Cabin Fever Busters for Busy Kids

When little ones need to burn some energy indoors, obstacle courses are one of the most effective and satisfying activities you can set up at home. Here are the benefits - and five ways to make them work in your space.

Why Obstacle Courses Are So Good

Sequencing and memory. To complete a multi-step activity, children engage their sequencing skills and memorise what they need to do at each station.

Sensory input. A good obstacle course gives the sensory system a real workout - particularly the senses that help children understand where their body is in space.

Strength and balance. A mix of fast and slow activities, high and low points, builds both muscle strength and a sense of balance.

Motor planning. Moving through a variety of motions - crawling under, climbing over, jumping between - develops the ability to plan and sequence physical movement.

Bilateral coordination. Because obstacle courses require a range of movements, they develop coordination between different parts of the body.

1. Back Garden Obstacle Course

If you have a bit of outdoor space, a simple course using masking tape, cones, hoops or pop-up tunnels works brilliantly. Getting children involved in building the course means they will spend far longer on it.

2. The Floor is Lava

Imagine the floor is a sea of lava and there is only one safe path through. Create stepping stones from yoga mats, cushions, beanbags and step stools. The rule is simple: whatever you do, do not touch the floor. Slow-paced but surprisingly absorbing.

3. Chalk Course

A pavement chalk course takes minutes to set up and there is no clearing up - the rain does that for you. A good mix of running, jumping, hopping and balancing works well for most ages.

4. Animal Walks

Children love pretending to be animals and it is brilliant for developing gross motor skills and core strength. Bear walks, crab walks, bunny hops and frog jumps - make a set of animal picture cards, turn them over one at a time, and do the corresponding walk.

5. Yoga for Kids

Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube has a huge range of themed routines, from the Hungry Caterpillar to Disney favourites, and is wonderful for winding things down after more energetic play.

We love nothing more than watching children move, explore and challenge themselves physically. If you would like to come and see how we support that at Little Starlings, book a tour and come and meet us.