Perfect for Sports Day! Obstacle Course Ideas Recommended for 2-Year-Olds

Balance Ball Circuit

7 Balance Ball Exercises Parents and Kids Can Do Together

Here are some ideas for a circuit using a balance ball.

All you need to prepare is a balance ball.

Many people may think of it as something adults use for rehabilitation or training, but there are plenty of fun ways to play with a balance ball, so I highly recommend it! Of course, it’s great for practicing balance and strengthening the core, but you can also incorporate activities suited to each child’s stage of development—like crawling under a springy, bouncy balance ball or clinging to it tightly and using their whole body.

A circuit made with pool cues

[Ages 0–5] Seven Types of Indoor Educational and Physical Play! [Nursery School/Kindergarten]

Let’s play while getting creative! Here are some circuit (obstacle course) ideas you can make with pool noodles.

All you need are pool noodles and a utility knife or scissors.

Cut the long pool noodles in half and use them for the course! Place the halved pool noodles on the floor and include a tightrope-walk section where kids crawl or walk along them.

You can also roll balls along the top of the noodles, or connect them into circles to make ring shapes—great ideas to try!

Two-Foot Jump Challenge! Circuit

At Hachiman Nursery School (Fukui City), the Elephant Class (2-year-olds) had a movement activity in the hall! They enjoyed two-footed jumps, the balance beam, and the slide.

Put your feet together and jump with all your might! This is a circuit play activity where you line up sticks with spaces between them and place round mats for landing between the sticks, so kids can progress by jumping over each stick.

Many children may feel that jumping with both feet is a bit scary at first.

It’s a good idea to start by simply stepping over the sticks, and once they get used to it, have them try jumping.

A two-footed jump involves coordinated actions—bending and straightening the knees, lifting the heels, and pushing off the ground with the toes—and is very important in the course of physical development.

It’s great if kids can master it naturally while having fun.

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yuri

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Tunnel-Crawling Race

At 1 year and 9 months old: first sports day—crawling through a tunnel, jumping, and punching.

When it comes to parent-child events that give kids a sense of accomplishment, the tunnel-crawling race is a classic.

Children move forward by crawling through a tube-like space, making it an activity where you can really feel their growth.

If they’re having trouble moving smoothly, it’s recommended to have teachers or guardians assist them.

You can set out just one short tunnel, or line up multiple tunnels with rest stops in between—both sound fun.

It also gets exciting when you connect it with other activities like an attraction.

Create lasting memories with a sports day event where you can witness your children’s development up close.

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mutō

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Gymnastics circuit using equipment

Gymnastics circuit for 2-year-olds

How about incorporating apparatus-based exercises into the circuit? By apparatus, I mean items like mats and blocks.

For mats, you can set them up in a mountain shape so children can enjoy the process of going down.

For blocks, arrange them like stairs so they can have fun climbing over them.

Let’s think of setups that make moving their bodies feel enjoyable.

Also, during the actual event, some children may feel nervous and not move as they did in practice.

I hope it becomes a wonderful sports day where teachers and guardians can watch over the kids warmly.

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yamamoto

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Handmade ball circuit

[Ages 1–2] Can You Predict the Movement? Handmade Ball Play

Let’s use a variety of balls! Here are some ideas for a handmade ball circuit.

Prepare palm-sized balls, large balls you can hold with both hands, newspaper, cushioning material, tape, and bags or baskets big enough to hold the balls.

Try events like rolling balls along the floor or collecting balls in bags or baskets—use balls of different sizes and materials to build spatial awareness through play! Using balls that differ in weight and texture will also stimulate children’s senses.

Give it a try!

Circuit of/for interlocking mats

@mammybear_

Using 100-yen shop interlocking mats and non-slip plates, I made a bumpy road for circuit play. It doesn’t take up much space and is easy to put away.ChildcareMade with items from a 100-yen shop#Circuit PlayChildren's playRecommended

♬ Excited! Cheerful and happy! Whistling ukulele! – harryfaoki

Let’s make a bumpy road! Here are some ideas for a circuit course using interlocking foam mats.

You’ll need interlocking mats from a 100-yen shop, a utility knife, small bowls, and tape.

First, cut the mats into circular shapes.

Next, fit the bowls into the holes and secure them with tape.

Finally, flip the mats over, and you’re done! The key is to place the bowls to match a child’s stride.

Interlocking mats are great because you can assemble the course in any shape you like!