Leo didn’t know what that meant, but he and his best friend, Maya, were about to find out.

The gaps between couch cushions are perfect for simulating deep earth chasms. Drop a few shiny quarters or couch cushions at the bottom. The mission? Zip-line across using a piece of yarn, or climb down to rescue "lost artifacts." 3. Blade-of-Grass Obstacle Course

The undisputed champion for the title is the "Backyard Jungle Trek." To do this right, you need to shrink your scale of reference.

Why does the concept of shrinking hold such a powerful grip on the youth imagination? Psychologists note that children live in a world designed entirely for adults. They are constantly looking up, navigating furniture they cannot easily climb, and following rules set by larger individuals. Reversing the Power Dynamic