history & growth
People always ask how it started. Right after they say, "I've never seen anything like this!" and "You should be on Shark Tank!"
We smile and tell them it all started in 2014.
Matt was teaching fitness classes at a gym and working in the childcare center. The parents loved him! One day, a dad impressed by Matt's connection with the kids, asked him to do a sports-related activity at his block party. Lauren said, "Wouldn't it be fun to build an obstacle course?"
Considering his own love of obstacle races and knowing how much kids love a challenge Matt was intrigued by the idea. After many trips to the hardware store he built a small yet mighty obstacle course right in their driveway. Fast forward and the block party was a huge success. Parents kept asking, "Do you do birthday parties?" "Do you come to schools?" And just like that, founders Matt and Lauren knew they had a business.
Matt and Lauren made the decision to create a portable obstacle course business that would be unique. It would be different from the brick and mortar ninja gyms and offer amazing flexibility and work-life balance. It would be different from the push for computers and technology and focus on unplugged, playful fitness for all ages and abilities. Their decision paid off and after hundreds of thousands of Course Crushers and trips to numerous states they are thrilled to expand and offer ownership opportunities.
Inspired by a block party, emboldened by our clients and fueled by interest from around the country we have an unwavering commitment to the success of our Franchisees and our vision of coast to coast Course Crushing.
Enjoy a scroll down memory lane to learn more about the steadfast and successful growth of
Child's Play Challenge Courses.
2014
BCPCC - Before Child's Play Challenge Courses - Lauren says, "why don't we build an obstacle course?" The Block Party that inspired it all.
2015
Child's Play Challenge Courses is established. We Crush it with birthdays, camps, events, and our proprietary school enrichment program.
2016
The word is out on social media. Our client base expands to include street fairs, festivals and the special needs community.
2017
Floating ninja steps are added. Event offerings expand, including Jr. Police Academy Training. Adults begin to Crush the Course!
2018
Hazard walls and monkey bars are added. We attend camp and event expos. We travel out of state. Clients begin to reach out from across the country.
2019
We work with event companies and corporate clients, including Viacom and American Express. We design team-building activities.
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2020
We Crush the COVID-19 obstacle with our Chalk Challenge Course, virtual classes and pod enrichment. Business was better than ever.
2021
We are recognized by the SBDC for our unwavering response to the pandemic. We appear on WCBS Radio's Small Business Comeback Tour.
2022
We brand our Course Crusher truck and prepare to expand to meet the demand. Franchise opportunities become available!
Video courtesy of WCBS Small Business Comeback Tour with Joe Connolly, sponsored by PSE&G.
