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Your Obby Version!

Design and build your own mini obstacle course (obby) using cardboard, tape, cushions, and markers. Test, time yourself, and improve course design.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to design and build your own mini obstacle course (obby)

What you need

Cardboard, tape, cushions or pillows, markers, scissors, adult supervision required

Step 1

Gather all the materials listed and bring them to the play area.

Step 2

Clear a safe open space on the floor so you have room to build and run the course.

Step 3

Use a marker to sketch a simple course layout on a flat piece of cardboard.

Step 4

Cut and fold cardboard to make one obstacle such as a ramp tunnel or bridge.

Step 5

Use tape to secure the cardboard pieces so the obstacle is sturdy.

Step 6

Place cushions to create a soft obstacle like stepping-stones or a soft wall.

Step 7

Decorate each obstacle with bright marker designs.

Step 8

Give each obstacle a silly name and write the name on it with a marker.

Step 9

Mark a clear start and finish on the floor using tape or a marker.

Step 10

Do a slow practice run through the course to learn the layout.

Step 11

Use a timer to do a fast timed trial and write down your time.

Step 12

Change one thing in the course to try to make your time faster.

Step 13

Run another timed trial and write down the new time.

Step 14

Compare your times and decide which change helped the most.

Step 15

Share a photo or video of your finished obby and your best time on DIY.org

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have large cardboard, a marker, or a timer?

Use flattened cereal boxes or folded poster board to cut and fold into a ramp or tunnel, a pencil or crayon instead of a marker, and your phone's built-in timer for the timed trials.

What should we do if an obstacle keeps collapsing or moving during the practice run?

If a cardboard obstacle wobbles or cushions slide, reinforce folds and seams with extra tape, add a folded cardboard brace or heavy book underneath the ramp, and put a non-slip mat or rug under cushions so the obstacle stays sturdy for the timed trial.

How can I adapt the obby for younger toddlers or older kids?

For toddlers, simplify by using only cushion stepping-stones and a low folded cardboard ramp with adult help for cutting and supervision, while older kids can add higher ramps, tighter time goals, and rules like 'no touching cushions' to increase difficulty.

What are fun ways to extend or personalize our obby after the first trials?

Add a theme and bright decorations to each obstacle, write silly names on cardboard signs, create small checkpoint tasks to earn points, attach LED string lights for flair, and keep a chart of best times and which single course change improved performance most to share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to design and build your own mini obstacle course (obby)

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How to Make an Outdoor Obstacle Course

4 Videos

Facts about obstacle course design for kids

🏃‍♂️ Obstacle courses have been used for military and playground training for over 100 years.

🏁 Obstacle course racing (OCR) is a global sport with events like Spartan and Tough Mudder and world championships.

📦 Big cardboard boxes can become tunnels, ramps, and forts — and cardboard is recyclable when you're done!

⏱️ Timing your runs and making small tweaks is real iterative design — tiny changes can shave seconds off your best time.

🛋️ Cushions and pillows make great soft landing zones so your mini obby stays fun and safe.

How do I design and build a mini obstacle course (obby) at home?

Start by sketching a simple layout and choosing a safe indoor or outdoor space. Use cardboard boxes for tunnels, taped strips as stepping-stones, cushions as balance pads, and markers to label stations. Build one obstacle at a time, secure loose pieces with tape, set a clear start and finish, then test by walking the course. Time runs with a stopwatch, note tricky spots, adjust height or spacing, and repeat until it’s fun and safe. Supervise young children.

What materials do I need to make a kids' obby (mini obstacle course)?

You’ll need: cardboard boxes or sheets for tunnels and ramps, strong tape (packing or duct), cushions or pillows for soft landings, markers or paints to decorate, scissors or a box cutter (adult use), a timer or stopwatch, and non-slip rugs or mats. Optional items include chairs and blankets for crawl tunnels, string or cones for boundaries, and small toys as targets. Choose soft, washable materials and avoid sharp or heavy items.

What ages is the DIY obby suitable for?

This activity suits a wide range: toddlers (2–3) can enjoy very simple balance and crawl elements with constant supervision. Preschoolers (3–5) benefit from guided setup and simple timed runs. Elementary kids (6–10) can design, build, and time courses independently, learning problem-solving. Older kids and teens can create complex challenges and team races. Always adapt obstacle height, spacing, and supervision to each child’s coordination and energy level.

What are safety tips and fun variations for a homemade obby?

Keep safety first: clear the area of hard furniture, secure cardboard and tape edges, use cushions for landings, test each obstacle before kids try, supervise young players, and remove choking hazards. For fun variations, try themed courses (jungle, space), relay-team challenges, timed runs with personal bests, blindfold-guided teammates, or include learning stations (counting or spelling tasks) to blend physical and cognitive play.

Ready to create?