Relay Races for Kids

Fun Relay Races for Kids

Need ideas for relay races for kids? Look no further. Here you will find an assortment of relay race activities and ideas to use for any event.

These relay activities are sure to keep kids of all ages having fun and even getting some physical exercise along the way.

Relay races are a great way to teach kids how to be part of a team as well as learning social skills.

THE FOLLOWING GAMES ARE GREAT FOR BOTH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PLAY–as well as parties, themes and Red, White and Blue Days!

Below are relay and races as well as games that use bean bags, eggs, and balloons!

An image with text reading 45 fun relay races for kids. Several different pictures of kids participating in races like a potato sack race, a three-legged race, and a relay race where kids are handing the baton.

RACES & RELAYS…

1. NEWSPAPER RACE

Two newspaper sheets required per player.
Each player must race to the turning point and back, stepping only on his newspapers.
He steps on one, lays the other in front of him steps on it, moves the first forward, and steps on it and so on.

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2. NO HANDS GET UP

Players run to turning point, stop, lie down on their backs, fold hands across chest and get up without moving their arms, and run back to finish line.

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3. HUMAN HURDLE (Must have at least 10 players)

1. Divide players into 2 teams…with each team laying in a circle.(Be sure there is a wide space between each player and heads are towards the center of the circle.

2. Assign each team member a number. (If there are 6 players on each team, each team player will be number 1 through 6) #1 on each team, gets up and runs over the bodies in the group–until they get back to their own spot.

3. #2 gets up and does the same. The first team to have all runners ‘hurdle’–is the winner!

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4. STANDING PRETZEL RACE or RELAY

1. Have kids get into pretzel positions by standing on their left leg.
2. Lift the right leg and cross it in front of the left knee.
3. Cross arms in front of the body.
4. On the word “go” hop to the finish line. The “pretzel” who gets to the finish line 1st wins.

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5. TUNNEL RELAY

All members in the team stand astride. Runners must first crawl under the legs of all players in the team–run forward to the turn around point –and return to tag the next person of the team who does the same thing as the first player. Play continues…

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6. SKIP AND THROUGH

Children stand in partners in a double circle.
The partners skip around the circle.
On signal, the inside person stops, folds their arms and puts their legs apart.
The outside person runs around the circle, goes through partner’s tunnel and sits cross-legged on the inside of the circle.

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7. UNDER BROOM RELAY

Lay a broom across two chairs for each team.
Form teams and direct them to run from the starting line to the broom, crawl under the broom without knocking it off, and then run back to the starting line where they  tag the next guest in line.
Continue until each guest has had a turn.
The team to finish first wins.

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8. SPIDER RACE

Team formation, Players #1 stand facing the goal.
Player #2 stands beside him, with his back to the goal.
The two players link elbows and on the signal, the pair run to the goal and back.
One person runs backward each time.
The rest of the players repeat the same action until every person has a turn.

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9. WHEEL BARROW

Partners assume the Wheel barrow and pusher position.
On the signal, advance to the turning point where they change positions and return to the starting line.

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10. WILD ROLL RELAY

Need several balls and a bat, broom, or yardstick for each team.
Put teams in separate lines (rows).
First child takes the ball and pushes or bats (whatever you decide) the ball from one end of the room to the other.
They then pick up the ball with one hand and drag the broom or stick with the other… and run back to starting line.
It can be varied by  the kids going backwards while pushing or batting the ball to their teams or the players hopping while going back and forth.

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11. CARTWHEEL RACE

– Self explanatory

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12. CONSEQUETIVE JUMPS

– Everyone jumps in predetermined fashion

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13. INSIDE OR OUTSIDE BANANA OLYMPICS (Relay Race)

Divide the group into teams of 8-10 players and give each team a banana.

Some ideas for Banana Relays:
1. Place the banana between the knees and hop down the course and back.
2. Two teammates tossing the banana back and forth down the course and back.
3. The banana under your armpit and hopping on one leg down and back.
4. Teammates line up in leapfrog formation and first player hops over players while holding banana and then tosses banana to next player in line to do the same.

Show the players all the relays that they’ll have to complete for the Olympics. You may have to write them on a large white board so that all players will know what relay is next. Once a team has completed all these relays someone (or the whole team) on the team must eat the banana and the team that is done first is the winner. Use your own ideas, add to the list or use only a few ideas. You can adjust this game to all types of players including the disabled.

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14. SOCCER RELAY

1.  Need three or four balls and cones…
2.  Partners are placed in file formation.
3.  Place cones at the end of the play area.
4.  The first two partners have a soccer ball.
5.  On signal, they must run, PASSING THE BALL FROM ONE TO THE OTHER… up to.. and around… the cone.
6.  They return passing the ball the same way ..and give the ball to the next two in their team.
7.  Relay play continues in same manner.

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15. CONTINUOUS HOOP RELAY

Need about five hoops
1.  Line up File line…
2.  The first player runs up and picks up a hoop.
3.  The other team members run up and go through the hoop.
4.  When all are through, the leader with the hoop rushes back with the hoop.
5.  The leader hands the hoop to the second person who runs up and everyone runs through again.
6.  Give everyone the chance to be the leader.

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16. SHOE BOX FOOT RELY RACE

Have the children bring two shoe boxes with them.
Tape the lids onto the boxes, then cut a one-inch-wide and four-inch long slit in each top.
Have the contestants slip their feet into the slits in the boxes and race…
The race can be individual–with all youth racing together in a horizontal line–or done as a relay.

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17. PUSH UP RELAY

1.  Create groups of four or five players in file formation.
2.  The teams stand behind a line.
3.  TWO PLAYERS FROM EACH TEAM ARE DESIGNATED AS OBSTACLES: one to go under and one to jump over.
4.  On signal, the first person in each team runs up and crawls UNDER the first obstacle; This person obstacle does a push up holding the position.
5.  The player then jumps OVER the second obstacle and then touches the given line. This player then runs back to tag the next team member to do the same.

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18. JUMP THE CREEK!

Need: Two long ropes
Divide the children into two teams, on at each end of the play area.
On your signal, the two teams run and try to jump the ropes.
Keep on widening the ropes each time.
If the students land in the creek, they must dry their feet (lie on their back and shake their legs)
They then get up and continue the jumps!

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19. COTTON BALL RACE

Materials Needed:
Lots of cotton balls, Vaseline, 2 or 4 bowls, tissue paper

1. Put a handful of cotton balls in one of the bowls.
Put the bowl at one end of a rug or mat that is on the floor (Or just play on floor)
Put the other empty bowl on the opposite end of the mat.
2. Rub Vaseline on the child’s nose and have them put their nose in the bowl with the cotton balls.
3. The object of the game is to get as many cotton balls as possible on their nose without using their hands.
4. After cotton balls are stuck to their nose—they crawl over to the empty bowl — and take them off their nose with their hands– kids then put them in the bowl. Wipe the Vaseline off with a tissue or napkin.
5. If you play with TEAMS set a time limit, and see who moves the most cotton balls from one bowl to the next.

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20. OBSTACLE RELAY

(set up two courses)
Players run the course from the head of the team to the turning point and back to the head of the team.
They follow the course as to whatever you have set-up.
The use of hoops, skipping ropes, Indian clubs, mats, low vaulting boxes, basketball hoops, or what-have-you offer an almost endless selection of obstacles.

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21. POPCORN RELAY RACE –

All it takes are two big bowls of popcorn and some small cups per team. Have kids run and get a cupful of popcorn and transfer it to the bowl across the room. The first team finished wins. Because of potential popcorn mess, this would be good played outside! The critters can eat what isn’t’ swept up! (Play in gym if you’re brave!)

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22. POPCORN ON THE HEAD RELAY

• Split youth into two teams.
• Give each team a cup of popcorn.
• Have each player take turns walking with the cup of popcorn on their heads, across the room, around a chair and back to their team.
• Play for a specified amount of time such as 2 minutes or more. The team that has the most popcorn left in their cup wins!

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23. THE WORM SQUIRM Obstacle Course Game

… Great for a “Pajama or Bug Theme party“! This is an obstacle course made of pillows, boxes etc, … when it’s your turn, you squirm like a worm on your belly to complete the obstacle course

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24. STUNT RELAY

In stunt relays, the runners advance to the turning point— stops and performs a stunt (that has been pre-determined).
They return to tag the next runner on their team.
There is virtually no end to the number of stunts that can be performed.

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25. WIGGLE WORM RELAY

Form relay lines.
1.  Everyone in each line puts their left hand between their legs and the person behind grabs that hand with their right hand.
2.  Then they run at a given signal to the other end of the playing area and back.
3.  The first team to return ‘intact’ wins!

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26. THREE LEGGED RACE

It’s best to play on a grassy area or even a sandy beach.
You’ll need:
Old rags or stockings
Cut rags in wide strips ~ 3 feet long.
Use old stockings; they are softer and have some give to them. Pair up into partners and stand side by side.

Tie one person left leg to the other player’s right, or vise versa. Practice walking together until you get a rhythm going and then try hopping or running. This can be played as a race or just for active fun.
An obstacle course can be created as well. For a real challenge if it is warm -try adding and avoiding an oscillating sprinkler. Be sure to wear swimsuits!
The kids won’t be able to make it without getting wet!

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27. THE 100 INCH DASH!

You need: yardstick and tape

  • Measure out 100″ on the floor or field.
  • Mark a start and finish line with the tape.
  • Start the race at the signal and try to reach the finish line.
  • What makes this difficult is that the children are to move their feet only one inch at a time by taking baby steps!
  • The winner crosses the finish line first.

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28. SACK RACE

If you are lucky enough to have a feed supply store near by, burlap sacks can be purchased inexpensively. If not, old pillow cases will do. A soft grassy park or lawn will prevent scrapes. (I purchased  sacks at Oriental Trading) bjs

Each player steps into his/her sack with both feet.
Pull the sack high enough to hold the edges.
Practice hopping first, until all of the players get the hang of it.
Identify the start and finish lines.
Blow the whistle and go!
Adjust the race with obstacles for more excitement—-or if it’s summer add sprinklers…

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29. POP A BAG RACE

Need: Paper Bags
Give each child a small paper bag.
With the signal, race to the marker and then blow up the bags.
Instruct youth to pop  them with their hands and then race back to the line.
The first player to pop his/her bag and return to the finish line is the winner.

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30. LEAP FROG

Tape down or mark a starting and finish line.

  • To start each child holds a bent drinking straw between their nose and upper lip. (Demonstrate this by curling the lip and holding it tight.)
  • The first child who reaches the finish line-without loosing the straw is the winner.
  • Adjust the running distance to the age of the child.

1.  If you are playing in a group with more than three players, you start by lining up in single file.
2.  The first person in the line takes a few steps forwards and then bends over to make the first frog.
3.  The next person in the line then leaps the first frog, carries on for a few steps and then bends over to make the second frog.
4.  The third person in the line then has to run and leap frogs one and two and then bends over to make the third frog.
5.  This carries on until all the players have jumped. This can be played with one line or in Teams.

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31. THE QUIET OLYMPICS

DISCUS THROW: Use a paper plate
SHOT-PUT: Use a balloon
TRACK RACE: Each player lines up at the start line and race by placing the heel of one foot against the toe of the next.
The first one to the end of the track and back wins.
HIGH JUMP: Each contestant takes a deep breath and whistles.
The contestant who holds the note the longest wins.
HIGH DIVE: Each player stands on a chair (or faces the chair back-rest and then kneels chair seat) with ten clothes pins and drops them into an empty bottle.
The player that gets the most wins wins the olympics.

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32. BACKWARD RACE

(Good for younger children)
As quickly as possible, walk backwards to the finish line.
While doing this—try not to bump into each other.

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33. EGG RACES!(They’re not only for Easter!)

EGG TOSS
You’ll need one, hard-boiled egg for each pair of children.
Have the children stand across from a partner. They should stand one foot apart.
When the leader says, “Go” the children should toss the eggs to their partners.
With hard-boiled eggs, everyone can play the whole game because the eggs won’t crack.
With each toss, the children should back up one step. Play until the eggs are destroyed and before the kids get bored.

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34. THE EGG-A-THON

This can be played as a race or relay…
Use a tablespoon and a hard-boiled egg or plastic Easter egg and plastic spoon.
Children try to walk fast holding the egg in the spoon to the finish line.
It can also be done as a relay and have one child in the middle of the race line waiting.
The children transfer the egg to their relay partner’s spoon and go!

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35. FOLLOW THE LEADER…

Give each child a tablespoon and a hard-boiled egg.
The children form a line and one is the leader.
Each one holds the spoon with the egg in its bowl at arm’s length and hops on one foot, following wherever the leader leads them.
To drop the egg or rest on both feet prevents one from continuing in the game. They stay out until the next round.

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FUN WITH BEAN BAGS!!!

36. BEAN BAG CHALLENGES:

Put up a chart with the below challenges…who can complete the list????

•Throw a beanbag in the air, turn around, and catch it again.

•Throw the beanbag up and backwards over your head and try to catch it behind your back.

•Throw the beanbag in the air, clap your hands once, and catch it. Now try clapping your hands twice, then three times, and so on. How high can you go?

•Throw the beanbag in the air and clap your hands under your right leg before catching it. Now try with your left leg. Now clap behind your back. Invent some more challenges.

•Throw the beanbag up, jump, and try to catch it. Jump twice. Jump three times!

•Throw it up, kneel down and try to catch it.

•Throw and catch with just your right hand, then with just your left.

•Try throwing it up and catching it with your eyes closed!

•Balance the beanbag on your right foot, then throw it up and catch it from there. Can you do it with your left foot too?

•Can you throw the beanbag up and catch it on your left foot?

•Can you run with a beanbag balanced on your head? Can you jump? Can you twist around? Can you kneel down and stand up again, or sit down? Can you climb the stairs? Can you do any of these things with two beanbags balanced on your head? Or three?

•Try balancing a beanbag on each shoulder while you walk, run, jump etc.

•Sing one of your favorite songs or rhymes while you throw the beanbag up and catch it, or pass it round a circle of children.

•Set up a variety of hoops, containers and targets and have some throwing practice. How far can you throw the beanbag? Does it make a difference if you throw over-arm or underarm? Adapted From: activityvillage.co.uk

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36. BEAN BAG RELAY GAMES Age: 4 and all the way up!

Divide the children into teams and line them up in rows. Give the child at the front of each row a beanbag.
How to playThe children pass the beanbag from one to the next and back again, in a particular style, which you can decide as appropriate for the age of the children.

  • Pass it down the row with the right hand only
  • Pass it up the row with left hand only
  • Pass it down the row with both hands
  • Pass it up the row with right hand over left shoulder
  • Pass it down the row with left hand over right shoulder
  • Pass it up the row under the right leg
  • Pass it down the row under the left leg, and so on

TIP: For younger children, it might be a good idea to practice the game movements first! If a beanbag is dropped, you can make the children start again from the the front of the row.
TIP: Cue the kids! On a white board or chart paper write the order of steps in passing the bean bags.

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37. BEAN BAG TOSS

Buy or make a painted wood or cardboard bean bag toss. Make the shape according to the theme.
Use bean bags to toss—or be creative and toss something based on the theme. Example: Scrunched up paper or large marshmallows for a winter theme.

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38. Over Under, Over Under

Materials: Just a bean bag

How to play:

Divide the group into two. Now have them standing in two lines with the first kid holding the bean bag in his hands.

The play is that when the whistle blows each kid needs to pass the bean bag between his legs to the next kid, while the next one needs to pass it over his head.

Once the kid passes the bean bag he runs to the end of the line.

The winning group is the one that the first kid moves back to the front of the line after all kids did the exercise.

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BALLOON GAMES

39. BALLOON BURST

Several balloons and string needed.
Each player is given two balloons to be inflated and tied around each ankle with a piece of string.
Object of game is to burst the other players balloons with their feet—no hands allowed.
Winner is last person with a balloon or balloons. Game can be played with or without boundaries.

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40. BALLOON BOP

Need several pre-blown balloons.

  • Players may stand or sit.
  • Each team is given a balloon to keep in the air for as long as possible. They can only bat or tap the balloon to keep it afloat—no throwing or catching is allowed.
  • Each time the balloon hits the ground- a point is scored AGAINST that team. (Some one needs to keep score.)
  • The team with the lowest score is the winner.

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41. BALLOON BOUNCE

A contest to see who can keep a balloon in the air the longest using only their head.
The person who can keep it in the air longest without using anything but their head is the winner.
(This game can also be played in teams).

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42. BUZZ-BOMB BALLOON GAME

1 balloon per player, not inflated–Tape or string to make a target…
Played from a line or circle…

  • All players inflate their balloon. Some players may need help.
  • When the leader says “1, 2, 3, GO!” The players release their balloons in the direction of the target. If you are having a THEME PARTY, use a picture from the theme as the target center.
  • Score 5 points for the closest balloon and 15 points for a direct hit.

This game works well with teams – each team gets their own colored balloons; red, blue, green etc. Or, you do not need to keep score at all and just have fun playing the game several times. Source: amazingmoms.com

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A picture of a kid holidng a balloon and a paddle. Getting ready to play balloon badmitten.

43. LEFT OVER BALLOONS??? PLAY BALLOON BADMITTEN

An idea inspired by World Pre-School Mom is to use fly swatters (At Dollar Store  about 2 for $1.00)…Children simply hit the balloon back and forth to each other!

OR…

Another great idea is to make paddles simply taping tongue depressor sticks to the back of paper plates. Use the paper plate ‘paddles’ to keep a blown up ballon up in the air–This game can be played in a gym or outdoors— played individually or in a group! It’s also a great way to repurpose  paper plates and balloons! (Images by KidActivites.net)

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44. WATER BALLOON OBSTACLE COURSE

Materials:
Lots of water balloons
Space for obstacle course

  • Set up a summer themed obstacle course.
  • Children place a water balloon under their chins and must negotiate the obstacle course without breaking the balloon.
  • This can also be done as a cooperative activity or group initiative. If a balloon breaks, that person must go back to the beginning, get another balloon and start again. The team must wait for the missing member to rejoin.

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45. WATER BALLOON BRIGADE

Materials:
Many water balloons in buckets or tubs, laundry basket.

  • Participants stand in a circle and pass one balloon at a time around the circle–until many balloons at one time are going around.
  • After a given time, the number of balloons successfully passed is tallied.
  • Players then try to beat their score.

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A picture of about 10 homemade bean bags. The bags have different designs including some faces drawn on them.

46. MAKE YOUR OWN BEAN BAGS FOR GAMES OUT OF PAPER NAPKINS!

The Bean Bag photograph is courtesy of School in your Home.

All you do is crumple up some napkins into a tight ball and then wrap another napkin around and secure in back with a rubber band. You can color the napkin with water-based markers before wrapping it or after. Experiment to see which works better. These inexpensive beanbags make for a fun activity for all ages–preschool and up! They would also make nice puppet heads!

There you have it, 46 fun relay races for kids. Make sure you check out our fun fall games and activities as well as our swimming pool fun ideas. If you were looking for some fun party ideas for toddlers, we have that too.

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