The best thing about a make-your-own obstacle course is that you can do it indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. This is a perfect way to get the kids (and parents) up and moving while school is out.
Indoor ideas: Carry a ball from one bucket to another, crawl under chairs or tables, carry a loaded backpack up stairs, spin in circles around a bat, jump over a toy ten times, bear crawl through the hall, do three forward rolls. You can get creative depending on what sorts of items are in your house. Be sure to make a goal for the kids such as a time to beat or number of activities to complete.
Outdoor ideas: This would be very easy to do at a park with a playground or even in your backyard if you have interesting toys. Make up a routine of activities to perform and try to do it with the kids. This can include crossing the monkey bars, running up the slide, climbing a rope, carrying a sand bag, doing cartwheels across a field. Use your imagination! Rainey week? Use the mud as part of the course!
Equipment: If you want to make your obstacle courses even more exciting, there are a few items that are cheap and easy to buy that can make this activity even more memorable. Hula hoops make great holes to climb through or jump into. Cones are perfect for sprinting drills and cutting in and out. Pool noodles can be used a javelins. Speed ladders are great additions to teach speed and coordination. You can even construct arches out of PVC piping to jump over or crawl through.
The famous Spartan Races even have a kid obstacle course, if your young ones end up loving this activity. Check it out at http://www.spartankids.com/