Partner Obstacle Course Team Race
Set up an obstacle course that requires two people to complete — holding hands, carrying objects together, and communicating to finish.
What You'll Need
- 1Pillows or cushions
- 2Play tunnel or large boxes
- 3Cones or bottles for zigzag
- 4Plastic cups for stacking
- 5Ball for carrying challenge
What You'll Need
Pillows or cushions for stepping obstacles
A play tunnel or large boxes to crawl through
Cones or water bottles for zigzagging
Plastic cups for a stacking challenge
A ball for the partner carry
How to Play
Set up 5-6 obstacle stations in a line across the yard or living room.
Explain: "This course is for teams! You have to do every station with your partner."
Station 1: Hold hands and step over a line of pillows without letting go.
Station 2: Carry a ball between your bodies (no hands!) from one cone to the next.
Station 3: Take turns — one person does the obstacle while the partner cheers them on.
Station 4: Stack 10 cups together into a tower before moving on.
Cross the finish line holding hands. High-five! Swap partners and run again.
Why It Works
Solo obstacle courses build physical skills. Partner obstacle courses build social skills on top of them. When two people have to hold hands over pillows, they have to match pace and communicate. Carrying a ball between bodies requires constant physical coordination with another person. The cheering station builds supportive behavior. Every element requires something different socially — cooperation, patience, encouragement, shared problem-solving.
Tips
Keep it non-competitive at first. Time the team, not teams against each other.
Pair older and younger kids together. The older child naturally takes on a leadership and helping role.
Let kids help design the obstacles. When they build the course, they're invested in running it.
Add a three-legged-race element (tie one ankle loosely with a scarf) for an advanced communication challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 25 min, with 10 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: pillows or cushions, play tunnel or large boxes, cones or bottles for zigzag, plastic cups for stacking, ball for carrying challenge.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 4-6 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors or outdoors?
This activity works great both indoors and outdoors, giving you flexibility based on the weather or your space.
How difficult is this activity?
This activity has a moderate difficulty level. It may require some preparation or guidance, but is manageable for most families.
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