Backyard Ninja Obstacle Course

Rope or string for the crawl-under station

3-4 pool noodles for the jumping station

A 2x4 board or garden border for balance

Cushions or a low play structure for climbing

Cones or markers for the weave

Monkey bars or a pull-up bar (optional)

Design your ninja course. Walk your backyard and plan 6-8 stations using available equipment and terrain. Each station should test a different skill.

Army Crawl Station: tie a rope between two posts about 18 inches off the ground. Your child must crawl under on their belly without touching the rope. For extra drama, say it's a "laser beam."

Jump Station: lay 3-4 pool noodles on the ground about 2 feet apart. Jump over each one without touching them.

Balance Station: set up a 2x4 board on the ground or find a garden border. Walk the length without stepping off.

Climb Station: stack cushions, use a low play structure, or set up a hay bale. The goal is to climb over something higher than waist height.

Weave Station: set up 5-6 cones and sprint between them. For a twist, carry a water balloon that can't be dropped.

Hang Station: if you have monkey bars or a pull-up bar, hang for 10 seconds. If not, do 10 jumping jacks.

Time the full course from start to finish. Write down the time and challenge your child to beat it on the next run.

Building the course together is half the fun. Let your child help design stations and test them during setup.

Start with easier versions of each station and adjust. Lower the crawl rope, move the jump noodles closer, widen the balance surface.

The timer transforms this from "playing in the backyard" to a real challenge. Kids become intensely motivated when a clock is running.

Invite friends for a ninja tournament. Multiple kids running the same course creates natural competition and encouragement.

Leave the course up for a week. Kids will run it every day and their times will drop dramatically, which teaches them about practice and improvement.