how to set up backyard obstacle course

by Guadalupe Rogahn 7 min read

How to Build a Backyard Obstacle Course

  • Step 1: Gather Supplies. Gather all the needed supplies that will become your obstacles, your paper, pencil, and...
  • Step 2: Plan Out Your Obstacle Course. Plan out your obstacle course on a piece of paper by making a rough picture of...
  • Step 3: Number the Obstacles. Number each obstacle so you have an idea of the route to take when...

Part of a video titled How to Set Up an Obstacle Course in Your Backyard - YouTube
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Step 1 pick start and end points for the course and mark them with traffic cones map out a trailMoreStep 1 pick start and end points for the course and mark them with traffic cones map out a trail that includes 10 or 15 feet of space between events and avoids hazards like sinkholes stumps.

Full Answer

How to set up an obstacle course in your backyard?

Part 1 of 3: Planning the Obstacle Course Download Article

  1. Find a good space for the obstacle course. Before you can begin planning the details of your obstacle course you will need to find a good location to build ...
  2. Think about who will be using the obstacle course. Not all obstacle courses are created the same. ...
  3. Start planning out your obstacle course. ...
  4. Consider legal concerns. ...

How to make a fun indoor obstacle course?

  • Tape - For one of the obstacle course activities, you can use duct tape or masking tape to create lines on the floor which can be used to walk and ...
  • Books and bedsheets - Use a bed sheet to create a magical tunnel to crawl under. ...
  • Hula-hoops - You can use hula-hoops as one of the activities of the obstacle course. ...

More items...

How to make your own backyard agility course?

Make Your Own Dog Agility Course

  • Standard Jump — Retails for $50-$200. Jumps represent the core of the obstacle course. ...
  • Tire Jump — Retails for $120-$175. The tire jump was possibly our biggest surprise. ...
  • Weave Poles — Retail for $50 per section. ...
  • Tunnel — Retails for $175-$200. ...
  • Teeter Board — Retails for $50-$75. ...

How to make your own backyard ropes course?

  • Make a sponge bucket brigade. Fill one bucket with water and give each kid a large sponge. ...
  • Play "stepping stones." Give a group of three kids four pieces of paper. Have them cross the backyard by only stepping on the pieces of the paper. ...
  • Make a "mummy" obstacle by having one kid wrap a friend from head to toe in toilet paper.

How do I set up an obstacle course at home?

Here are a few ideas to get you started on building an indoor obstacle course for your kids:Crawl under or over a row of chairs.Crawl under a string stretched between two chair legs.Jump into and out of a Hula-Hoop five times.Walk on a balance board.Throw a beanbag into a laundry basket.More items...

What do you need for an obstacle course?

10 things you can use to create a DIY obstacle coursePool noodles. ... Scrap lumber. ... Tunnels. ... Stumps. ... Any kind of ball. ... Ninja quintuple steps. ... Bean bags. ... Skipping rope.More items...•

How do you make a ninja course in your backyard?

0:576:30How to Build a Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course! DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd the first thing I want to do is dig the holes for your posts you want to make sure that theseMoreAnd the first thing I want to do is dig the holes for your posts you want to make sure that these are at least two and a half feet deep I secured mine with a 2x4 held them in place.

How do I make my child obstacle course?

0:146:39How to Make an Obstacle Course for Your Kids in Your BackyardYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo i'm going to be creating an activity course that will get the kids climbing swinging and havingMoreSo i'm going to be creating an activity course that will get the kids climbing swinging and having fun i'm digging a few holes to put some posts in which will support a hanging rope and some

How much would it cost to build an obstacle course?

For the most basic materials and designs, building a ninja course starts at around $200. If you upgrade materials, frames and the complexity of the obstacles, your costs are likely to go up. For tall, multi-tier obstacles you might need to rent a boom lift or other equipment.

What are the types of obstacle courses?

Obstacle courses can include running, climbing, jumping, crawling, swimming, and balanceing with the aim of testing speed and endurance. Sometimes a course involves mental tests. In an off-road obstacle course, the driver is presented with a variety of different terrain to get over, around or through.

How do you hang a ninja course without trees?

This includes: soft ground, no stumps, no metal railing, no cement, no gravel and at least 6 feet in each direction of soft grass to land on in the case of a fall. Dig the holes at least 1/3 of the height of the posts inches into the ground. to ensure stability when bearing the weight of the line.

How do you make a kids Ninja Warrior course?

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.

How do you make a salmon ladder?

0:334:52Salmon Ladder Tutorial - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can do that you're gonna want to do bigger taps. And so you can actually hit the bottom of theMoreYou can do that you're gonna want to do bigger taps. And so you can actually hit the bottom of the next rung. And if you can do that you're ready to take the bar out and in and get your first Salmon.

Why are obstacle courses good for toddlers?

By climbing over and under obstacles, children build strength in their hands, wrists, shoulders, and core muscles. This helps them to tackle tasks that require precision like writing and cutting more comfortably.

How to run through an obstacle course?

Now that you're warmed up, get to your starting line! Have your parent or guardian, say 3...2...1...GO! and you will run through your obstacle course as fast as possible. Don't forget your creative moves on at least 3 of your obstacles. Don't forget to start the timer on the word GO! and stop it the moment you cross the finish line.

What are some natural objects that can be used in your backyard?

1. Natural objects already in your backyard like trees, bushes, bird feeders, gas meters, etc.

How to make it more fun and challenging?

To make it more fun and challenging, when going from one obstacle to the next, pick a crazy way to move. For example, you might bear crawl from the starting line to the first obstacle (circled above). Have a crazy way to move between at least 3 of the objects to maximize the fun!

How to prevent injury while running?

It's always a good idea to stretch and warm up your muscles (see above picture) before doing any physical exercise or activity to prevent injuries. So bend down and touch your toes, raise your arms above your head, and do a few jumping jacks for a few minutes before running through your obstacle course. Ask Question.

What is an obstacle course?

An obstacle course is basically a set of challenges and/or maneuvers that each participant has to complete to make it to the end of the course. Obstacles can include climbing, crawling, jumping. They can even include random actions such as dancing or singing, depending on the nature of the course.

What are some good things to do while doing an obstacle course?

Kicking. Kicking is a great skill to use while doing an obstacle course. Dribbling soccer balls around objects is a great way to practice soccer skills, but requires patience and skills. Other objects can be kicked around, such as beach balls, cans, liter soda bottles, or anything else lying around in the recycle bin.

What are some fun obstacles to use in a field?

For this fun obstacle course, find obstacles such as cones, cups, or plates and place them around the field, with enough room to maneuver around each of them.

How to carry challenges?

There are lots of fun carrying challenges that you can incorporate into your obstacle course. Place an egg in a spoon and make it to an end point. Balloons between knees. Carrying a glass of water from one end of the field to another without spilling.

What is another challenge for an obstacle course?

Throwing objects to a target is another great challenge for an obstacle course.

What is a designated spot in a course?

At a designated spot of the course, require the participant to perform a certain exercise or combination of exercise for a determined amount or time period.

How to add a balancing beam to an obstacle?

If you would like to add a balancing beam to your obstacle, find some old railroad ties or other thick boards of wood, and secure them into the ground by either putting dirt around them or anchoring them with weighted objects.

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 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.

How to test agility?

Running around a series of cones, like a skier slaloming, can be a good test of agility. Try tying small threads with bells attached to them just off the ground. Participants have to step around them without ringing the bells.

Do you need to build an obstacle course for your friends?

Building a simple obstacle course for your friends and family on the other hand will not require such steps.

Do all obstacle courses have to be created the same?

Not all obstacle courses are created the same. You will need to build your course while keeping the participants in mind. Think about the age and physical fitness levels of those who will be using the course. Try to build a safe and challenging course based on this information.

Plan Your Build

The first step is to plan your obstacle. While it is possible to build an obstacle course from a kit, it’s a lot more fun to design and build your own. Here are some things to consider when planning your obstacle. • Area to be covered – measure the amount of space you have for your obstacle course.

Gather Your Materials

You don’t have to buy all your materials. One popular obstacle consists of taking used truck tires (which you can often get for free) and painting them in bright colors. Do as much scrounging as you desire to keep costs down.

Put It All Together in the Backyard

With materials in hand, map out the obstacle course and place the materials for each obstacle in position around the yard. Build each obstacle, cleaning up the work site as you go to minimize accidents.

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.

What is the best thing about obstacle courses?

One of the best things about an obstacle course is that you can put any activity in it. Try out this homemade DIY Cavaletti!

What are some fun obstacle courses for kids?

1. Water Obstacle Course. Using balloons, pool noodles and lots of water, this obstacle course is perfect for all ages! 2. Spy Training Obstacle Course. Kids love to pretend as spies or as action characters. Start their training by creating your very own Spy training camp! 3. Backyard Obstacle Course.

Why are obstacle courses good for kids?

I think obstacle courses are great for kids. They encourage thinking and problem solving. Also most of the obstacle courses require lots of physical movement which is so hard to achieve these days.

Can you do obstacle courses indoors?

If summer is over and you are still cra ving for obstacle courses, you can always do it indoors!

Do you need a lot of materials to make an obstacle course?

You don't need a lot of materials to do this. Just look around your home for toys that can be used for every station for the obstacle course.

Can you make an obstacle course with chalk?

Using only a box of colored chalks, you can create your own obstacle course even without a backyard!

Can you use pool noodles for obstacle course?

With your pool noodles hanging around your house after the summer getaway, you can still use it for this awesome obstacle course.

What are some good obstacles to use in obstacle courses?

Variety adds spice to an obstacle course. We appreciate courses that include a combination of obstacles such as rings, bars, ladders, nets, and other objects for kids to grab or climb.

How much does a backyard ninja obstacle course cost?

Backyard ninja obstacle course prices. The lower-priced end of backyard ninja obstacle courses ranges from $70 to $90. These sets have six or seven obstacles, and they usually include monkey bars, rope knots, and gymnastic rings. They will be around 30 to 35 feet in length.

What are ninja obstacle courses made of?

From your point of view, though, safety needs to come first. Most backyard ninja obstacle courses are made from sturdy nylon and stainless steel components that will last for years.

What is the best material for obstacle course kits?

Nylon: Most of the lines are made from nylon. Its strength and durability make it the perfect material for these obstacle course kits. Unfortunately, nylon does tend to break down when it’s subjected to continuous UV exposure from the sun.

What can you add to a rope swing?

A. This is where you can add the cool stuff: rope swings, climbing ropes, cargo nets, and t-bars. Older kids are generally stronger and can successfully swing from one obstacle to the next, so you can also set your line a bit higher off the ground.

What materials are used in ninja obstacle courses?

We seek products with components that are durable and made of quality materials that can withstand frequent use such as stainless steel, wood, and nylon.

How much does it cost to build a ninja course?

Building a backyard ninja course for your kids piece-by-piece would cost about $200, so buying a pre-made one is always a cheaper route.

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