Since it’s Occupational Therapy month, BPHT will be sharing words of wisdom from our OT department on some of their favorite tools that you can use at home. First up: Ms. Kelsey on using Obstacle Courses as Sensory Prep.

Obstacle Courses as Sensory Prep

By: Kelsey Klemm, COTA/L

My favorite sensory strategy to get kids ready for seated table work is an obstacle course.

Courses can vary in length, number of steps, and types of equipment used, and they provide multiple types of sensory input. Typically, they include jumping, climbing, crawling, and balancing, and I sometimes add throwing, animal walks, or various swings for more variety. Sometimes, I will have kids carry weighted stuffed animals or medicine balls for more deep pressure (proprioception) input through their joints and muscles.

On top of the sensory input the children receive, obstacle courses also provide an outlet for excess energy. It can sometimes be hard for parents to translate this type of activity at home, because we have so many pieces of equipment here that families do not have available to them. When recommending this type of activity for use at home, I suggest using outdoor play equipment when it is nice outside and designating items in the house when an outdoor space is not available. For inside obstacle courses, I suggest animal walks, tunnels, crawling under chairs and tables, and setting safe boundaries for crawling or climbing over couches or beds.

The great thing about obstacle courses is that you can be as creative as you want! Ask your therapist for more ideas on how to create one at how or check in with your child to see what some of their favorite activities are and include them in the design process.