How to build an indoor motor skills obstacle course: equipment checklist

An indoor obstacle course is one of the best ways to build motor skills at home, especially on rainy days when energy levels are high and the park is not an option. You can build a genuinely useful course with a mix of household items and a few affordable pieces of equipment. Here is a checklist.

Something to crawl through or under. [A play tunnel](amazon-search:kids play tunnel) is ideal, but a row of chairs with a blanket over the top works just as well. Crawling builds shoulder and core strength.

Something to balance on. A line of masking tape on the floor, [a low balance beam](amazon-search:kids low balance beam), or a row of cushions to step across.

Something to jump over or onto. Cushions, a rolled-up towel, or [floor markers](amazon-search:floor spot markers kids) to hop between. Jumping and landing build leg strength and coordination.

Something to throw or aim at. A laundry basket and [soft balls or bean bags](amazon-search:bean bags kids). Aiming adds hand-eye coordination to the course.

Something to step between. [Stepping stones](amazon-search:stepping stones kids), cushions or paper plates scattered on the floor encourage planning and balance.

Something to carry. A bean bag balanced on the head, or a ball held between the knees, adds a focus challenge to the walking sections.

Arrange the stations in a loop, demonstrate once, and let your child repeat it as many times as they like. Time them if they enjoy the challenge, but keep it playful. Change the layout regularly to keep it fresh. Courses like this are also a lovely way to practise the kinds of skills physiotherapists and occupational therapists work on, in a way that feels nothing like therapy.