The week before Halloween is pure energy. Costumes, candy talk, and a lot of kids who can't sit still. If the weather isn't cooperating, an indoor obstacle course is my favorite way to channel all of it.

This one is Halloween-themed but not scary. Six simple stations, most using things you already have, and a few that get even better with balance toys.

1 Set Up Your Space

• Clear an area in the living room or playroom.
• Put everything on a rug, carpet, or foam play mats.
• Leave 2 to 3 feet of space around each station.
• Lay it out as a loop so kids can go around again (and again).

2 Six Halloween Stations

1. The Spider Cave. Drape a blanket over the Climbing Arch and hang a few paper spiders inside. Kids crawl through the "cave" to start the course.

2. The Monster Climb. Pull the blanket off and let kids climb up and over the arch using the handles, like a monster heading home to its cave.

• 3. The Pumpkin Patch Path. Set up the Balance Beam in a zigzag and place mini pumpkins on the floor beside it. Kids walk the beam, then pick up one pumpkin at the end and carry it to the next station.
• 4. Monster Stomp. Line up couch cushions or pillows and stomp across them like a big, heavy monster.
• 5. Ghost Toss. Toss beanbags or balled-up socks ("ghosts") into a bucket or basket from a tape line on the floor.
• 6. The Haunted Road Home. Add our Road Stickers to the Balance Beam and let kids walk it (or drive a toy car along it) back to the start.

3 Let Them Build It, Too

This is my favorite part.

Building the course is half the fun.

The Balance Beam comes apart and snaps back together without tools, so kids can design the course themselves: straight lines, zigzags, L-shapes, squares.

One mom told us her toddler plays with it every day and builds her own little obstacle courses. It's great problem-solving practice, and we wrote about why in The Balance Beam Is a STEM Toy.

4 Costume Safety Tips for Movement Play

Costumes and climbing don't always mix. Before your little one runs the course:

• Take off masks, hats that cover the eyes, and anything long that could trip them.
• Go barefoot for the best grip on the beam and arch.
• Save capes and wings for the end-of-course parade.

5 Keep It Going All Fall

Once Halloween is over, swap the theme: a forest adventure, a construction site, or a road trip with the Road Stickers. The same pieces make a new course every week, and when you're done, the Balance Beam slides under the couch.

The Balance Beam at a glance:

• 4-beam set (about 8 feet) or 6-beam set (about 10 feet)
• Each beam 23¼" long × 4" wide
• Snaps together without tools, so kids can build it themselves
• Ages 12 months to 8 years, up to 100 lbs
• Stores flat under a couch or bed

The Climbing Arch at a glance:

• 36" long × 26" wide × 18" high, with nine thick hardwood handles
• For little climbers from about 10 months, up to 100 lbs
• Works as a climber, tunnel, fort, or reading nook

The Balance Beam

Build it, walk it, change it, do it again. Handcrafted in the USA.

Shop The Balance Beam — from $169 →

The Climbing Arch

Climb it, crawl through it, turn it into a fort.

Shop The Climbing Arch — $229 →

The Bottom Line

An indoor Halloween obstacle course is one of the easiest ways to turn pre-holiday energy into something fun. Set up a loop, add a spooky (not scary) theme, let your toddler help build it, and watch them go around a dozen times.

Quick Answers

Nikki Benbenek is the co-founder of Blueberry and Third, a Montessori-inspired children's furniture company handcrafted in the USA. Questions? Reach us at hello@blueberryandthird.com.