Obstacle Course

Target Words

around, behind, directions, follow, in front, in, inside, on top, over, through, under

Materials

• chairs, stools, cardboard boxes, pillows, or Hula Hoops
• anything else you have to make an obstacle course

Directions

First create an obstacle course. It could be indoors or outdoors, and as long or short as you like. Include objects you can climb over or under, stand on top of, walk around, or crawl through. You and your child may want to give silly names to each obstacle. Walk the route together, discussing the directions for moving around, over, under, behind, in front of, or through each obstacle.

Take turns "running" the course. The onlookers will shout encouragement, reminding the runner what to do at each obstacle, for example:

• Gallop around the tree.
• Hop over the rope.
• Crawl through the cardboard tunnel.
• Stand on top of the rock and sing "Happy birthday to me."

Extension

After building and completing the obstacle course, or in between rounds, kids can draw the course, label each obstacle and draw a path showing the route to follow through the course.

Related Books

• We're Going on a Lion Hunt by David Axtell
  Two African sisters navigate many obstacles to find a lion and get back home again in this variation on a classic chant.
• Unplugged Play: No Batteries. No Plugs. Pure Fun. by Bobbi Connor
  Geared towards parents, this collection contains hundreds of fun games to build children's bodies, creativity, and imagination.
• Rosie's Walk by Pat Hutchins
  Follow fox as he follows Rosie the chicken on a walk that turns into an obstacle course.