Let’s make our very own obstacle course! Here are our favorite DIY home obstacle courses for kids of all ages. Whether you are making an indoor obstacle course or an outdoor obstacle course, we have DIY ideas that can use items you already have around the house! Let’s get some fun physical activity. Our DIY obstacle course ideas are great for home, classroom, camp or anytime kids gather for fun.
Best Obstacle Course Ideas for Kids You Can Make
If you are looking for a fun DIY obstacle courses, you’re in the right place. Obstacle courses are a fun way for younger kids and older kids alike to practice their gross motor skills and fine motor skills. We have great indoor ideas for obstacle courses as well as some backyard obstacle course ideas too! No matter where you set up your obstacle course it will include lots and lots of active play.
The best thing about these DIY obstacle course ideas is that they are super easy to put up and you can use various elements you probably already have at hand, such as jump ropes, bean bags, and painter’s tape – if not, you can easily find in your local store.
We hope you have so much fun!
1. Use Homemade Sidewalk Chalk for an Obstacle Course
Let’s learn how to make homemade sidewalk chalk! You only need 3 ingredients and a handful of household supplies. Then, use sidewalk chalk to create a fun obstacle course in your yard!
How to Set Up a Chalk Obstacle Course
- Grab chalk and find an area of sidewalk/driveway/cul-de-sac that is safe for play.
- With chalk, draw arrows and symbols to instruct the obstacle course participants what to do:
- Square = Jump
- Triangle = Hop
- Circle = Tip toe
- X = Jumping Jacks
- Star = Skip
- Foot = Touch Toes
- Wiggly Line = Balance
- Straight Bold Line = Jump Over
- Dotted Lines = Fast!
- Set a starting line and a finish line and then time your obstacle course participants so they are challenged to beat their own time.
Check out this obstacle course symbol example we found from Atlanta BSA.
2. Incorporate a Board Game Board into Your Obstacle Course
Take your chalk art to the next level and make chalkboard games and obstacle courses outside. This will provide fresh air and exercise, and most importantly, hours of active fun! You can add an element of your favorite board game into your obstacle course or theme it with some of the common moves made in the game.
3. Water Obstacle Course
This water obstacle course takes a bit of time to set up, but it will provide a long time of entertainment. We recommend this obstacle game, particularly at a party or picnic, and if wanted, you can make this a competition. From Meaningful Mama.
4. Play a Spy Obstacle Course
Train your kiddos as top-secret spies! There are so many different things to do that will provide hours of fun. This is ideal for birthday parties with kids that are 6 years old and older kids. From One Creative Mommy.
5. Moo, Quack, Baa! An Animal Sounds Obstacle Course
This fun animal sounds obstacle course is easy to set up, and perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners. This can be done in your living room, back yard or even a classroom setting. From Laly Mom.
6. DIY American Ninja Warrior Backyard Obstacle Course
This American Ninja Warrior style back yard obstacle course will be a huge hit with older kids. It can be set up however and whenever kids want to, so it won’t take up space in your backyard. The obstacles include PVC pipe hurdles, pallets, balance beams, and more. From Frugal Fun 4 Boys.
7. Sidewalk Obstacle Course with Chalk
Good chalk and a sidewalk are only two things you will basically need for this obstacle course. Make a start point and draw different activities, such as dancing, jumping, hopping, clapping, etc. So easy yet so much fun! From Playtivities.
8. Simple Crawling Obstacle Course for Baby
If you have a crawling baby that is constantly on the move then this super simple obstacle course is for you! It’s perfect for building fine motor skills while having fun. From Hands On As We Grow.
9. Activity Course with Balloons
An activity course built with an ABC mat and balloons! Here are some of the best ideas for you to try with your balloon obstacle course but you can customize it as much as you want. From Hands On As We Grow.
10. The ULTIMATE Obstacle Course for Young Kids
This obstacle course for kids is super easy and inexpensive to make. You can play it in your backyard and use the ideas here to make your own. From Inspired Motherhood.
11. Pool Noodle Backyard Obstacle Course
Here are so many ideas for you to make your own outdoor obstacle course for kids as young as 3 years old. Cones, bean bags, buckets, or any other toy or common household item will work just fine! All you need is something to stay put and mark off a goal. From Learn Play Imagine.
12. Super Easy Indoor Obstacle Course for Toddlers and Preschoolers
All you need is a few things they can step or climb over (stools, large pillows); crawl under ( dining room chair, coffee table); climb or step in (cardboard box, laundry basket); and jump over (swimming pool noodle) You can literally assemble it in under five minutes. From More Naps.
13. Escape the Volcano Shape Game Obstacle Course
This game has it all: color recognition, shape names, counting, singing, gross motor skills, using a full sentence, answering simple questions, and following directions. And it’s so easy to set up! From Toddler Approved.
14. Easy Gross Motor Obstacle Course Using Tape
Here is a great way to get the kids active when it’s too cold or too hot to be outside, or to just do for fun! All you really need is some paper masking tape and a little space. From Adventures at Home With Mum.
15. Learning (Plus it’s Fun!) Indoor Obstacle Course for Kids
Let’s practice letter recognition with some sticky notes stuck all over the dining room. For older kids, you can switch it up and make addition facts. From Hands On As We Grow.
16. A ‘Spy Game’ Scavenger Hunt
A fun and easy way to get the kids moving. Go on a ‘spy game’ scavenger hunt. Grab some tape and pompoms and you’re all set to create your own obstacle course. From Hands On As We Grow.
17. A String Obstacle Course to Find the Number Bonds to 10
Kids will have a lot of fun practicing matching numbers as well as number bonds to 10 (you might even learn something new, too). It’s great for kids in kindergarten and first grade. From Hands On As We Grow.
18. DIY Hallway Laser Maze Indoor Obstacle Course
Learn how to turn your hallway into a laser maze for some easy, inexpensive indoor fun for kids! They will get to pretend they are like the spies they see in movies, creeping through the lasers without touching any of them. From Its Always Autumn.
19. How to Build a Gross Motor Indoor Baby Obstacle Course
This sensory obstacle course is super easy and has great benefits for your child. You can use cardboard boxes, stuffed animals, couch cushions, soft blocks, and musical instruments. From Life with Moore Learning.
20. Sensory Walk Obstacle Course
Sensory walks are so much fun and allow children to explore their sense of touch using their feet! You’ll need large bins, water beads, flour, bubble wrap, and other simple supplies. From Raising Dragons.
21. Building an Indoor Obstacle Course
All you need to build this indoor obstacle game is blue painters tape mapped out on the floor, some stuffed animals to jump over, a sheet tunnel to crawl through, and other simple objects. From My Big Fat Happy Life.
22. Themed Holiday Obstacle Course: Don’t Ring the Bells Obstacle Course
The objective is to traverse the course without ringing the bells attached to each of the obstacles so not only are we exercising our ears and sense of sound but also our bodies! Idea from Childhood 101.
Want more indoor fun for kids? Try these ideas:
Which home obstacle course idea was your favorite?
