Obstacle Course for Toddlers

Looking for a fun obstacle course to set up at your centre? This post shares our creative ideas and practical tips for setting up a safe and exciting course that will keep little ones active and happy.

Age Group: 2-5 Years Old

Materials:

  • Soft Mats: Cover the entire course area with soft mats to cushion falls.
  • Tunnels: Short, wide, and well-ventilated tunnels.
  • Low Balance Beam: Use a sturdy bench or a rolled-up yoga mat.
  • Small Hula Hoops: For crawling through or stepping over.
  • Foam Blocks: Stacked low for stepping or climbing.
  • Small Play Balls: For rolling or throwing into a designated area.
  • Stuffed Animals: As targets for gentle throwing.
  • Small Cones: For creating a simple maze or defining pathways.

Course Layout:

  1. Crawl Through: Start with a tunnel for children to crawl through.
  2. Balance Beam: Walk across the low balance beam.
  3. Hoop Jump: Step over or crawl through the hula hoops.
  4. Foam Block Climb: Climb over a low stack of foam blocks.
  5. Ball Roll: Roll a ball across the mat or throw it gently into a basket.
  6. Stuffed Animal Toss: Gently toss a ball at a stuffed animal target.
  7. Cone Maze: Navigate a simple maze created with cones.

Safety Considerations:

  • Supervision: Close adult supervision is essential throughout the course.
  • Matting: Ensure adequate soft mat coverage to prevent injuries.
  • Low Heights: Keep all climbing structures and obstacles at a safe height for young children.
  • Soft Materials: Use only soft, pliable materials for the course.
  • Clear Pathways: Ensure clear and unobstructed pathways throughout the course.
  • Age-Appropriate: Adjust the difficulty of the course based on the children’s ages and abilities.
  • Warm-up/Cool-down: Include a short warm-up and cool-down period with simple stretches.