Toss, Skip and a Jump

Get fit and save the environment all at once with an obstacle course made from recycled objects. These fast and easy ideas will have your kids hopping in no time.

TOSS
Instant target toss

No gluing, no cutting, just fun!

• Get some pie tins and plastic containers from your recycling bin. (The kind that hold yogurt, sour cream and cottage cheese work well.) Make sure they’re clean.
• Get a permanent marker and write different values on the inside bottom of each container.
• Stack the containers inside one another on the ground. (No more than three containers per target are necessary.)

OBSTACLE: Toss a beanbag or a pair of rolled up socks into the targets and add up your score. Increase the challenge by standing farther away after each turn.

SKIP
Pylon people

You’ll never look at plastic bottles the same way again!

• Find some plastic bottles in your recycling bin. (Detergent and juice bottles work well.)
• Let the bottles inspire you to create faces on them. Most bottles have a handle that conveniently looks like a nose. Cut craft foam or constructions paper to look like smiles, frowns, eyes, eyebrows.
• Tape or glue your facial expressions to the bottles. Change the expressions for a different toy every time.

OBSTACLE: Make a path with the pylons and create ways to travel between them. Skip, run, walk, hop or even gallop. For a harder challenge, crabwalk carrying a bean bag on your stomach!

JUMP
Nesting/stacking cans

Different sized tins with lids stack for fun jump challenges, or nest for easy storage.

• Get three cans that will easily fit inside each other when covered in fabric (hot chocolate tins work well).
• Measure scrap fabric so it fits around the can. Try using different fabric for each can.
• Cut fabric and use glue or double-sided tape to secure in place. Let dry.

OBSTACLE: Stack cans on top of each other and jump over them. Try starting with one can and then add the smaller cans to gradually build up the height, keeping safety and ability in mind.

Photographs by: Karen Roberts Photography

Published in March 2011.