how to set up a 4 way obstacle course for kids

Thread the string back and forth between a hallway of chairs. Clip items to the string and have your child remove the items as they crawl, or step through the course. If you have PVC pipes, this obstacle course is fun to set up in the backyard! Make tunnels to crawl under, hurdles to jump over and poles to weave through.

Full Answer

How do I set up an obstacle course for kids?

Obstacle Course for Young Children You can tape some balloons to lawn furniture, or a plastic slide and have your child crawl through it. Then place some hula-hoops on the ground and have your child jump from hoop to hoop to reach the next obstacle.

How do you make a home obstacle course for kids?

0:292:13DIY Dollar Store Backyard Obstacle Course - HGTV Handmade - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCourse you're going to need a few solar garden lights a couple of pole noodles. And duct tape thisMoreCourse you're going to need a few solar garden lights a couple of pole noodles. And duct tape this way we'll be able to make a tunnel for your little one to army crawl through.

How do you set up a simple obstacle course?

0:372:28How to Set Up an Obstacle Course in Your Backyard - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlace a wooden ladder flat on the ground participants run the length of the ladder as fast as theyMorePlace a wooden ladder flat on the ground participants run the length of the ladder as fast as they can by stepping between each of the rungs. Step 3 lay eight hula hoops in a row. And this segment.

How do you make a ninja course for kids?

0:313:55DIY Backyard Ninja Course For Kids - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then I added a rope up there to climb up. Then we took the slide down. I added on a couple extraMoreAnd then I added a rope up there to climb up. Then we took the slide down. I added on a couple extra 4x4 posts and got some monkey bars I can put a link in the description to where I got those.

What is a spy training obstacle course?

Spy Training Obstacle Course for kids from One Creative Mommy. An agility course that includes stepping through rings (just throw out some rings!), crawling under a table, and a tightrope!

How did Jamie learn to be a mom?

Jamie learned to be a hands on mom by creating activities, crafts and art projects for her three boys to do. Jamie needed the creative outlet that activities provided to get through the early years of parenting with a smile! Follow Jamie on Pinterest and Instagram!

Can kids have a crawler obstacle course?

Bonus Obstacle Course for Crawlers! Young kids can get in on the action too, even if you have a crawler. Set up couch cushions and pillows to have them crawl over and under propped up cushions! See our crawler obstacle course.

Did this article help you?

Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.

What are some good ways to make an obstacle course?

Consider inflatable obstacles . A safe and easy option for creating an obstacle course is to make use of inflatable obstacles. Since these obstacles are inflatable they pose a low risk of injury and can add an appealing and lighthearted feeling to your obstacle course.

How to place obstacles on a course?

Place them according to plan. Having assembled your obstacles you can begin to place them according to your obstacle course layout plan. Place the obstacles where you planed them and evaluate their position before opening up our course to others.

How to overcome obstacles?

Including teamwork can be a great way to get your participants working together to overcome the obstacle course.

What is the best place to build an obstacle course?

Look around for the best space available to you for your obstacle course. Hills might be obstacles themselves and can add difficulty to your course. Flat areas are a great location if you plan on building obstacles yourself that need to be level.

What is a three leg race?

Partners might have to throw and catch a ball a certain number of times. The three-legged race is a good obstacle that requires teamwork (When doing a three-legged race, be sure that the pairs ankles are touching and the rope used is tight around their ankles.

Why is it important to have instructions?

Having instructions can help prevent injury and make a fair obstacle course.

How to make an obstacle course for kids?

Now is a great time to create a basic obstacle course for your child. By 30 months, they may be able to: 1 jump in place with both feet, and then at a distance of 8-14 inches. 2 jump forwards and backwards (maybe even sideways) with both feet. 3 walk on a line. 4 walk on tiptoes. 5 stand on one foot for a short time. 6 run more smoothly; avoid an obstacle while running; come to a more complete stop. 7 catch a large ball.

What are some good activities for kids to practice gross motor skills?

catch a large ball. An obstacle course, indoors or out, is a great way for your child to practice these gross motor milestones. Obstacle courses also support motor planning, sequencing, memory, following directions, and self-regulation.

How to teach balance to kids?

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.

How far can a 30 month old jump?

By 30 months, they may be able to: jump in place with both feet, and then at a distance of 8-14 inches. jump forwards and backwards (maybe even sideways) with both feet. walk on a line.

How to extend a golf course?

You can extend the course by having them do it backwards, sideways, or even blindfolded.

What are hands and feet from Tumbl Trak?

Hands and Feet from Tumbl Trak – These soft denim fabric squares with hook Velcro backing have hands and feet screen printed on them in bright colors. These make the perfect visual cues for gross motor activities!

What are some ways to breathe life into an obstacle course?

Using natural obstacles like logs to balance on, stones to step on, and branches to crawl under is a great way to breathe a little life into an obstacle course. Try our Sensory Motor Scavenger Hunt for more ideas!

What to give kids to light up obstacles?

Dim the lights and give kids flashlights, headlamps, and glow sticks to light their way through the obstacles!

What happens when you call out a green light?

This is a great way to work on impulse control, reaction time, and self-regulation. When you call out “green light!”, kids begin moving through the obstacles. Call out “red light!” and that’s their cue to freeze – even if they’re teetering on the edge of an obstacle!

Who is Claire Heffron?

Claire Heffron. Claire Heffron is co-author at The Inspired Treehouse and a pediatric occupational therapist in a preschool/primary school setting. She began her career with a bachelor's degree in magazine journalism but quickly changed course to pursue graduate studies in occupational therapy.

Why is it important to have physical activity for kids?

Physical exercises are necessary for healthy upbringing of kids and sustaining their fitness level. However, most kids don’t like the idea to perform exercises daily and try to skip away from this tiresome task. You can go for a creative idea to encourage your kids perform fun-filled physical activities, without letting them know that they are actually performing exercises. An obstacle course can be set for your kids, providing them an exciting way of exercise and physical workout. You can establish an obstacle course by yourself and make necessary adjustments according to the ease of your children.

How far away from the jumping boxes should the mat be for Station 3?

For Station 3, place a gymnastic mat on the ground about 15 feet away from the jumping boxes.

How many tires are needed to make Station 6?

Place four tires or hula hoops on the ground side-by-side. This will make the Station 6.

How many times do you jump in Station 5?

When coming to the jumping box at Station 5, you have to jump up and down on the box with one leg at a time. Repeat this jumping 10 times before moving on to the next station.

How many sit ups do you need to do to finish a course?

While reaching to the end of the course, you have to make 10 quick sit-ups to finish the task.

Where do you place a skipping rope in Station 1?

At Station 1, you have to place a skipping rope on the ground. This is the spot from where your kids have to begin the obstacle course.

How do You Make an Obstacle Course for Kids?

Why buy an expensive kit when you already have all the required parts for a homemade obstacle course?

What are some skills that kids can learn through obstacle courses?

Gaining control over their movements is an important skill that may be practised by kids through an obstacle course. Those types of skills can include walking a “tightrope” on the ground, skipping from one spot to the next, and climbing a playground ladder.

What are the similarities between obstacle courses?

Although there are many kinds of obstacle courses and ways to build them, they share several similarities. They use objects and structures as the obstacles to “conquer,” as well as a specific path the children must follow, in a set order.

What are the benefits of obstacle courses?

What are the Benefits of an Obstacle Course? Beyond having fun and using energy, obstacle courses offer many skill-building advantages for the kids who take part in working their way through them. Some of these benefits can seem obvious, while others may be more surprising.

How to encourage creativity in children?

Creativity. A wonderful way to encourage creativity is to ask your child to take part in designing the obstacle course. This can involve drawing, writing, communicating ideas verbally and using imagination.

What is an obstacle course?

An obstacle course is a wonderful way to engage a young child in movement. These awesome obstacle course ideas for kids are simple and will provide hours of entertainment and learning. Although there are many different kinds of obstacle courses and ways to build them, they share several similarities. They use objects and structures as the obstacles ...

What are some of the skills that children can use to build gross motor skills?

In an obstacle course, this can include skills such as jumping, running, crawling, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting and throwing.

How to hold pool noodles in place?

Or take pool noodles and use tent pegs, dowels or long skewers to hold them in place like Raising Dragons did.

How did Jamie learn to be a mom?

Jamie learned to be a hands on mom by creating activities, crafts and art projects for her three boys to do. Jamie needed the creative outlet that activities provided to get through the early years of parenting with a smile! Follow Jamie on Pinterest and Instagram!

What is the goal of the Recycle Warrior obstacle course?

We recently took on this challenge and built our Recycle Warrior obstacle course! The goal was to create an obstacle course that students would love to participate in, all while promoting the importance of recycling.

Why do we put a recycling bin at the end of the race?

Every good race has a good finish. Since we wanted to spread the message of how important it is to recycle, we put a recycling bin at the end of the course. After they made their way through the tunnel, students dunked their bottles into the bin. By having one with a small opening, like the one pictured here, it even added a bit of a challenge to the end!

What is a recycle rally?

Recycle Rally is a free nationwide program that directly benefits K–12 schools and students by providing valuable incentives and resources to help make recycling easy, fun, and rewarding.

What are the materials used in the Over Under Challenge?

Recycled materials make up the entire over-under challenge. The cans are the posts, and the bar across the top is made from plastic bottles. We just glued them all together to make them secure. To help hold it into place, we used two-liter bottles filled with sand. The bottles across the top balance gently on the cans, so they will move if students brush up against them. This adds to the fun, though! If someone knocks one off, you can decide to deduct points or add on to their race time. (We think a five-second penalty works.)

What is a cardboard tunnel?

Every school can find extra cardboard to use. This cardboard tunnel is made of several different boxes to give students a section to crawl through. Remember, students still have to be holding their plastic bottle. Attaching all the boxes together really makes it challenging (and fun) for students.

What is roundabout in school?

The roundabout can be done in so many ways. It’s basically a way to bring in a challenge where students have to weave from one section to the next.

What can you make with reclaimed materials?

The Balance Beam. Here’s another one you can make with reclaimed materials. Keep it safe and secure, but you can use a fallen log or pallets to create this for your obstacle course. Make It Simple: If you’re not able to find materials to make a true balance beam, then create something on the floor using tape!

Benefits of Obstacle Courses for Gross Motor Development

This activity is great for working on gross motor skills. These skills work the large muscles of our body, which we use for walking, jumping, skipping, and more. As children grow, so do their abilities to control and move their muscles. Children need lots of time to play and build strength in their bodies.

Obstacle Course Activity Plan

Hop into the center of each hula hoop. Crawl through the pool noodle tunnels.