Activity: Build a Backyard (or Living Room) Obstacle Course – Then Time Each Other!

Perfect for: Indoors or outdoors

Best for: Ages 4+ (improves coordination, physical fitness, creativity, and goal-setting)

Activity Description:

Design and build a fun, wacky obstacle course using whatever you have—cushions, cones, broomsticks, hula hoops, chairs, chalk, string, tape, buckets, or boxes. Then take turns running the course and timing each other. This helps kids burn energy, practice problem-solving, and build perseverance—and it’s hilarious.

How to Do It:

1. Design the Course Together

Ask:

• “What kinds of challenges should we include?”
• “Should we crawl, hop, balance, or spin?”

Use what’s available:

• Jump over cushions
• Crawl under chairs
• Balance along a rope
• Spin 5 times and toss a beanbag
• Pop bubbles while hopping

Let kids sketch it out first like a mini map.

2. Build It with Household Items

Give them creative freedom to experiment:

• Create “lava zones” with red blankets
• Use masking tape to make zig-zag balance lines
• Add signs with funny names like “The Wobble Walk” or “The Dizzy Turn”

Encourage them to tweak and refine it—this is where their design thinking skills shine!

3. Add the Time Challenge

Use a stopwatch or phone timer. Time each family member, then let them try again and beat their own record.

You could add:

• A leaderboard
• Medals made of foil and string
• Silly penalties (like 5 jumping jacks) if someone steps off the course

4. Include a Reflection Break

After a few rounds, ask:

• “What was the hardest part?”
• “How could we make it even better?”
• “What should we add next time?”

This encourages growth mindset and constructive feedback.

5. Make It a Weekly Challenge

Create a new version every week. Kids can rotate being the “course designer” and invent new names, themes, and stunts.

They’ll learn resilience, planning, and how fun it is to keep moving.

Ready to keep the adventure going? Just type n!