Looking for a way to get your kids off the screens and moving their bodies? Look no further than building an obstacle course! Not only is it a fun and active way to spend time together, but it also helps develop important skills like coordination, balance, and problem-solving.
Planning the Course:
- Location: Decide where you want to build your course. A backyard, living room, or even the whole house!
- Age: Tailor the difficulty of the course to the age and abilities of your children.
- Theme: Add a little excitement with a theme, like a jungle adventure or a pirate treasure hunt.
- Obstacles: Get creative! Use household items like Blankets, pillows, chairs, tables, pool noodles, and boxes to create tunnels, hurdles, balance beams, and climbing structures.
- Safety: Ensure all obstacles are age-appropriate and sturdy. Pad any hard surfaces with pillows or blankets. Supervise children closely while they are using the obstacle course.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Crawling Tunnel: Drape a blanket over a couple of chairs to create a tunnel. You can even add glow sticks inside for nighttime fun! Or use hula hoops to make a tunnel. Crawl through to reach the next challenge.
- Hurdles: Use pillows, boxes, or laundry baskets as hurdles. Make them different heights and widths for added variety. Set up pool noodles at various heights to jump over.
- Ball Pit: Fill a plastic pool or box with balls for kids to jump through or crawl over.
- Cardboard box maze: Create a maze out of cardboard boxes and have kids navigate their way through.
- Balance beam: Use a plank of wood or a raised garden bed as a balance beam.
- Beanbag toss: Set up a bucket or container and have kids toss beanbags into it.
- Finish Line: Mark the finish line with a banner, balloons, or a prize at the end.
Tips for Success:
- Let your kids help design and build the course.
- Make sure the course is safe and free of hazards.
- Encourage teamwork and problem-solving.
- Take turns running the course together.
Bonus:
- Time your kids as they run the course and see if they can beat their personal best.
- Add a water element to the course on a hot day.
- Make it a fun competition with other families or neighbors.
Building an obstacle course is a great way to spend time with your family and create lasting memories. Be creative, get active, and let your imaginations run wild!
