With the kids cooped up at home, it’s important to keep their little bodies (and minds) active. That’s why Mamma contacted the experts in all things exercise - Acrokids, to get some tips on some FUN ways to sneak in some movement.

And what could be more fun than a backyard obstacle course?!

Here are the Top Tips/Steps for building an awesome obstacle course at home from the masters at Acrokids.

Get mum and dads permission and supervision (very important), they are the chief safety inspectors too!
Get creative! Find bits and pieces around the house or garden to build your obstacle course. You want to be able to crawl or roll under, climb or jump over, run around, swing through and land on. Some ideas are – pool noodles, eskies, outdoor furniture (must be sturdy), swing sets and monkey bars, ropes, ladders, the possibilities are endless!
Make sure you have a clear pathway, use socks or rope, paper, plastic plates anything to mark the direction of the course so you know where you’re going and you don’t bump into anyone.
Place your obstacles a safe distance apart so you have enough room to move from one to the next. Choose what tricks you’re going to do where, commando rolls, vaulting, jumping, swinging, crawling etc.
Practise going through the course
Play games and have fun! Here are some ideas

- Time trials - how fast can you get around the course, and then try to beat your own time
- Free running – do as many tricks as you can around the course to accrue points, each trick = 1 point, tricks can be commando rolls, vaults, jumps etc.
- Chase the Ace – for groups of two or more, the first person starts and then second person starts 3 seconds later, the aim is to chase and tag the person in front. Once a person is tagged, they have to do an exercise i.e. star jump or push up before they can continue chasing around the course.

Mamma’s special mentionFor more inspiration, click here to see Acrokids youtube video with step-by-step instructions on backyard obstacle course construction!

the nitty gritty

For more videos and tips of active fun at home with Acrokids, click here

for more home adventures, click here