In addition to using their imagination to create an obstacle course with objects that you have at home, outdoor play allows children to exercise physically and to evacuate their overflow of energy. Appetite, sleep and concentration will be stimulated as well as children’s ability to learn better.
So, we suggest that you create a family obstacle course. No need to buy equipment, what you have at home will suffice. The most important thing is your imagination!

Step 1 : Find obstacles

Obstacles may already be in the yard or in the park where you are. For example, turning around a tree, running back, jumping over certain objects that are already on the ground… You can work with what is available!

Here are some ideas of items you already have at home that can also be used:

  • A chair, to pass under or bypass;
  • A hula hoop to hula;
  • A ball to kick around certain obstacles or to dribble a specific number of bounces;
  • A wooden 2×4 to balance yourself and walk across;
  • Pool noodles… 

Step 2 : Creating the obstacle course

Establish together what the obstacles will be used and where they will be placed in the course.

Here is an example of a route:

Run to the tree by walking in all the hoops on the ground, go around the tree 3 times, go under the chair, throw the ball into the box (try again if you miss and until you get it), walk on the wooden 2×4 without touching the ground, jump over the rope and run to the finish line!

Step 3 : Ready, ready? Go!

You can use a stopwatch if you feel that a little competition between participants will spice up the game. Otherwise, you can just enjoy the successful completion of each obstacle. Parents’ participation in the race will add a lot of value and fun to the game and create great memories for the whole family.

Diary

On today’s logbook page, kids can document today’s activity. For example, by drawing each step of the recipe and its ingredients. The possibilities are endless!

We invite parents to ask their kids questions about today’s activity to feed and improve on their journal entry as well as to engage them in a nice conversation. Here are some questions you can ask:

  • What step did you like best in the obstacle course?
  • What obstacle was the most difficult for you and why?
  • Do you have any other obstacle course ideas for the next race?

Did you know...

  • … Playing outside offers children to have freer rein to their ideas? This develops their imagination. The goal of offering outdoor activities is to get your child out of the everyday boundaries of the house or apartment.
  • … Playing outdoors helps to control hyperactivity in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ? About 5% of children and 3% of adults are affected by ADHD, which is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders.
  • … sunlight is essential in everyone’s daily life? It contributes even more to the development of children. Light positively affects our mood and our inner chemistry and a child in a better mood will have a stronger immune system.

 Click hereto find out more reasons to encourage your children to play outside!

To take this activity further, we invite you to bring everyday indoor activities outside. For example, playing  hide and seek, frolling trucks in the grass or sand and playing cooking on the patio furniture.

 

Activity by Matante Claudette.