This week we’re featuring a variation on our obstacle course. Cone Crazy Obstacle Course will allow your Tiny Trooper to practice their creativity and dribbling skills at the same time. They can also engage in friendly competition with their grown-up or other family member.

For this activity, all you’ll need is a soccer ball and plastic cones. If you don’t have cones, use other items instead- cups, toys, boxes. This activity is meant to be played outside, but if you have a large, open space indoors that will work as well. To begin, set up the cones in a straight line, with about 3-4 feet of space between each cone. Use as many cones as you would like, but 4 will work to begin the activity.

First, review how to dribble with your Tiny Trooper. Remind them that they only use their feet to dribble the ball. Dribbling only uses the inside of the foot, outside of the foot, and tops of the foot (where the velcro or laces are). Big toe should never be used to kick the ball because it makes big kicks. Spend a moment or two practicing dribbling together. If you need a refresher, this video is wonderful!

Once you’ve had a chance to both dribbling, demonstrate how to move through the obstacle course by dribbling forward and then around each cone. Let your Tiny Trooper know that they can go left or right when they come to a cone to go around it, but then they must continue forward. Cheer them on as they complete the obstacle course.

Next, it’s time to bring on the crazy! This time, set up the cones any way you like. Make a large zig zag pattern, put two cones close together and then the next cone much further away. Challenge your Tiny Trooper to complete the Cone Crazy Obstacle course. After a few rounds, let your Tiny Trooper set up the cones and challenge you race through. Let their imagination run wild! A cone where you must bark like a dog while you dribble the ball around it? Another cone where you have to jump two times before continuing to dribble? Yes, please!

We hope you have fun playing this activity. Check out the video below for an example of how to play!

Adaptations & Modifications

• Younger: Use fewer cones for the obstacle course
• Younger: Dribble more slowly to practice foot/eye coordination
• Advanced: Timed races with their grownup through the obstacle course
• Advanced: A different action to be completed at every cone before dribbling to the next.