Outdoor Occupational Therapy Sensory Play Obstacle Course

Let’s plan an outdoor sensory play obstacle course and have a lot of fun with the whole family! This obstacle course isn’t just any obstacle course, but a heavy work and gross motor sensory play obstacle course designed to challenge the sensory system, provide heavy work, and challenge motor skills. Let’s get started!

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What is an Outdoor Obstacle Course?

An outdoor obstacle course is an adventure course setup outside often made for kids (but it’s fun for adults too!). Obstacle courses often use a variety of gross motor challenges and hurdles such as tunnels, cones, and items to jump over. Furthermore, the great thing about obstacle courses is that they can be customizable based on specific skills even adding in fine motor and sensory componets if you choose.

Obstacles courses are a great way to get kids moving and work on specific goal-based motor skills all while having fun. Add specific fine or gross motor skills such as blowing bubbles, lacing, and string beads as well as kicking, skipping, catching, and jumping obstacles. Furthermore, skills such as following directions, sequencing, and motor planning are also incorportated in obstacle courses. Plus, add in sensory play ideas as well!

Items To Collect

Start collecting items from around your home, garage, and closets. Here is a list of ideas that can be used as obstacles:

Boxes of various sizes
Cones
Tunnels, either one with structured frame or fabric based tunnel
Hoola Hoops
Pool noodles
Floor disks as landing spots
Pine cones to weave through
Straight sticks
A pile of old pillows to jump into safety
2×4” to use as a balance beam on the ground
Water squirt guns and target
Bucket of water balloons with target
Sidewalk chalk
Hang by the hands from a thick sturdy tree branch or try pull ups
String or rope to crawl under or jump over
Ramps
Rings, bean bags, or the game of horseshoes along with the designated target to toss
Balls to kick, throw or toss to a person or target

Gross Motor + Heavy Work Activities

Depending on the specific skills you would like for the participant to work on during the obstable course, pick and choose from the motor skills listed below:

Jump
Crawl
Weaving through cones
Step over
Walk heel to toe
Animal crawls (slither like a snake, crabwalk, bear crawl, inch like a caterpillar)
Army crawl
Run
Skip
Hop
Roll
Jumping jacks
Push ups
Throwing and catching

Fine Motor Challenges

Create a station in your obstacle course for fine motor components. Lay down an old sheet or blanket, or even a lid to a rubbermaid container or hoola hoop to house your fine motor obstacles. Add in one or two fine motor components into your obstacle course. Make sure any fine motor objects used are not carried throughout the course to prevent injuries. Some of the fine motor components may be a choking hazard for children under the age of 3 years or for anyone who chews on non-food items. Please use caution.

String beads
Lacing activity
Find small objects in putty or play dough.
Chopstick Tweezer challenges
Draw a picture, write letters, numbers, or words using a dry erase board or chalkboard
Peg piece puzzle
Flick a small ball or pompom at a target using the thumb and index finger as a stregthening activity
Blow bubbles
Nerf gun and target
Squirt bottle

Sensory Play Ideas

Water Games

Put together water games such as a tub of water with objects to collect at the bottom. For an added challenge before the obstacle course begins, ask the child to search for a specific item(s) to find, recalling the object during the course. Also, adding water guns or water balloons aimed at a target can be a fun water game for the whole family. And consider wearing googles in case any water balloon and water gun fights occur. Of course, always pick up any debris from the balloon (its a great fine motor activity as well using the pincer grasp!!)

Shaving Cream Station

Create an shaving cream station using a large lid to a rubber made container as a tabletop. Use the bottom as your water container and the lid to smear with shaving cream. Furthermore, have the child write letters or numbers, words, or find small hidden objects using their sense of touch. Lay a towel beside the wash bin as well to dry off the hands.

Sensory Body Sock

Have the child climb in a sensory body sock for additional calming deep pressure input, stretch out, and then continue on the course. Lay down an old blanket as a defined space, and prevent grass stains. However, do not complete the obstable course using the body sock as it may cause tears.

Sensory Rice Bin

Quickly create your own sensory rice bin. All you need is a rubbermaid container, any size you choose, dried rice and toys. Base the size on it’s use: Will the child climb inside or will the bin be used just for the hands? Fill the bin with dried rice and various toys such a figurines, cups, and spoons. Find objects digging through the rice. Lay down a king size old sheet or towel (for small containers) for easy cleanup to catch any pieces of rice that come out of the container to prevent wildlife from eating it.

Fine Motor + Visual Motor Activities

Obstacle Course Safety Tips

First, make sure your obstacle course is set up in a cleared outdoor space. Furthermore, an obstacle course can also be set up inside in an open indoor safe space. Avoid slippery floors and socks to prevent falls.
Always supervise children who are participating in the obstacle course.
Wear tennis shoes
Make adjustments to the course as needed to ensure the obstacles are a good fit and challenge for the participant.
Don’t place heavy items raised off the ground in case they fall. All heavy items should remain on the ground to prevent any accidents.
The 2×4″ balance beam can be placed directly on the ground for safety. It does not need to be lifted in the air.
No sharp or dangerous objects should be used in your sensory obstacle course.
Sunscreen, hats, protective clothing, and sunglasses are always a good idea when outside. Here are some tips for applying sunscreen for the sensory sensitive child.
Pick a day when the ground is dry to avoid slippery falls
Lastly, some of the fine motor and sensory play obstacles may be a choking hazard for children under the age of 3 years and for anyone who chews on non-food objects. Please use caution.

Set Up

Set up your obstacle with a variety of challenges from the lists. Include gross motor challenges and add in sensory play and fine motor based on your needs.

First, base your obstacle on your child’s current skill level.
Next, decide on the number of obstacles or challenges you plan to start with. Would it be better to start with three challenges or 5 challenges? If too many obstacles are added, it might become confusing or the child may become overwhelmed or frustrated by the number of steps.
Pick activities that are a just right challenge for the individual completing the obstacle. If the obstacle course is too challenging the child may get frustrated. Start with obstacles that you know can be completed with ease, then add a more challenging obstacle once successful.
Don’t make the directions too complicated specially for those who have difficulties following multi-step directions, motor planning differences, or have trouble with sequencing.
Lastly, and most important HAVE FUN!!