Seed to Harvest Obstacle Course

A course through the garden tells a plant's life story: sprouting from the seed tray, crossing furrows, going through the greenhouse, walking the edge of the bed, and picking the fruit. Weaving, jumping, crawling, balancing, and carrying are combined in one route.

How to play

1. Set up the course and walk it together while explaining each stop: seed tray, beds, furrows, greenhouse, bed edge, fruit tree, and basket (3 min).
2. First section, one at a time with space between: start in the seed tray curled up and grow tall, zigzag around cone beds, and jump with feet together over the rope furrows (3 min).
3. Second section: crawl through the greenhouse (sheet over chairs) and walk along the bench as the edge of the bed, with the teacher beside it (3 min).
4. Arrive at the fruit tree: pick a ball-fruit from the hoop and carry it to the harvest basket (2 min).
5. Free laps on the now-familiar course, each child at their own pace, waiting for their turn on the bench (3 min).
6. Admire the full basket together and put the fruit back on the tree (1 min).

Rules

• The course always goes the same way, following the arrows.
• One gardener at a time on the bench and in the greenhouse.
• No passing: if someone is slow, we wait.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: set up a parallel route with ramps and wider-spaced cones; the greenhouse sheet is lifted to pass under.
• Visual impairment: a buddy guides by the hand and names each station; use thick ropes that can be felt underfoot.
• Autism: post photos of each station in order on a sign at the start of the course.

Learning goals

• Link different movement skills in one course.
• Remember the order of the stations.
• Connect the course to a plant's life cycle.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Cones: 8
• Jump ropes: 4
• Chairs: 4
• Large sheet: 1
• Low balance bench: 1
• Hula hoops: 2
• Balls: 25
• Basket: 1

Teacher tip

If you have a garden, use the real paths between beds for the zigzag and set the rest of the course alongside. Put the start far from the finish so kids don't cross paths.

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