Get Kids Moving with a Themed Obstacle Course

I feel like I’ve been writing a lot (and thinking a lot) about things that you can do inside when it’s too hot to consider going outside to play, but when you get those nice days (or if you’re already planning things to do when it’s a little cooler out) you need to be ready to take advantage.

Having a piece of chalk and a sidewalk is all the preparation you need for a basic movement obstacle course. Think of it as a much more intricate game of hopscotch with other movements like twirling, balancing, jumping and throwing.

The original idea behind this post was the pirate themed chalk obstacle course from Chick Link. This super cute (and long!) course includes things like jumping over a crocodile, balancing on the plank, catching a fish by throwing a hula hoop, spinning in a storm, rowing a boat and more, high-fiving the pirate and finally getting to the treasure (which is also just drawn, or you could have little fake jewels) at the end.

This theme is super cute but it occurs to me you could do something similar with whatever your kid is into. Make the course based on characters they like with activities from shows or movies they enjoy. Think about how you can incorporate easy movement like jumping, stomping, balancing, twisting, stretching or throwing into an activity.

Maybe a Curious George course where you pretend to climb a tree, “swing” through the vines by jumping, toss the yellow hat on the man, etc.

And while this one is totally done on sidewalks, if you don’t have access to that much sidewalk you could do it with signs marked in the grass or even just calling out actions to kids while they run around the playground.

Or do it inside with tape and signs, if it’s still too hot to think about going outside but you want to get those kids moving today.

[Photo: Chick Link]

Ghost crafts are a lot of fun for kids to make and they’re a way to get into Halloween crafting that’s not really scary. Here are some easy ghost crafts for you to make with kids, whether it’s your kiddo at home or a class full.

I love this simple ghost made with a pompom or cotton ball covered in paint and used as a stamp. This one is from Crafts on Sea and you can have kids just hold the pompom or hold it with a clothespin to make it a little less messy.

Use cotton balls and printable facial expressions to make these silly ghosts from Housing a Forest. The post includes the printable templates or you can just add googly eyes.

Little fabric ghosts are a classic, whether you make them with white fabric or fall or Halloween fabric. Buggy and Buddy shows you how to make these little ghosts with a few cute embellishments. Just make one or two or make a garland or Halloween tree full of them.

There always seem to be paper plates lying around, and this paper plate ghost from Crafts by Amanda is a fun one. There’s a printable in the post for the facial features and arms, or kids can draw their own faces (and leave off the arms if you want to keep it simple).

What kid doesn’t love peeling dried glue? Turn that impulse into a craft with these glue ghosts from Friends Art Lab, and don’t miss the tip in the post that helps you turn these into window clings.

This handprint ghost in the window craft from Glued to My Crafts is so cute and easy for kids to make alone or with help. The post shows lots of variations so it would be fun to make these in a classroom and let each kiddo design their own “window” or add embellishments.

These sweet little tissue paper ghosts from Red Ted Art are actually mini pinatas, but you can just make it as a ghost without anything inside if you’d rather.

And you know I love a good kids’ sewing project so I can’t resist sharing these little felt ghost puppets from The Craft Train. Kids can sew them by hand or you can make them out of paper if you don’t want to try sewing them. The template for the ghosts is free to download, and you can also just make little softies instead of puppets if you like.

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