a blanket over two chairs to create a low tunnel to crawl through.

Step 7

Place a beanbag or small ball and a target circle to make a toss challenge.

Step 8

Walk slowly through the whole course to check that each obstacle is safe and reachable.

Step 9

Move any cones chairs pillows or rope to fix spacing or safety problems you find.

Step 10

Use a stopwatch or timer to run the course and record your first time.

Step 11

Change one obstacle to make the course easier or harder (for example move cones closer or raise the balance rope a little).

Step 12

Run the course three times trying to beat your best time and practice new skills.

Step 13

Share a photo or video of your finished obstacle course and your best time 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?

Use plastic cups or empty water bottles for the zigzag cones, a jump rope or sturdy belt tied between two boxes or stools for the low balance line, and string, sticks, or a row of small toys instead of chalk or masking tape to mark Start and Finish.

What should I do if an obstacle feels unsafe or falls down during setup?

When you 'Walk slowly through the whole course to check that each obstacle is safe,' stabilize wobbly chairs with books, tuck and clip the blanket under the chairs for the tunnel, retie or lower the rope, and spread or tape down pillows as the 'Move any cones chairs pillows or rope' step recommends.

How can I change the course for different ages or abilities?

Following 'Change one obstacle to make the course easier or harder,' make it easier for little kids by lowering the rope to the ground or removing the balance line and bringing cones closer together, and make it harder for older kids by raising the rope slightly, spacing cones farther apart, or shrinking the toss target before you 'Run the course three times.'

How can we make the obstacle course more fun or challenging after the first run?

Add a scoring rule for the toss challenge, create a themed course (pirate or jungle), turn it into a relay with friends using the stopwatch to compare times, and then 'Share a photo or video of your finished obstacle course and your best time on DIY.org' to personalize it.

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Facts about outdoor play and physical activity for kids

⏱️ Timing each run helps kids set goals and see improvement in speed, strategy, and confidence.

🏁 Obstacle courses are used in military training, school PE classes, and backyard games—people of all ages enjoy them.

🌟 Obstacle courses train both physical skills (balance, agility) and brain skills (planning, problem-solving, teamwork).

🧗 Parkour and freerunning popularized creative ways to move over obstacles using balance, vaults, and rolls.

🪑 You can build a safe, fun course from everyday items like cones, chairs, ropes, and pillows—no special gear needed.

How do you set up a backyard obstacle course for kids?

To set up a backyard obstacle course, sketch a simple layout and assign each station a challenge—cones to zigzag through, ropes to crawl under or balance on, pillows to hop between, and chairs to weave around. Start with a warm-up, explain rules, then time each run. Adjust spacing and difficulty after practice rounds. Encourage problem-solving by letting kids modify obstacles; always supervise and clear hard objects from the course.

What materials do I need to build a backyard obstacle course?

You'll need cones or markers, ropes, pillows or cushions, chairs, a stopwatch or smartphone timer, chalk or masking tape for start/finish lines, hula hoops or buckets for targets, and soft mats for landing. Household items like pool noodles, cardboard boxes, and laundry baskets work as substitutes. Include basic safety gear—first-aid kit, sunscreen, and water—and clear space of sharp or breakable objects before starting.

What ages is a DIY backyard obstacle course suitable for?

This activity suits many ages with simple adjustments. Toddlers (2–3) enjoy a short, low-course with close supervision and soft cushions. Preschoolers (3–5) can follow simple obstacles and try basic timing. Elementary kids (6–11) handle more complex sequences, endurance and challenges. Teens can add competitive timed runs, problem-solving stations, or course design tasks. Always match obstacle height and spacing to the child's size and supervise younger children.

What are the benefits and safety tips for a backyard obstacle course?

Obstacle courses build balance, coordination, agility, and problem-solving while boosting confidence and teamwork. For safety, inspect the area for hazards, use soft landings, keep obstacles spaced to prevent collisions, and remove sharp or heavy items. Require shoes for older kids; barefoot or grippy socks suit young children on soft surfaces. Set clear rules, supervise runs, and limit times per child to prevent fatigue and heat-related issues.
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Make an Obstacle Course. Activities for Kids.