Infants and toddlers can’t stop moving! Help your child explore different types of movement by creating a fun and safe soft obstacle course out of common objects around your house. Obstacle courses are a great way for your child to develop a strong and healthy body while learning action words!

1. Gather objects for your obstacle course from around your house. Choose objects with different shapes and sizes. Think about how the objects will encourage your child to try different movements.

For example, soft and low things are good for climbing over. Things with plenty of space underneath (tables) are good for crawling under. Things that are tall enough for your child to hold onto while standing are good for cruising.  

2. Arrange these objects so that your child can safely and easily move through the obstacle course with minimal help.

3. As you help your child move through the obstacle course, talk to your child about the movements they want to make to help develop their vocabulary of action words. For example, “Look, it’s a pillow! Do you want to climb over it or do you want to walk around it?”

4. If your child needs encouragement to move through the course, place an interesting object—like a favorite toy or a healthy snack—just out of reach to motivate your child to move toward it.

5. When your child finishes the obstacle course, don’t forget to congratulate them!