Backyard obstacle course tournament

Nov 271 min read

We've been doing these for a few months now with the neighborhood kids and it's gotten weirdly competitive. We time them, keep a running scoreboard, have different courses every week. My 8yo has gotten FAST. He's also learned how to lose gracefully which I wasn't expecting as a bonus.

All we use is pool noodles, cones, some old tires, a rope, and the existing stuff in our yards. Cost almost nothing but the kids are outside, tired, and having actual fun instead of fighting. Might be the best weekend decision I've made.

11 comments394 views

Comments(11)

GGene K.Regularjust now

How many kids are usually participating? Seems like timing the runs would get complicated with more than like 6-8 kids.

SSteve C.Regular13h ago

Keep this going. Seriously. Kids need low-pressure competition where winning/losing doesn't mean anything except bragging rights. This is perfect for that.

DDustin P.New Dad14h ago

"Learned how to lose gracefully" is something tons of structured sports don't even teach. The fact that he got FAST is just the bonus benefit. You're onto something here.

DDanny G.Regular13h ago

Dude I'm stealing this idea. My neighborhood has like 8 kids in similar age range and they're always bored. This could actually be the move.

LLarry P.Regular4h ago

Wait you cut off mid-sentence - 'All we use is' what? I need to know what materials because this sounds like something I want to do.

CClint R.Regular1d ago

It took a few weeks of him being upset but honestly watching other kids handle it better than him motivated him to chill out. Peer pressure in a good way.

RRob K.Regularjust now

We typically get 4-6. Any more than that and it becomes a whole event. Still doable but gets chaotic.

TTom R.Regularjust now

The losing gracefully thing is gold. So many kids his age spiral when they don't win. Does he just accept it or is there a moment where you have to talk him down?

SSean A.Regularjust now

This is genuinely brilliant. Kids learn competition, how to handle losing, plus they burn energy. "Learned how to lose gracefully" might be the best accidental parenting win ever. What kind of obstacles are we talking - DIY or backyard equipment?

JJerome S.Regularjust now

This is legitimately amazing parenting. You're building community AND teaching competition AND sportsmanship without it feeling like a lesson.

FFred J.Regularjust now

We do this too and honestly it's filled a gap that screen time used to fill. The kids talk about the tournaments more than anything else. We use: cones, hula hoops, a pool noodle to jump over, boxes to climb. Costs like $40 total.