ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: OBSTACLE COURSE

Remember the days of having to hold your best friend’s hand everywhere you went?  Kids will play on this sign of friendship in these fun obstacle course gross motor development activities for kids.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Varies depending on activities of choice above

WHAT TO DO: Create an obstacle course (ideas below!) and have the children try to maneuver through it while holding their partner’s hand. Don’t let go or you have to start all over!HOW TO CHANGE IT UP: Here are some ideas for building an obstacle course at home:
-Line of painters tape or colored duck tape along the floor to create a “balance beam”
-Jump over pillows or any object
-Jump up or down a step
-Go under a piece of tape hanging from one doorway to another
-Up on tip toes to reach an object in a high place
-Walk backward to a location
-Carry a big or little object together
-Fit into a designated small space
-Give the game a purpose!  Give your kiddos a bunch of unmatched socks.  Place ½ of the socks at the start of an obstacle course and the other ½ at the end.  Tell them to find the matches together! You could also use memory game cards to find matches at opposing ends of the obstacle course.

Want to take a closer look at the skills kids are using in this activity?  Check out our Clinical Closeup page, where we break down the skills listed below in terms everyone can understand.

Looking for more inspiration?

• Snowy Obstacle Course for Kids
• Jumping Hearts
• Olympic Skiing Visual Motor Activity

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Pam Braley

Pam Braley has been an occupational therapist since 1997 and has worked in several environments including pediatric inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, step down NICU, and currently school based for the past 8 years. She is a mother of two beautiful children, Jack (7) and Ella (5). Pam enjoys cooking, reading a good book, exercising including walks, yoga, and training with friends. This quote has traveled with Pam to each desk she has claimed while being an OT and helps her stay focused both in her career and as a mom.

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