Many elements will influence the size and difficulty of the obstacle course. Some factors to consider are:
- the size of the area available in which to construct the course
- the age of the children that will use the course
- the number of adults available to supervise children
- the children's capabilities.
Also consider whether or not to have the children help build the course. If it is a party situation and a number of children are present they may need more supervision than can be provided. In which case the birthday child and their family could build the course before guests arrive. If it is for a particularly large group, say a Scout group, it may need to be set up the day before.
The Obstacles
Here are some suggestions for obstacles:
- players are required to throw a mini bean-bag into a container. It can be a laundry basket to make it easy or a small saucepan to make it difficult.
- write out arithmetic sums on pieces of paper with an element missing eg 10 + ? = 12. Players have to fill in the blank
- the player is given two sheets of newspaper and has to cross a small area only by stepping on the newspaper. One sheet has to be picked up from behind, put down in front and stepped onto and the technique repeated until the player has crossed the designated area
- the player has to move feathers, say three or four, from a bowl at one end of a table to a bowl at the other end of the table
- the player has to cross an area with a balloon between their knees. If the balloon slips and ends up on the ground the player has to start that obstacle again
- create a loop of wool or string that is large enoud to go around players from head to toe. They must use it like a mouse wheel treading only on the string or wool to get across the destignated area
- put various household objects in a pillow case. The player is blind folded, draws out an object from the pillowcase and, feeling and touching the object, must name what it is
- fill plastic drink bottles with water and have the player run over the area without moving bottles
- put out three markers, say witch's hats, and have the player drag an object around the three markers without moving them
- have the player crawl across a slippery surface - a long sheet of plastic covered with water mixed with a little detergent is ideal.
This is just a start and once planning is under way, who knows what other ideas will come to mind.
After more game ideas? Try An Adventure Game and Outdoor Games for Kids.
Lesley Munnichs - I am a part-time writer, an avid reader and haunt bookshops and libraries for anything interesting. I love people watching, rain, the ...
