Watching baby hit her milestones — and having fun at the same time — warms any parent's heart. By setting up an indoor or outdoor obstacle course, you provide the perfect opportunity to get your little one busy, moving, and giggling all the way.
We found 8 clever courses you'll totally want to replicate at home. Many are made from materials you probably already own, and they'll provide plenty of entertainment for crawler or walker — and for you as you watch them adorably navigate your DIY designs!
Image via developingthewholechild.com
Simple Course With Pillows
To set up this Simple Obstacle Course in your living room, you've already got everything you need! Using pillows and blankets, you can make a soft and safe course for your toddler to enjoy. Jamie at Hands On As We Grow used a few favorite balls to give her little guy something toward crawl toward. Adorable!
More from CafeMom: Baby Milestones: Red Flags in a Child's Development or Bragging Rights for Competitive Moms?
Pool Noodle Obstacle Course
This Pool Noodle Obstacle Course is colorful and easy to set up. Barbecue skewers are the secret to holding those noodles in place, explains Raman at Developing the Whole Child.
Mini Mountain Range
Nadia at Teach Me Mommy came up with this Mini Mountain Range using pillows and blankets, towels, and a tablecloth. She explains that she included "different textures to enhance the learning experience."
Lair of the Spider Queen
It might look like baby is entering a car wash here, but get beyond those hanging white streamers and you'll find an Obstacle Course filled with toy spiders. Erin at Chicken Babies came up with this spooky fun activity.
Colorful Obstacle Course
Little ones will enjoy making their way through multi-colored stepping stones (made of paper plates) to find themselves swimming through a sea of tissue paper in this Colorful Obstacle Course, created by Mama P of The Golden Gleam.
Indoor Obstacle Course
Jana of How to Run a Home Daycare used toy storage bins, a little slide, and mini trampoline to create this fabulous Indoor Obstacle Course.
More from CafeMom: QUIZ: Baby's 1st-Year Milestones: How Well Do You Know the Norm?
Outdoor Obstacle Course
Allison of Learn Play Imagine says she enjoys setting up Backyard Obstacle Courses weekly for her children, especially when they're having play dates. We love how she's re-purposed both indoor and outdoor items to create this colorful course.
Tunnel & Raft Obstacle Course
Lauren of Crumbbuns created this Obstacle Course to beat the rainy day blues. On other side of this tunnel is a life raft in the form of a pillow, which leads to more wonderful imagination-filled play.