This American Ninja Warrior style back yard obstacle course has been a huge hit with our boys and with the neighbor kids too! I knew that the boys would like this, but I underestimated just how much they would LOVE it! They have been setting up obstacle courses and then doing them over and over and over. Just the active play outlet that we needed!

For awhile, we have been wanting to add more things to play with in the back yard. We live on a busy street, and the boys have been needing more things to do in the back yard rather than the front. However, we didn’t really want to add anything permanent to the yard. We designed an obstacle course set that the boys can set up however they want, and then it can be broken down and stored on the porch when they are finished with it. Total win.

Check the bottom of the post for storage ideas. This whole thing breaks down for storage on the back porch!

American Ninja Warrior Back Yard Obstacle Course for Kids! Build and re-build different ways, and then it packs up for storage.

Our ninja warrior course has five basic obstacles: PVC pipe hurdles (which can also be used to crawl under), wooden stepping stones, sloped stepping stones, and balance beams. We also added three tree stumps that we happen to have on hand. These were something that we brought home when my parents had a tree professionally removed from their yard.

Safety Note: There is an inherent risk in any activity like this. This is intended to be a supervised activity, with adults making sure that the elements of the course are in good condition and that the kids are using good judgment.

Backyard Obstacle Course - American Ninja Warrior Style! Can be rebuilt different ways.

PVC Hurdles

We made the PVC hurdles out of 3/4 inch pipe. Each hurdle needs two T joints and two 90 degree elbows. If you cut some extra pipe sections, the kids can re-build the hurdles at different heights for some variety.

American Ninja Warrior Backyard Obstacle Course

Sloped Pallet Stepping Stones

These sloped stepping stones (built out of pallets) are the kids’ favorite element! We saw this idea on Mom of 6.

Backyard Obstacle Course - American Ninja Warrior Style!

My husband did a little hunting on Craigslist and found someone who was giving away free pallets. The ones he got were all different sizes, so he just made it work! He screwed two 12 inch long 2 x 4 legs on each one. The exact placement of the 2 x 4’s was a little different on each pallet, depending on how it was constructed.

Backyard Obstacle Course

Here’s a view from the underside.

Backyard Obstacle Course

He cut a piece of plywood to fit the top of each pallet and attached it with wood screws. This distributes the kids’ weight when they jump on them and keeps the pallet slats from breaking.

Backyard Obstacle Course

Wood Stepping Stones

The flat stepping stones are just pressure treated wood, 12 inches wide. We cut the boards into 12 x 12 squares and sanded down the edges. Simple, and yet so fun!

American Ninja Warrior Backyard Obstacle Course

Balance Beams

Pressure treated 4 x 4’s make great balance beams. Be careful, though – the beam placed directly on the ground is wobbly, especially for younger kids.

Backyard Obstacle Course - American Ninja Warrior Style!

We put in wood screws at an angle to hold this balance beam together. It’s quite stable.

Backyard Obstacle Course

Then for this one, my husband inserted wood screws up through the bottom of some 2 x 4’s. The three 2 x 4’s are 9 inches long. It made a huge difference and the balance beam is very stable. (Notice the tongue sticking out of his mouth – he does that when he is concentrating!)

Backyard Obstacle Course - American Ninja Style!

Tree Trunks

These are too wobbly for the younger boys, but the older boys have been loving them!

Backyard Obstacle Course

Storage

Surprisingly, this whole set-up breaks down easily for storage. We are keeping ours on the back porch. The PVC hurdles break down completely, and those pieces along with the wood stepping stones fit in this large plastic container.

Backyard Obstacle Course

We stacked the pallets and lined up the balance beams, and the whole thing really does not take up a lot of space on the porch, considering what it is. I’m sure we won’t keep the pallets forever. They will break at some point, and then we can recycle them or put them out on the curb.

American Ninja Warrior Backyard Obstacle Course

Have fun building an obstacle course!

American Ninja Warrior Backyard Obstacle Course

11 Comments

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  1. Ann Mar 30, 2016

    We love to do stuff like this. Thanks for sharing yours!

    Reply
  2. Tracey Apr 1, 2016

    This is so cool!!!! Love it!

    Reply
  3. Joshua Koepp Apr 16, 2016

    Definitely building these this summer. Thanks for the great ideas. Might even help Dad stay in shape a little bit!! Also, so glad I found your website and facebook page. Pretty sure I'll be a regular.

    Reply
  4. Mini Miss Mom Jul 1, 2016

    I love this! This is a must try for my little brothers. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful idea!

    Reply
  5. Sharon from MomOf6 Jul 5, 2016

    Sarah- this is so cool! Glad you found our own backyard course to be inspiring! Our kids love both the show as well as theie own home version!

    Reply
  6. Mikayla Fairchild Jul 10, 2017

    This is super cool!!!!! I tried it. It was sooooo much fun!!!

    Reply
  7. Amber Seyer May 21, 2020

    That is amazing!! Love it!!
    I can't wait to make on for my kids!

    Reply
  8. Lisa Bryant Apr 17, 2022

    Thank you this looks really easy to make and a lot of fun to do!

    Reply
  9. Addi May 20, 2022

    Can't wait to try this with my kids! They will love it!
    Thanks,
    purposefulmama.com

    Reply
  10. Linda Jun 18, 2022

    Thanks, I've been looking for something that I can do without a lot of wood cutting skills. This is perfect!

    Reply
  11. Carrie Jun 20, 2022

    Thank you! My kids enjoyed it!

    Reply

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