# How to work on Jumping and Running Obstacle with your child at home

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-work-on-jumping-and-running-obstacle-with-my-child-at-home
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Build jumping and running-obstacle play at home with cushions, tape and household items — start with two-footed jumps and short dashes, then add turns, stops and small hurdles to grow coordination, balance and movement planning.

*Some of the happiest learning happens on a living-room obstacle course — every jump and dash is your child's brain and body practising together.*

## In short
You can build jumping and running-obstacle play at home with cushions, masking tape and a little imagination — no special kit needed. Start with simple two-footed jumps and short dashes, then layer in turns, stops and small hurdles as your child grows in confidence. These activities strengthen gross-motor coordination, balance, planning and core control, all in a playful way.

## Set up a simple home obstacle course
**Jumping stations**
- Tape "lily pads" (paper plates or chalk circles) on the floor for two-footed jumps from one to the next.
- Lay a skipping rope or pool noodle flat and practise jumping over it; raise it slightly once that's easy.
- Cushion "islands" to hop onto and off — great for landing softly with bent knees.

**Running and weaving**
- Place soft toys or cups in a line to weave around as fast (and safely) as your child likes.
- Mark a start and finish with tape and play "run-and-freeze" — run, then stop dead on a clap to build control.
- Add a tunnel (a draped sheet over two chairs) to crawl through between runs.

**Make it richer**
- Call out colours or animals so they jump to the right spot — this links movement with thinking.
- Time it gently, or count out loud, so they pace themselves rather than racing carelessly.

## Keep it safe and joyful
Clear the floor of hard edges, use a non-slip surface, and stay close for landings and balance work. Keep sessions short (10–15 minutes) and stop while it's still fun — little and often beats long and tiring. Celebrate effort, not just success: "You bent your knees that time!" tells your child exactly what worked. If you notice frequent falls, real difficulty learning a new movement, or your child avoiding active play, it's worth a friendly developmental check.

## The Pinnacle way
A clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care — home play supports development but never replaces assessment. Our therapists can show you how to grade [jumping and running-obstacle](/jumping-and-running-obstacle) games to your child's exact stage, and [occupational therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/best-occupational-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) builds the coordination, planning and confidence behind every jump. Across 70+ centres and 25 million+ therapy sessions, we help families turn everyday play into real progress.

## Trusted sources
Guided by gross-motor and play-based development principles from the American Academy of Pediatrics and its HealthyChildren resource, and the WHO Nurturing Care framework for early childhood development.

**Next step —** for a personalised home-play plan and a clinician-led developmental check, book an AbilityScore® assessment at your nearest Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, or message our team on WhatsApp: +91 91001 81181.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- AAP HealthyChildren — physical activity and gross-motor play: https://www.healthychildren.org
- WHO Nurturing Care Framework for early childhood development: https://nurturing-care.org

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Motor: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/motor
- Find Activities: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/find_activities
- Family Empowerment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/family_empowerment

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