Playtime Compass LogoPlaytime Compass
Back to library
A toddler crawling over couch cushions and heading under a low table while a grown-up kneels nearby in a living room.
Gross motorOT-adjacent supportNavigate PathIndoor

Cushion Obstacle Course.

Turn cushions, pillows, and a stable table into a three-part indoor obstacle course. Your toddler goes over, around, and under the route, practicing gross motor coordination and strength with each trip.

Play time
5-10+ min
Age
1-3 years
Energy
High
Mess
Low
Effort
Low
Where
Indoor
Start here

The recipe.

Low parent effort
4 things

What you need

  • 2 or 3 couch cushions
  • 1 or 2 pillows
  • 1 stable table
  • 1 open floor space
5 min minimum

Setup

Then start the loop
Step 01
Place two or three couch cushions on a non-slip floor in a short row with their edges close together.
Step 02
Place one or two pillows after the cushions, blocking part of the route while leaving a clear path around one side.
Step 03
Finish the route with a stable table that has enough space underneath for your child to crawl through and a clear entrance and exit.
"Here we go."
The loop

How play unfolds.

Four panels showing cushions and pillows set on the floor, a grown-up pointing through the path, a toddler going over cushions and around pillows, and the toddler crawling under a table before starting again.
  1. 01
    Point along the route and say, "Over, around, under."
  2. 02
    Have your child go over the cushions, around the pillows, and under the table.
  3. 03
    After your child crawls out, have them return around the outside of the course to the start.
  4. 04
    Repeat the same route.

Safety Check

  • Stay with your child the whole time.
  • Use only a stable table and floor-level cushions or pillows.
  • Stop if the course turns into jumping from furniture height, diving, or rough crashing.
  • Shorten the route if your child keeps getting stuck at one obstacle or moving too fast to stay safe.
Skill spotlight
Navigate Path

Navigating a short whole-body obstacle path

This helps a child coordinate the body across changing floor levels and simple obstacle positions while staying with one short movement sequence from start to finish.

  • •The route gives your child a clear whole-body job with a visible start, finish, and repeat.
  • •Going over, around, and under the same path helps your child practice changing body position on purpose.
  • •The short repeat loop keeps the movement active without needing lots of words or new setup each round.
Real-world transfer
  • Moving through cushions, furniture gaps, and play spaces with more body control.
  • Handling simple over, around, and under movement jobs during everyday play.
  • Staying with a short active routine from beginning to end.
Supporting the play

What to say in the moment

Match what you say to what you see.

Prompt ladder
Level 1 (Start)
"Over, around, under."
Level 2 (Keep going)
"Back to the start."
Level 3 (Stretch)
"Can you do the whole path again?"
Level 4 (Extend)
"Let's make one more trip."
If your child seems...
What you'd see
Focused
What to do
Say
"You know the path."
Add
Point to the next obstacle only when your child needs it.
Extend
Pause at the end and let your child turn back toward the start before you cue the next round.

Make it easier

Younger end
  • -Keep the route in a straight line.
  • -Use only one pillow to go around.
  • -Accept walking around the whole route before asking for crawling or climbing.

Make it harder

Older end
  • +Add one more cushion after the child is finishing the short route smoothly.
  • +Ask your child to pause for one second before going under the table.
  • +Let your child lead the return to the start without your pointing.

If it's not working

If you see
If child ignores it
Go through the route yourself once, then stop at the end and invite your child to try.
If you see
If child misuses it
Reduce the course to one cushion, one pillow, and the table so the path is easier to follow.
If you see
If child gets frustrated
Count one obstacle at a time as success and guide your child straight to the next part.

Parent questions

Back to library
Keep playing

Related activities.