Chalk obstacle courses are a fun and engaging way for children to get exercise, improve their motor skills, and have a sense of accomplishment. You can watch this video to see one of our simplest obstacle courses in action!
How to Create a Chalk Obstacle Course
To make a chalk obstacle course, you will need:
- Sidewalk chalk
- Space to draw (sidewalk, basketball court, driveway, etc.)
4 Tips for Keeping Chalk Obstacle Course Fun & Safe for Kids
1. Make sure the course is big enough for kids to move around comfortably.
2. Use non-toxic chalk that won't stain clothes or skin.
3. Place obstacles in a safe location, away from traffic and other hazards.
4. Supervise kids while they are playing on the course.
Once you have gathered your materials, you can start building the course. I always start with lines and simple shapes (no artistic ability required!) and then add fun details (totally optional for those feeling creative) when it's done. For younger children that can't read, associating a specific type of shape/color can help them remember the obstacle. Here are some ideas to begin:
- Hop: Choose a shape (I usually use circles because they're faster than anything with edges) and draw it large enough for your child to stand in with both feet. Repeat this a few times, spacing the shapes so that your child can long jump from one to the next.
- Tiptoe: Draw shapes that are slightly smaller than your child's foot so they have to tiptoe to stay in them.
- Wide Step: Draw a series of shapes that are a bit wider than your child's hip-width. You can label them with letters or numbers to help your child understand which order to step on them.
- Balance: Draw parallel lines just barely wider than your child's foot to create a balance beam. You can draw sharks, lava, or something of that sort on sides for extra fun to encourage staying in between the lines.
- Follow: This one is super simple and could be all that you create for very young kids. Draw a line with arrows on it. That's it. Curve it, twist it, zig-zag it, or whatever you want. Kids love to just follow the line.
- Lunge: Draw a series of footprints spaced appropriately so your child needs to lunge or take big strides to get from one to another.
- Spin: Draw a spiral to indicate that it's time to stop and spin. Label it with a number to suggest the number of times to spin or just let your child decide.
- Hopscotch: This is a classic obstacle that is perfect for preschoolers. Simply draw a hopscotch grid and label with numbers or letters.
- Jump Twists: Draw two boxes side by side large enough to each fit one foot. Then, add arrows to indicate which direction your child should face when they hop into the boxes. Repeat this a few times. For younger kids, I recommend only turning 45-90 degrees at a time. As they get older, you can start adding 180 degree jumps.
- Bear Crawls: Draw the outline of hands or paws alternating with the outline of feet to create a path for your child to crawl like a bear. If the surface you're using is rough for little hands, you might leave a pair of gloves at this obstacle.
- Sprints: Draw two parallel lines wider than your child's hip width and extend it for a distance for them to run as fast as they can.
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Benefits of Chalk Obstacle Courses
Wondering how this easy and fun activity helps your child? Here are some of the benefits of chalk obstacle courses for children:
- Exercise and physical activity: Chalk obstacle courses encourage children to move their bodies and get some exercise. This is important for children's overall health and well-being.
- Improved motor skills: Chalk obstacle courses can help children improve their gross motor skills, such as balance, coordination, and agility. These skills are essential for everyday activities, such as walking, running, and playing sports.
- Problem-solving and creativity: Chalk obstacle courses can help children develop problem-solving and creativity skills. As they try to navigate the course, they will need to think about how to overcome the different obstacles. This can help them develop critical thinking skills and learn to come up with creative solutions.
- Social skills: Chalk obstacle courses can also help children develop social skills. As they work together to complete the course, they will need to communicate and cooperate with each other. This can help them learn how to work as a team and resolve conflicts.
- Fun and enjoyment: Chalk obstacle courses are simply fun! Children love to run, jump, and play, and chalk obstacle courses provide a great outlet for their energy.
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If you are looking for a fun and engaging way to get your child moving, a chalk obstacle course is a great option. There are many different ways to create one, so you can tailor it to your child's interests, age, and abilities. You can make them quick and easy or get creative and spend some time following a theme where your simple shapes become things like dinosaur feet, truck wheels, or sports balls.
Once you have created your course, let your child loose and have fun!
