Backyard Obstacle Course For Kids

Today we’re making a backyard obstacle course using balance beams! Kids of all ages will love this backyard obstacle course. The weather is getting warmer and so let’s get outside and get some exercise the fun way! These balance beams will create a fun and challenging game for young children and older children alike! So, let’s make this backyard obstacle course!

Backyard Obstacle Course

This balance beam backyard obstacle course isn’t just fun, but it’s good for kids for a number of reasons. It helps with:

• Developing good posture
• Builds confidence
• Improves balance
• Helps build concentration and focus
• Improves coordination
• Helps promote muscle strength
• Promotes creative play

What a great way to help kids stay active and help their physical health! And if you are like me and love to DIY, you may have 2x4s already available! There is no reason to let them sit and waste away, use them to make this balance beam backyard obstacle course.

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Related: We have 24 great outdoor games for family fun.

Supplies Needed To Make This Balance Beam Backyard Obstacle Course

How To Put Together This Backyard Obstacle Course Using Balance Beams

Step 1

If you have whole 2x4s you may want to cut them down a bit. Or use the whole 2×4, it’s your backyard obstacle course.

Step 2

Once you have the correct sizes you want, lay them down on the lawn in a line with gaps between the boards.

Craft Notes:

If you live in a smaller area you can create a loop instead of a line.

Step 3

When creating your backyard obstacle course, use other objects between the 2x4s so you can stretch the length of your course.

Craft Notes:

If you have a big yard, you can set up two identical courses and have your kids race!

How To Modify Your Backyard Obstacle Course For Younger Children

If your children are smaller then you don’t have to set up an elaborate obstacle course. A single 2×4 can be enough of a challenge for small kids and can be entertaining. Make sure it is on the ground so they won’t fall.

Smaller children don’t have the same balance or coordination as older children so they won’t be able to do the same things.

How To Modify Your Backyard Obstacle Course For Older Children

If you have older children you can modify the obstacle course to make it a bit more challenging. You can make larger gaps after your child succeeds on each run. You can see how far the gaps get before it becomes impossible.

Want more of a challenge? Elevate some of the 2×4 planks and see if they can walk across each level without falling.

Add more of a challenge and add games like light running, red light green light, and other games.

How To Run The Obstacle Course

It’s fun and easy and the best part is, you can run the course anyway you want! But, you can have your child cross the 2×4.

You will need to have them start at one end and try to make it across the balance beam without falling off. If they do fall off they need to start over.

As they progress you can add more gaps, elevates, and introduce little games, and twists like running, jumping, etc.

Our Experience With This Backyard Obstacle Course

We loved course. It was so much fun and a great way for all of us to get outside and enjoy the sun and fresh air. My daughter loved it the best. She does gymnastics. So she had a blast jumping, spinning, prancing, and turning on the beams.

We also had fun with the “falling” aspect. It was fun and gave the kids a “sense of danger” without the risk. Well, there is always a risk, but it was minimal. It helps kids explore and take risks without parents having to worry. Also, not all boards are smooth, if they’re not, make sure your kids wear shoes.

I hope your kids have as much as mine did!

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How did your backyard obstacle course turn out?