Hills might be obstacles themselves and can add difficulty to your course. Flat areas are a great location if you plan on building obstacles yourself that need to be level. Bodies of water can be used as a fun swimming obstacle or something to jump over. Make sure your space has enough room for any obstacles you want to include. Check that the area is free from any hazards such as stones, hard surfaces, or anything else that could cause harm.
Children’s obstacle courses should be simple and safe, avoiding any hard, large, or dangerous obstacles. Obstacle courses for adults can be more intensive and include more dangerous obstacles like swimming through a deep body of water.
Think about which obstacles would fit certain areas of your space better. Consider how the obstacles will work sequentially. Make sure obstacles are far enough apart so that they won’t interfere with one another.
Simple backyard obstacle courses won’t need any legal protection. Larger, public and for-profit courses will need legal protection and other legal requirements. Legal requirements will vary greatly depending on location and event. Talk with a lawyer to learn more.
Having instructions can help prevent injury and make a fair obstacle course. Include specific instructions on how an obstacle is to be completed. For example, participants must go through a tunnel and not over it.
Running around a series of cones, like a skier slaloming, can be a good test of agility. Try tying small threads with bells attached to them just off the ground. Participants have to step around them without ringing the bells. [4] X Research source Hanging hula-hoops from a branch can create an obstacle that needs to be hopped or stepped through.
Try setting some targets, such as a hula hoop, on the ground to have people jump towards. Consider a section of the course that has to be done on a pogo stick or bounce ball. Create a high jump obstacle by placing something soft in the path like a hay bale. Doing a series of frog jumps can be a good test of jumping abilities.
A simple straight board can make a good balance beam. You can require people to stand on one leg for a certain amount of time. Participants might be required to balance a ball on their head for a few seconds.
Partners might have to throw and catch a ball a certain number of times. The three-legged race is a good obstacle that requires teamwork (When doing a three-legged race, be sure that the pairs ankles are touching and the rope used is tight around their ankles. Also, ensure that they put their arms around each other’s waist for good support. (This obstacle is best completed in boy/girl pairs!). Having a “human wheelbarrow” section of the course can be a good way to include teamwork.
You might have a section where people have to do a certain amount of push-ups before continuing. Placing a simple pull up bar or arm hang bar can test upper body strength. Running while carrying something heavy can be a test of the whole body’s strength. Crawling can engage the entire body.
Most inflatable obstacles are designed with children in mind. Inflatable obstacles are easy to place, requiring little to no assembly.
Hula hoops can make great markers for jumping or agility obstacles. A simple board can make a quick balancing beam. Hay bales or couch cushions can make a fun jumping obstacle. Small sport cones can outline the obstacle course or be obstacles themselves.
You might find that a planned location for an obstacle doesn’t work well. Don’t be afraid to make changes. Try doing the obstacle course yourself once you’ve built it to evaluate how well it works. Once you’ve built and tested your course it’s time to open it up to others.
