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Building an obstacle course

Building obstacle courses together is a great way to build your little one's motor skills and teach them about teamwork.

Going through the course helps them learn problem-solving skills too. Why not say some action words like 'climb' and 'jump', or words for positions like 'over' and 'under' as they go?

Watch the video below to watch one family give it a go themselves.

A little boy placing a cardboard box on the floor.
Try giving your child different choices of what to use to make the course and how they could tackle each obstacle.

The benefits of making an obstacle course with kids

  • Allows them to use their imagination
  • Encourages them to use lots of different vocabulary for objects around the house
  • Offers an opportunity for them to practise following simple instructions
  • They get to hear lots of vocabulary for actions like 'climb', 'jump' and 'crawl'
  • Great for learning position words like 'over', 'under', 'through' and 'around'
  • Helps develop their gross motor skills and physical coordination
  • It can help build problem-solving skills

How to talk through your child through an obstacle course

Make the obstacle course together using lots of soft and safe items for them to climb over, crawl under or go around.

Ask them what items they'd like to use. Try giving them choices of different things to use e.g. 'Shall we make a tunnel or a bridge">