Building a Backyard Parkour Course for Kids

As the days get shorter and the air gets crispier, keeping your little bundles of energy entertained can become a challenge. The backyard swing set might have lost its luster, and you’ve grown weary of rescuing the furniture from the clutches of “hot lava” for the hundredth time.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if your kids could have fun, stay active, and maybe even learn a thing or two, all while you steal a few precious moments for yourself? This fall, why not transform your backyard into a thrilling parkour playground? It’s easier and more affordable than you might think. Imagine the joy of watching your kids leap, climb, and conquer obstacles they built with their own two hands!

What is Parkour and Why Is It Good for Kids?

Parkour is like a dance between movement and environment, where everyday obstacles become exciting challenges. It’s all about finding creative ways to navigate your surroundings using running, jumping, climbing, vaulting, and even rolling.

Originating in France in the 1980s, parkour’s popularity soared thanks to captivating viral videos. While often seen in urban settings, providing your kids with a safe and controlled environment to explore this exhilarating activity is paramount. That’s where a backyard parkour course comes in!

But parkour isn’t just about fun and games. It offers a wealth of physical and mental benefits for children:

• Enhanced Balance and Coordination: Remember those adorable, yet slightly terrifying, moments of your kids scaling furniture like tiny adventurers? Parkour helps them channel that natural instinct, improving their balance and coordination, which can prevent future injuries.

• Increased Strength and Flexibility: Parkour engages various muscle groups, helping kids build strength, flexibility, and overall fitness. It’s like a dynamic playground workout disguised as fun!

• Boosted Problem-Solving Skills: Navigating obstacles requires planning, strategy, and quick thinking. Parkour encourages kids to analyze their surroundings, strategize their movements, and adapt to challenges, fostering valuable problem-solving abilities.

• Skyrocketing Self-Confidence: The sense of accomplishment that comes from conquering a challenging obstacle course is unmatched. Parkour empowers children with self-belief and a “can-do” attitude that extends beyond the backyard.

Creating Your DIY Backyard Parkour Oasis

Ready to bring the excitement of parkour home? The beauty of a DIY parkour course is that it can be as simple or as elaborate as you desire, and you can tailor it to your children’s age and skill levels.

Before diving into the construction, remember safety first! Ensure a soft landing zone for jumps and dismounts with outdoor play mats or repurposed gym mats. Pool noodles are excellent for padding poles and edges, providing an extra layer of protection.

Here are a couple of easy-to-build obstacle ideas to get you started:

1. Pool Noodle Hurdles

Pool noodle hurdles are incredibly versatile and simple to make. Kids can even get involved in the building process, adding to the fun!

Materials You’ll Need:

• 4-6 baskets or buckets of varying sizes (pair them up according to size)
• Pool noodles (one for each pair of baskets)
• Duct tape

How to Build:

1. Pair up the baskets or buckets based on size. For instance, use two identical trash cans for taller hurdles and two laundry baskets for smaller ones.
2. Securely attach a pool noodle to the bottom of each basket using duct tape, creating a safe and forgiving hurdle top.
3. Let your kids arrange the hurdles at varying distances, creating their own customized parkour challenge.

2. Balance Beams

Balance beams are fantastic for improving balance and coordination, essential skills for parkour and everyday life.

Materials You’ll Need:

• 2-3 pieces of 2×4 wood (length can vary depending on desired beam length)
• A screw gun
• 10 3-inch wood screws

Optional: For a more challenging beam, substitute one of the wood planks with a bathroom-style ADA grab bar.

How to Build:

1. Position one wood plank or the ADA grab bar perpendicular to the two 2×4 pieces, forming an “H” shape.
2. Use the screw gun and wood screws to securely attach the plank or grab bar to the 2×4 supports.
3. If you want a taller beam, stack another set of 2x4s beneath the existing ones and screw them together for added height.

3. Dome Climber

A dome climber is a fantastic addition to any backyard playground, offering a world of climbing, hanging, and imaginative play possibilities.

While DIY options exist, for safety and durability, consider purchasing a pre-fabricated dome climber and assembling it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Recommendation: The Easy Outdoor Space Dome Climber is highly rated and praised for its sturdiness and play value.

Keeping the Parkour Spirit Alive Year-Round

A backyard parkour course is a fantastic way to keep kids active and engaged, but what happens when the weather turns chilly? Don’t let the fun stop there! Indoor parkour gyms and classes are gaining popularity, providing a safe and supervised environment for kids to explore this exciting activity year-round.

Recommendation: Consider enrolling your kids in a reputable NinjaZone! Class. These classes offer a structured and progressive approach to parkour, taught by experienced instructors who prioritize safety and fun.

Ignite the Parkour Flame!

Building a backyard parkour course is more than just creating an obstacle course; it’s about fostering a sense of adventure, promoting physical activity, and empowering kids to push their limits in a safe and encouraging environment.

So gather your materials, unleash your creativity, and get ready to witness the joy and exhilaration of parkour firsthand, right in your own backyard!

Looking for more creative ways to inspire your little artists? Explore the world of handmade crafts and DIY projects on Robert Kline Art. We’ve got plenty of ideas to keep those creative sparks flying!