- Obstacle course racing for kids is a great way to engage them in active play and encourage them to get dirty, make friends, and have fun.
- Kids can learn a number of positive life lessons through OCR like not giving up and working well with a team.
- From cardiovascular endurance to a healthy attitude for taking on challenges, there is a wide range of benefits kids can draw from trying out OCR.
Obstacle course racing is the kind of activity that tends to bring out everyone’s inner child. So it only makes sense that OCR events can be a world of fun for kids, too. They may not be ready to take on the “grown up versions” like theTough Mudder or Spartan Trifecta, but there are many OCR courses and classes specially made for children. From scaling walls to climbing ropes, the next generation of obstacle course racers can start training before they even graduate from elementary school, and they have a lot of good stuff to gain from it.
Here's more reasons why your kids should try obstacle course race training according to Coach Sarah Lim, Pretty Huge Obstacles' Youth Program Director.
It’s good for their health
This is one of the reasons why many adults get involved in obstacle course racing, and it applies to kids just the same. OCR builds muscle strength, endurance, balance, and coordination. It doesn’t matter whether your kid has a flair for sports, or it’s their first time to do anything more physically demanding than riding the seesaw. Even if they don’t finish all the obstacles successfully, the movement called for by OCR will get their blood pumping and lungs working.
The youngsters need some form of regular physical activity. It’s a vital component of their growth and development. Active play isn’t just good for their bodies; it also helps them connect with people around them. Starting kids on an active lifestyle while they’re young is the first step to a lifelong habit. Children with good habits are far less likely to be obese later in life, and therefore less prone to the physical and mental health problems that often accompany obesity.
Personal trainer Brett Klika summarizes it: “Exercise and frequent activity for kids is critical to their ability to develop into happy, healthy, active adults.” Aside from preventing obesity, there is a long list of positive effects that physical activity has on children. For one, active kids usually score higher in math and reading tests. Studies show that rigorous activity increases the neural connections in the brain and helps develop vital brain structures. They are less likely to have symptoms of depression and anxiety, too, even in childhood. Klika also mentions that the development of the body and the brain goes hand-in-hand. It’s crucial to start forging that connection at a young age.
They get to make new friends
OCR is also a great opportunity to improve kids’ social health. They’ll learn a wealth of skills from doing OCR that will make socializing easier in other venues, like at school. Socializing and interacting with other children are fantastic ways for them to learn how to share, how to set boundaries, and how to solve problems. Doing these teaches them empathy, too, and improves their ability to recognize when other people are happy, sad, or angry.
Even at a very young age, your child matures a bit with every experience. OCR gives kids an avenue to learn about taking care of their bodies and their friendships at the same time, and it’s never too early to start teaching that.
It’s fun
For some kids, the first thing that comes to mind when asked about what they do for fun is console games or mobile games. Those games can be stimulating for the brain, but they don’t really do anything for the body, and kids needs to exercise both.
Getting down and dirty is a lot of fun, and OCR allows kids to do exactly that. They can rough it up outdoors without roughing up each other. After all, OCR can be competitive, but it’s not about fighting. It’s a form of play that helps them develop dexterity as they use their hands, arms, and legs to overcome obstacles. Playing also exercises their language skills, encourages positive self-expression, and lets them bond with friends as they all grow stronger together.
Some other benefits of play are key motor skill development and the understanding of good sportsmanship, both of which they’ll get in spades when they do OCR. They’ll also become more confident and imaginative, all while enjoying themselves and making connections with parents and their own peers. Above all else, whether they finish with flying colors or fumble over some of the obstacles, playing just plain makes kids happy.
It builds character
As cheesy as it sounds, OCR can put your child on the right path to becoming a better version of themselves. There are a lot of life lessons to be learned from OCR and OCR training. It’s a fun, creative outlet that also teaches perseverance and mental hardship. OCR events for kids are designed to suit their size and physical ability, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy. One big takeaway kids can get from the more difficult obstacles is that you won’t always do something well on the first try - and there is no problem with that. It’s just a matter of thinking it over and trying again until you get it right.
Doing OCR is a great venue for kids to learn teamwork, as well. This is important not just in childhood but also in the long run, as they try to become successful adults. Working in a team enhances their communication skills. This includes how to speak articulately and share ideas clearly, and how to listen well to other people, all of which are necessary when working with a group. Teamwork also gives them more self-confidence and a stronger sense of worth. It’s a great feeling to know that your contributions are important, especially for a child. In addition, kids who work well with teams are shown to be less likely to bully other kids, or to tolerate bullying from others. Because they have a sense of respect built on teamwork, they appreciate other kids and see their value. This is backed up by their communication skills, which means they’ll probably try to smooth things over by talking it out instead of throwing punches.
They can learn in a safe but challenging environment
As with any physical activity, someone can get injured if OCR is not performed properly, or if the equipment or obstacles are used in the wrong way. However, as long as kids have the guidance they need from experienced adults, they can get through the course completely free from injury. They just need to concentrate and follow their trainer and they’ll be little pros in no time.
Challenges are a part of life, and they don’t necessarily have to be stressful. School’s sports programs are created around the idea that “everyone is a winner”, and that’s a good message for kids’ self-esteem, but it doesn’t expose them to the concept of failure. Children need to understand failure, and more importantly, they need to understand that there’s no shame in it, because from failure, we make progress. It’s a pretty huge concept to digest at such a young age, but OCR is one channel where kids understand it in a practical way. If they don’t make it over the wall on their first try, it’s good for them to know that no one thinks less of them because of it, and there is nothing wrong with asking for help next time.
Introducing children to obstacle course racing gives them an outlet to play, learn, and meet new friends. It can be a weekend group activity for your child and their siblings and cousins, or a productive way to spend their whole summer vacation. Any way you do it, they’re sure to have a blast and pick up some new skills, or just enhance the ones they already have.
Overcoming obstacles develops strategic thinking, strengthens their muscles, and lets them bond with their teammates as they help each other cross the finish line. There’s a good chance they won’t be in a rush to go back to their phones or tablets once they’re hooked on OCR!