Getting kids active and engaged in outdoor play is a priority for many parents, and backyard ninja obstacle courses offer the perfect solution. These kits transform any yard into a thrilling training ground, encouraging physical fitness, balance, and confidence. With so many options available, from simple slacklines to elaborate multi-obstacle courses, finding the right one can be a challenge.
This roundup features eight of the best backyard ninja courses designed for various ages and skill levels. Whether you’re looking for a starter kit for younger children or a challenging course for aspiring warriors, there’s an option here to spark hours of active fun and help build strength and coordination in a exciting way.
Our Top Picks for Backyard Ninja Courses
- Slackers Ninjaline – 36′ Intro Kit with 7 Attachments
- Double Slackline Obstacle Course – 110 Ft with Rickety Bridge
- Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course with 10 Complete Accessories
- Gentle Booms Sports Climbing Cargo Net for Kids
- GCCSJ 65FT Ninja Course with 12 Obstacle Accessories
- Sportspower My 1st Toddler Swing with Safety Harness
- NinjaMaster 14-Piece Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course Kit
- GoSports Ninja Slackline Kit with Monkey Bars and Rings
Slackers Ninjaline – 36′ Intro Kit with 7 Attachments
The Slackers Ninjaline Intro Kit is an excellent starting point for creating a backyard ninja course. Designed for children ages 5 and up, this 36-foot line comes with seven different hanging attachments to provide a variety of challenges. Its focus is on getting kids playing in the air, promoting active fun that builds balance and coordination.
Setting up this course is straightforward. The versatile design allows you to easily hang it between two sturdy trees or posts. Slackers emphasizes quality, using durable materials tested for strength to ensure the equipment can handle active play. This kit offers a convenient and portable way to establish a fun backyard gym without a permanent installation.
Double Slackline Obstacle Course – 110 Ft with Rickety Bridge
This Double Slackline Obstacle Course stands out with its patented two-line design. The dual lines provide greater support and stability compared to single-line courses, reducing sag and recoil when a child dismounts an obstacle. This feature makes the course more manageable and less intimidating for beginners while still offering a fun challenge.
Included in the Ultimate Warrior Set is a unique Rickety Bridge attachment, along with monkey bars that hang perpendicular to the course. The kit is fully adjustable, with buckles that let you customize the position and order of obstacles. With a 110-foot line, it can span trees up to 50 feet apart, offering flexibility for different yard sizes.
Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course with 10 Complete Accessories
This comprehensive kit is designed to create a complete ninja training experience with two 50-foot lines and ten different accessories. It includes a swing, rope ladder, gymnastic rings, a climbing net, an arm trainer, and monkey fists, providing a wide range of activities to test various skills. It’s built for children over 4 years old to encourage outdoor activity.
A significant benefit of this set is its adjustable obstacle distance. The obstacles are not fixed in place, allowing you to move them to any distance apart and arrange them in any order. This creates endless possibilities to customize the course, making it easier for younger users or more challenging for experienced ones. The manufacturer provides clear safety warnings for proper assembly and care to ensure long-term use.
Gentle Booms Sports Climbing Cargo Net for Kids
The Gentle Booms Climbing Cargo Net is a perfect standalone obstacle or addition to an existing course. Measuring approximately 3.8 by 4.4 feet with a small grid, it is designed for children to grip easily. Made from heavy-duty, high-strength polyester, it is built to be safe and durable for active play.
This net is excellent for developing upper-body strength, coordination, and balance. It can be used to access a treehouse, as part of a larger obstacle course, or simply as a fun climbing challenge. With a maximum weight capacity of 600 pounds, it is robust enough for multiple children to use at once. Its eye-catching colors help draw children to this beneficial physical activity.
GCCSJ 65FT Ninja Course with 12 Obstacle Accessories
For a ninja course with extensive options, the GCCSJ kit includes 12 sets of accessories across seven different obstacle types. You’ll find a wooden ladder, soft board swing, climbing net, triangle pull rings, gymnastic rings, monkey bars, and monkey balls. This variety helps maintain children’s interest and provides a comprehensive physical challenge.
Similar to other top kits, all obstacles on this 65-foot line can be adjusted to any distance and in any order. This adjustability keeps the course feeling new and allows it to grow with your child’s abilities. Safety is highlighted with a heavy-duty ratchet system and reinforced buckles, supporting up to 440 pounds, which means adults can join in the fun or assist.
Sportspower My 1st Toddler Swing with Safety Harness
While not a full obstacle course, the Sportspower My 1st Toddler Swing is a wonderful introductory piece for younger children. Designed for infants and toddlers from 9 to 36 months old, it features a crucial safety harness to keep little ones secure while they enjoy the motion of swinging.
Constructed with sturdy, powder-coated steel, this swing is durable enough for regular use. Its greatest advantage is portability; it folds down for easy storage and transport, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor play. It’s an ideal way to introduce very young children to safe, suspended play before they graduate to more complex ninja obstacles.
NinjaMaster 14-Piece Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course Kit
The NinjaMaster 14-Piece Kit offers a substantial set for building a varied backyard course. As the name suggests, it includes fourteen pieces, which likely provides a good mix of obstacles for climbing, swinging, and traversing. These kits are generally designed to offer a complete ninja warrior experience in one purchase.
Such comprehensive sets allow for a high degree of customization in your backyard setup. You can space out the obstacles to create a long course or cluster them for focused skill stations. When considering a kit of this size, it’s important to ensure you have adequate space between two strong anchor points, like trees or posts, to set up the main line and fully utilize all the components.
GoSports Ninja Slackline Kit with Monkey Bars and Rings
GoSports is known for quality sports equipment, and their Ninja Slackline Kit follows that reputation. This kit focuses on key ninja obstacles: monkey bars and rings. These elements are fundamental for building upper body and grip strength, making this a great choice for focused training or a simpler course setup.
The inclusion of both monkey bars and rings provides two distinct challenges on one line. The monkey bars test grip and coordination for traversing, while the rings allow for swinging and stability exercises. A kit from a brand like GoSports typically emphasizes durable construction and user-friendly setup for reliable family fun.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Backyard Ninja Obstacle Course for Kids
As a parent, I know picking the right backyard ninja obstacle course for kids can feel like a big decision. You want something that’s fun, safe, and will last more than one season. After looking at a ton of options and talking to other parents, I’ve figured out a few key things you should keep in mind before you buy.
First, think about space and setup. I measured my backyard twice before even browsing. You need to know not just the footprint of the course, but also the clearance needed for swings and ropes. Some sets are compact and fit neatly in a corner, while others are sprawling affairs that become a backyard centerpiece. Also, check how it’s anchored. Stability is non-negotiable. Look for courses with sturdy, ground-anchor systems, especially for anything with a climbing rope or hanging rings that will get a lot of dynamic force.
Next, consider the material and durability. Most frames are either powder-coated steel or durable wood. Steel is strong and often more affordable, but it can get hot in the sun. Wood blends beautifully into a yard but requires more maintenance. For the obstacles themselves, look for UV-resistant ropes, commercial-grade nylon webbing, and solid plastic or wooden components. I always check the weight limit, not just for my child now, but for a few years down the road, and maybe even for myself trying it out!
Finally, focus on adaptability and growth. The best backyard ninja obstacle courses for kids have a modular design. Can you easily adjust the height of a bar or the tension on a slackline? Are there attachment points for adding new obstacles later? A course that can grow with your child’s skills will provide endless fun and challenge, moving from simple ladder climbs to complex traverses. Don’t forget to look at the landing zone—a thick layer of mulch, rubber chips, or safety mats is a must-have investment to go along with your new course.
FAQ
What age are these backyard obstacle courses appropriate for?
Most sets are designed for kids ages 3 and up, but it really depends on the specific course. Simpler courses with lower climbing walls and easy-to-grip steps are great for preschoolers. More complex setups with higher ropes and demanding upper-body obstacles are better for kids 6 or 7 and older. Always check the manufacturer’s age and weight recommendations closely.
How difficult is the assembly?
Assembly can range from moderate to a major project. Many all-in-one kits come with clear instructions and can be put together by two adults in an afternoon. However, some larger or more professional-style sets might feel like building a playset. I recommend reading recent customer reviews specifically about assembly—they often give the real, unfiltered time estimate and difficulty level.
Are they safe? What about injuries?
While no physical activity is 100% risk-free, these courses are built with safety in mind. The key is proper installation on level ground, secure anchoring, and maintaining a good “crash zone” with appropriate ground cover like mulch or mats. Supervision is crucial, especially for younger kids. Teaching them how to fall properly and setting rules (like no pushing) goes a long way in preventing the most common backyard ninja obstacle courses for kids injuries, which are usually just minor scrapes and bruises.
Can the weather damage the course?
Yes, weather is a factor. Most metal and plastic components are weather-resistant, but not indestructible. Prolonged sun exposure can weaken ropes over many years. If you live in an area with harsh winters, some manufacturers recommend taking down certain elements or covering connection points. Wooden components will need occasional sealing or staining. Checking the care instructions before you buy can save you headaches later.
Can I add to or customize the course later?
This is a huge plus for many sets! Look for frames with multiple attachment points or systems that are part of a larger brand ecosystem. You can often buy individual obstacles like a new climbing net, a different style of swing, or a traverse wall panel separately to swap out or add on. This keeps the play fresh and challenging as your kids get stronger and more confident.