Gross MotorPreschoolersGrade SchoolKindergartners115 Comments
I have been dying to make an obstacle course for kids in the backyard for years.
I just never really had any spectacular ideas of what to make it with.
Even though we’ve made a simple crawler obstacle course, and even a learning obstacle course inside.
Taking it outdoors daunted me.
I knew it needed to be simple for the kids to understand. Because making a map of what they needed to do was going to be beyond me to make, and the kids to read it.
I had the idea to try making a backyard obstacle course with Fort Magic which is the fort building kit we happened to have already.
But you could make this type of obstacle course with a variety of play items you may have lying around that you never considered for this purpose!
Some ideas:
- Hula hoops
- pool noodles
- tent poles
- kids play tunnels
- tires
- pails or flower pots
- ropes or extension cords
- scrap wood
- lawn or camping chairs
- hockey sticks
- broom handles
- small step stools
- large LEGO© blocks
- or even just large sticks hammered into the ground.
So here it was, I finally realized that using the Fort Magic kit that we have and using it for something other than a fort was going to be a brilliant idea!
We turned it into a backyard obstacle course for kids to get active!
How to Make a Backyard Obstacle Course
The possibilities are endless of what to make for obstacles, but this is what we did.
We had five obstacles for the kids to run through, with the added fun of capturing flags.
I made the obstacle course in a straight line, going up the hill in our backyard. The hill being an obstacle itself.
The kids were to run up the hill through the obstacles and back down through the obstacles again.
First Establish a Start/Finish to Your Backyard Obstacle Course
I made a start/finish gate with an arched top using curved pipe pieces.
You could also do this with two chairs and a pool noodle arched between them. Or maybe a tent pole poked into the dirt at each end forming an arch.
I attached ribbons to it to make it a fun entrance and exit!
Since my obstacle course was designed to go through forward and then in reverse I only needed one entrance/exit point in the backyard.
Next Add a Belly Crawl
Then came the belly crawl portion of our backyard obstacle course.
A short tunnel for the kids to crawl through on their bellies.
Much like a ‘circle’ tunnel, but shorter and closer to the ground to make them actually slither on their bellies.
But you can also use things like lawn chairs lined up next to each other to crawl under, hula hoops, or a ladder propped up of the ground
Or take pool noodles and use tent pegs, dowels or long skewers to hold them in place like Raising Dragons did.
At the end of the tunnel I attached a ‘flag’ (aka ribbons clipped on) for the kids to capture as a victory!
Add a Slalom to Your Backyard Obstacle Course
The next, and probably the most favorite, obstacles was the slalom.
A row of poles for the kids to weave in and out of.
Again, with a flag at the end attached to it for the kids to grab.
You can use tall stools, large sticks, pool noodles again with a longer stick inside them, tent poles, buckets, hockey sticks in buckets of rocks/sand, cones, or even large LEGO block towers.
Create Hurdles for the Backyard Obstacle Course
The next part of our backyard obstacle course was the hurdles.
I made three hurdles in a row for the kids to jump over.
One shorter in height and two a little bit higher.
I was hoping to make each getting higher, but that proved to get too high for my boys, they can’t quite jump over it any higher yet.
You could use laundry baskets upside down with hockey sticks or broom handles poked through the open holes. Scrap wood propped up on small step stools or bricks, ropes tied between two weighted chairs, or even tires.
A Squeeze Though Ending to the Backyard Obstacle Course
And the last obstacle once again used ribbon.
I used two poles and attached two pieces of ribbon, one high and one lower, for the kids to squeeze through.
When they finished going through this part of the course, they grabbed the flag and headed back down the hill through the backyard obstacles again.
More Obstacles Courses for Kids to Try:
- Simple Crawling Obstacle Course for Baby
- A learning obstacle course that lets the kids break the rules
- An activity obstacle course to do inside
- String Finding Letters Obstacle Course
- Super Simple Sidewalk Chalk Gross Motor Obstacle Course
Try this at home and let us know how it goes!
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Jenny Stanek says
I learned and liked that they have a sale going on where you can save $50!
sara giresi says
101 different forts along with all the chairs and blankest! we would have a field day!
Penny Minding Mom says
I love how limitless they are!
leah wall says
I love the open-ended play of this product! Also, they had a giveaway on their website too!! :)
Annmarie W. says
I love that they even include safety tips on their website…like do not build ramps…and do not hit or poke others!
heather says
I went to their site and I learned that you can download and read their safety certificates.
Brenda N says
Great idea! I learned you can build 101 different forts, and I think my kids would like this.
Jenn S says
i learned that you get an instruction manual with a ton of different design plans to build! so exciting!
Melissa C. says
I love that this toy is so open ended. I’ve never heard of this product before! I love that there are both instructions or the kiddos can just use their creativity.
Crystal Rose says
I like that they have fort designs on their site.
Jennie says
I didn’t realize how many different fort options there are! Love these!
Linda K. says
I like the way that the kids can arrange the pieces as they see fit.
Leela says
They have fabric covers coming soon.
Holly says
It shows how easy set up is so kids don’t have to wait long!
michelle Hill says
I love the set keeps the kids off electronics and builds there mind in a fun way
Emily Wells says
I like that one kit can build unlimited designs.
liz l says
I like the Fort Magic Castle
grace renee says
I’ve never seen anything like this before!
Kelly H. says
I like that it is simple to set up.
Cassie Hayes says
I love how they give you ideas on their website. Love the car and pirate ship. Also with the design of the product your options are endless. Just use imagination.
Cindy Ray says
I like how they show you how to build so many different kinds of forts on their page.
Renee says
Seriously the possibilities are endless. What a terrific way to build your kid’s confidence that they can make so many things!
Lisa R says
I love the fort magic castle
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
Shannon F says
I love the different fort designs they show! My favorite is the Fort Magic Playhouse!
Jennifer Corter says
I really like the fort magic castle! My son would absolutely LOVE that!
Kimberly Bauer says
I like hat you can build many different things with just one kit!
rebecca day says
i like how it shows you how easy it is to set up
Marilyn Nawara says
I like the Fort Magic Castle
Jennifer says
I like how there are lots of pictures and diagrams that show how to use and connect the pieces.
Holly Mitkowski says
I love how there are so many options to do with this!
Sonia Garcia says
I like the variety of designs.
Lauren H says
I like that you can make a ship with it
Emilee k says
Love that it comes with instructions to make different forts!
Heather avrech says
What a great idea!!! My girl would love this..from forts to obstacle courses, the options are endless!
Laura says
I love the idea of building forts! We make them with chairs and sheets but this is so fun, we could take the kit to the park and build there with so many different pieces to make a different fort every time! Lover your idea of an obstacle course! The website is terrific, so many cool designs to make, the fabric templates are terrific too. Love the endless imagination that Fort Magic inspires
Lisa Hollinger Barto says
I like that there is so many different things you can make with the kit and it encourages creativity.
Brandi Elam says
I learned they have a 30 day money back guarantee.
Laurel Klein says
I have been blown away by the variety of projects featured on their blog–a Ferris wheel?! Amazing. What a cool product!
Tabathia B says
I like the submarine design
Cindy McElwee says
Endless possibility, never ending fun & creatively, amazing design of product ♥
Kristin Gideon says
I had never heard of Fort Magic before, and am so happy for this post! I loved seeing all the different inspiration ideas on their web site. What a fantastic giveaway!
Diana says
I love that these items spark imaginative learning and they are very child directed. Building is a huge skill to help brain development in my opinion and I would love this for my little girl. My husband loves making forts with her and I would love to see her creativity flourish with something like this!
Tabitha says
I liked the fort magic pirate ship.
this would be a great christmas gift.
Stephanie Shipley says
I like that the site shows different designs you can make!
Patricia says
I love that you can build different things with them.
Sofia says
Amazing! I can’t wait to try fort magic!
jenn giannetto says
i love that they have so many fort designs on their website and i would love to try them all!
krystyl olson says
what a fantastic and comprehhensive website! I love that they have all sorts of inspiration available, …. makes it easier than reading flimsy paper instructions.
Crystal says
I love how creative this is and it helps kids to use their creative side. They can make it into a castle, a pirate ship, or wherever their imagination takes them!
jennifer says
I love that there are so many possibilities~
Ashley Metzger says
I thought I saw this on an episode of Shark Tank, then I went on the website and saw that it was featured on it!
Julia @ Vegas Mother Runner says
Would really love this for my girls!
Laurie says
I love how many options there are! I’ve wanted one of these for SO long!
Julie Lee says
I love how kids can construct these themselves!! Love creative toys like this!
Tom T. says
Love the idea. My child may be too small for the outdoor course like the one you created, but could definitely do similar things. He is only 2 so the forts alone would be amazing for him.
Madalyn Haire says
i learned there are many ways to build and play
Rustell says
The pirate ship!
Miz Vickik says
I like the one that you can make in the shape of a boat!
Arik Issan says
Securely fasten sheets or fabric to ANY shape or design your child invents with no sewing
Katy Rizzuti says
I love that this product is so open ended and encourages thoughtfulness and encourages corporation with the kids. How amazing they can build anything they desire from boats, castles, subs and there is instructions on the website for some of these things if they need a little inspiration or a lesson in using and following instructions.
Maureen says
I love that Fort Magic is a hands on toy with infinite possibilities to inspire my three kids’ imaginations!
Sandy says
Just found your website from pinterest. I love it!! How could I pick one thing I like the most, or would want? I love that you can make so many different things. I love the airplane, canoe and spaceship and all the forts and homes. Great idea!
Luna S says
I love the different ways you can set everything up!
Birdiebee says
I like the Fort Magic mansion.
Liv says
My son says he wants to build machines when he is older I think this is a good way to encourage that mind set
Kim Kihega says
I love how it encourages imaginative play, and how there are so many different ways to use the kit!
Holli G. says
I learned that there are multiple ways to build them. I also learned they do not come with the fabrics. You can purchase one on amazon.
latanya says
I like the Playhouse
Adrianne B says
I like that you can combine it with your own household supplies to make truly imaginative play areas!
Cheryl says
I love this creative idea!
April P says
love that they have design examples for those that need a little creative help!
Kathy (Kangaroo Mama) says
I love how versatile the fort magic kit is and how you can make anything from a fort, castle, and even an obstacle course!!!
Michelle says
Man, this makes me wish I had a real backyard. My 4 year old would have such a good time doing this. Maybe I can team up with other parents and set this up at a park.
Michelle Canavan says
I learned that the fort magic kit can make unlimited designs. Their site has suggestions for 101 forts. I love that building forts with fort magic can be fun, quality time.
Jenny Q says
I just love all the possible designs you can make from the Fort Magic kits. It seems like a great toy to help kids use their imagination and to have fun!
Liza Vladyka says
love the page site so neat
i would love to teach my dog this course and of course the kiddos
Judith Jamieson says
never thought of an obstacle course! cool idea!
Brandy Fisk says
I like that it encourage imagination play!
picansi says
I love this idea! might have to borrow it for a birthday party. ;)
Shecki @ Greatly Blessed says
I love that it’s a cooperative toy that my kids can play with TOGETHER.
Mrs B says
This looks awesome! My kids would love anything by Fort Magic.
Kristan Price says
I love that there are so many different uses for this kit. You can use it for learning activities and it promotes fine motor play and gross motor play. There are tons of different forts you can make, too!
Jessica says
I was so impressed by the wide variety of building options with the Fort Magic kit-it looks like the possibilities are endless!
Alysia Bulva says
Would love to try this out at home and in my classroom!
charla graepel says
I love how versatile the kits are.
Sarah Doyle says
I love how creative they get with so many different possibilities! I always thought it was just fort like, but in the summer you can take it out and do obsticle courses…awesome!
Michelle B says
I love how easy the connectors look! And the fort magic gives some great building ideas too! Thanks for the giveaway :)
Gail P says
I love the countless ways you encourage imagination!!
Lee Mckoen says
WOW! I love The fort magic pirate ship! My 7 year old would go crazy for that!
Jo says
Love the obstacle course. This would be fantastic for homeschool PE!!!
Kathy Davis says
I learned that you van build 101 different forts.
Julie U says
Love all the imaginary play possibilities!!
Beth says
Love the endless and open ended possibilities!
christine j says
I love that they will be coming out with covers soon!
Nancy says
I like that they have designs on their website to encourage your creativity!
Martha says
I love the many configurations that you can make to create an amazing fort
Angie says
I love how open ended this is! I love all the designs, especially the submarine!
Sara moon says
So many ways to make a fort! Not sure my kids would know which to make first.
Elese says
My 2 year old would love that obstacle course. He never sits still!
Becky says
I love how it encourages kids to use their imagination.
Mindy says
Learned about using your own fabrics to fit your fort themes!
Valerie Theberge says
I love that we can Build Unlimited Designs.
Miriam Prantner says
I really love that these kits have curved pieces!
Laura D says
This toy looks amazing. I learned that the options are endless and this could grow w. my children
Kerry Graham says
Wow, I love all the different design ideas they give you on the website. So inventive. My kids and I would have so much fun building them and then playing in them!
Danielle Porter says
I like that they give you recommendations for forts or that you can be creative and make your own!
Nichole says
There are some really cool forts on this site! You can make everything from an airplane, to a tepee, to a magical castle to a boat or a ship. Very cool!
T Michelle Trump says
My nephew would love to make a rocket ship!
Crystal says
We would love this! Especially since we are homeschooling. I love all the different designs and the fact that they are going to make fabric covers! However, your creativity with the obstacle course would definitely make my kiddos happy! Awesome giveaway!!!