We’ve talked about obstacle courses here on the PlayFully blog once or twice and for good reason…they’re a hit with children of all ages! Today we are revisiting this tried-and-true favorite and breaking down the top three items you need to create an awesome obstacle course!
Jumping sacks are an obstacle course staple. Not only do they help to build gross motor skills but they require balance and coordination that can translate across sporting platforms. This particular kind of sack is made of extra durable cotton canvas and features double box stitched handles for reinforcement while hopping to and fro.
Another fun product to incorporate into obstacle courses is flags! These multi-colored flags are ideal for running in between or simply staking into the ground to create the boundaries of the course.
After the race, have each child grab a flag and run a few victory laps around the course to celebrate!
Finally, what’s an obstacle course without tunnels? Our Find Me 6ft Tunnels are the perfect length for racing as they are easy to set up and even easier to crawl through before sprinting towards the finish line.
For the older kids, you can line up several tunnels parallel to one another (with approximately 4 – 5 feet in between each tunnel) and use them as hurdles for an extra obstacle course challenge!
The more flair each participant adds to the hurdling portion, the better!
Out of all the obstacle course equipment, tunnels are definitely the one item that can be used by kids of all ages. They’re especially fun for babies and toddlers who are already adept at crawling at fast speeds!
Once the race is over, encourage each child to congratulate their fellow competitors on a job well done. Good sportsmanship ensures that everyone walks away as a winner!