Living Room Obstacle Course

What you need

• Pillows and cushions, 4 to 6
• Blanket, 1
• Painter's tape, 1 long line
• Laundry basket, 1
• Rolled socks, 1 rolled sock
• Phone, for the timer (optional)
• Towel, 1 folded, for padding corners (optional)
• Paper, 1 sheet for times (optional)
• Pencil, 1 (optional)

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Pick a clear stretch of floor, ideally on a rug or carpet so pillows don't slide. Move away or pad any furniture with sharp corners. Place two sturdy chairs facing each other, about a child's body length apart; push them against a wall or sofa if you can so they won't tip. Have the blanket, tape, basket and a rolled sock ready. Stay nearby the whole time, especially at the pillows and the tunnel.

1. Clear the space and move anything with sharp corners out of the way. Ask for help if you need it
2. Lay the pillows in a wiggly path, one small hop apart, like river stones.
3. Drape the blanket over two chairs to make a crawl-through tunnel. Ask for help if you need it
4. Stick a long, straight line of tape on the floor for the balance beam.
5. Set the basket a few big steps past the tape and roll up a sock.
   Ask: Where should you stand so the toss is tricky but not impossible?
6. Do a slow practice run: hop, crawl, balance, then toss the sock.
7. Now time a real run! Stop the timer when the sock lands in the basket. Ask for help if you need it
   Ask: What could you do differently to go faster next time?
8. Redesign the course! Change the order or make up a new rule. Ask for help if you need it
9. Now invite someone to race you! Can you beat your best time?
   Ask: What new station would you add for your next course?

Play it again

• Backwards run: walk the tape line backwards and hop the pillows on one foot.
• Sock cup challenge: carry a cup of rolled socks to the basket without dropping one.
• Team relay: take turns with a friend and add up your times together.