Creating an indoor obstacle course is an easy way to get the kids moving inside. It works great on a rainy, too cold, or too hot day to work out the wiggles.
Course design is only limited by the obstacle potential seen in furniture and objects around the house. Starting with something simple like this over and under obstacle course can inspire creative station additions to make the obstacle course uniquely your own!
Materials:
• Cards – 7.5cm x 12.5cm or thereabouts
• Marker
• Chairs/stools/ottomans
• Tape
On each card, have a child draw an arrow. You will need an arrow for each of the chair obstacles on your course.
Set up chairs, stools and ottomans, leaving space between them, throughout a room or hallway. Your course can be limited to one room, or spread throughout the house. On each piece of furniture, tape an arrow that indicated whether that obstacle needs to be negotiated by going over or under it. You can also use arrows to mark the course and direct kids around things.
Set start and finish lines.
Kids will love running the course just by following the arrows, but if you want to add a little competition, then time them on a stopwatch and have them try to beat their time on each run through.
Modification for younger kids:
Shorten the course for younger children and make an under path only.
Modification for older kids:
Let older kids design the course within the parameters of what furniture is course-worthy. The last time we did this at our house, the kids had a course with 22 stations! Have them chart their times for each trial.
TIP: Create homemade medals and three-tier award stand for an indoor Olympic ceremony based on the results of the over and under obstacle competition.
Source: 101 Kids Activities That are the Bestest, Funnest Ever! By Holly Homer and Rachel Miller.