The Two-Path Obstacle Course
Children go through an obstacle course where every station has two paths shown on picture cards, and each child picks the one they want or can do. It builds traveling, jumping, balance and throwing skills, and making decisions about one's own body.
How to play
- Walk the course together while the teacher shows the two cards at each station: climb the bench or pass beside it touching it, jump into the hoops or walk between them, weave the cones on foot or in a wheelchair, roll on the mat or scoot across it, throw into the bucket standing or sitting (3 min).
- First round: at each station, look at the cards, choose a path and go through (4 min).
- Second round: if we want, try the other path (3 min).
- In pairs: each child does their own path and we wait for each other at the end of the station for a high five (4 min).
- Sitting by the cards, point to the one we liked best and say why (2 min).
Rules
- Both paths are equally good.
- I wait for the child ahead to finish the station.
- I can switch paths whenever I want.
- At the end of each station, I check if someone's coming.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, three stations, and the teacher walks the first round holding hands with anyone who needs it.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, five stations and a second round trying the other path.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, each child decides before starting which paths they'll take and checks at the end.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: one of the two paths at every station can always be done in a wheelchair (cones spaced more than 3 feet apart, seated throwing, passing beside the bench).
- Autism: show the course beforehand in a photo or poster, with the order of stations and a "finished" card.
- Blind or low vision: a rope on the ground connects the stations and a buddy describes each path.
Learning goals
- Practice traveling, jumping, balancing and throwing.
- Choose the movement option that fits their abilities.
- Respect others' pace and turns.
Equipment for a class of 25
- benches: 2
- mats: 4
- hoops: 8
- cones: 10
- beanbags: 10
- buckets: 2
- picture cards: 10
Teacher tip
Place each station's two cards at the eye level of a seated child, not on the floor. Insist that there's no "easy" path, just two different ones, and do both yourself in front of them.
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