TinyStepper
Child mid-throw aiming a colourful ball at a laundry basket in the garden

Obstacle Course Relay

Siblings take turns navigating an obstacle course while cheering each other on.

Activity details

2y–4y15 minshighbothCushionsHula HoopPillows

Instructions

Get ready
  • Set up 4-5 stations: crawl under a table, jump over cushions, spin around a chair
  • Walk through the course together first so everyone knows the route
  1. Set up 4-5 stations: crawl under a table, jump over cushions, spin around a chair
  2. Walk through the course together first so everyone knows the route
  3. One child goes while others cheer: 'Go, go, go!'
  4. When they finish, the next child starts
  5. After everyone has had a turn, rearrange the course together
  6. Let each child add one obstacle they choose
  7. Try it again with the new course — celebrate everyone's effort

Parent tip

Set out cushions and hula hoop before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.

Child smiling on a cushion after active play with a ball and scattered cushions nearby

What success looks like

Flushed cheeks, big smiles, and a calmer child afterwards. If they want to do it again, you’ve found a winner.

Set up a simple course — crawl under a table, hop over cushions, weave around chairs — and have siblings take turns completing it. The relay format means they are on the same team, not competing against each other. One runs while the other cheers, then they swap. The shared excitement and encouragement builds bonds rather than rivalry.

Why it helps

Relay-style play puts siblings on the same team by design, replacing competition with mutual encouragement. The physical challenge burns excess energy that often fuels conflict. Navigating obstacles builds motor planning, spatial awareness, and body coordination, while cheering for each other practises positive social interaction. NHS early years guidance notes that playing together helps toddlers develop empathy and learn to read other people's feelings — skills that serve them for life.

Variations

  • Add silly movements: hop like a frog through one section, walk backwards through another.
  • Time the whole team (not individuals) — 'Can we all finish faster together this time?'
  • Take it outdoors and use garden furniture, trees, and the climbing frame.

Safety tips

  • Check all obstacles are stable and won't topple when bumped.
  • Ensure adequate space between stations to avoid collisions.
  • Adjust difficulty for age — younger toddlers need simpler, shorter courses.

Want to try another?

Hoop Jump and Run

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