Building Better Skills with Fun: Obstacle Courses at Home!
At Abil-OT Kids Therapy, we love helping kids grow strong, confident, and healthy — both inside and outside our walls. One great way to support your child’s physical development, coordination, and creativity at home is by building a DIY obstacle course!
Obstacle courses aren’t just a great way to burn energy (though they definitely are that!). They're also a fantastic tool for supporting gross motor skills, balance, sequencing, and even problem-solving — all while having tons of fun.
Why Obstacle Courses are Great for Kids
Obstacle courses can benefit kids in several ways:
Gross motor development: Activities like crawling, jumping, climbing, and balancing strengthen big muscle groups and improve coordination.
Motor planning: Kids learn to figure out how to move their bodies through different challenges — a key step in physical and cognitive development.
Sensory input: For kids who need a little extra sensory support, obstacle courses can offer just the right kind of movement-based input to help them regulate.
Confidence building: Finishing a course (especially one they helped create!) gives kids a huge confidence boost.
Family bonding: Working together to build and complete a course is a great way for families to spend quality time together.
How to Build a Safe & Fun Obstacle Course at Home
You don’t need fancy equipment — just a little creativity and some household items! Try combining some of these ideas:
Pillows and cushions: Make a “lava” jump zone where kids hop from one to the next.
Chairs and blankets: Drape blankets over chairs to create a tunnel or crawl-through fort.
Painter’s tape: Use it to create balance beams, zigzag paths, or hopscotch grids right on the floor.
Laundry baskets and balls: Set up a tossing challenge.
Cardboard boxes: Let your child crawl through a cardboard tunnel or knock them down like bowling pins.
Make it as simple or as elaborate as your child’s age, abilities, and interests allow!
Tips for Success
Keep it safe: Make sure the area is free of sharp edges, tripping hazards, or anything that could cause a fall.
Involve your child: Kids love to be part of the planning and setup — and it gives them a sense of ownership.
Mix it up: Change the course often to keep things exciting and challenge different skills.
Include rest stations: Especially for younger kids or those working on stamina, it’s okay to add a “take a breath” station or a quiet moment with a stuffed animal.
Cheer them on! Positive encouragement goes a long way.
When to Talk to Your Provider
If your child has difficulty with balance, coordination, or strength — or if they seem frustrated by motor tasks more than expected for their age — it might be worth talking to your pediatrician or a physical/occupational therapist. We’re here to help you understand your child’s developmental milestones and support their unique needs.
Let's Get Moving!
Obstacle courses are a perfect example of how learning, therapy, and play can go hand-in-hand. Whether your child is racing through couch cushions or tiptoeing along a tape line, they’re building important skills that support their growth.
Have a favorite at-home obstacle course idea? We’d love to hear it the next time you visit us!