Activity Idea: Obstacle Course

Kindergarten QuickSource® reminds us that: Physical Health and Safety supports a child’s overall education and growth. Children learn best when they have healthy minds and bodies.

Here's an activity that presents math in a fun way, called Obstacle Course that gets children active and helps develop motor skill coordination. For this activity you will need: balance beam or pods, playground ball, tumbling mat, tossing game, safety cones, and a large area for safe physical activity. (If it's nice, head outdoors!)

Let's Get Started!
1) Build an obstacle course in a safe play area. This could be on a lawn or in a large playroom where the children can move safely.

2) Make sure the obstacle course contains items that will help the child balance, bounce a ball, tumble (somersault or roll), toss items at a target, etc. Also make sure that the area is clearly marked so the child knows where to go next and keeps a safe distance from others participating.

3) Model how to complete each obstacle course activity.

4) Encourage the children to move through the obstacle course keeping a comfortable flow so that all children can participate continually.

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds to developmental guidelines PH1: Demonstrates Eye-Hand Coordination; PH3: Demonstrates Balance and Control During Locomotor Movements; and PH4: Uses Large Muscles to Manipulate Objects.

For more developmentally-appropriate activities, visit Teacher QuickSource® and browse through all age areas, including Preschool, Kindergarten, Infant & Toddler, and Head Start. Don't forget to explore activities promoting environmental awareness at Environmental QuickSource®.