Children's Cowboy Relay Games

Dress Up Relay

• For this relay, you'll need a cowboy outfit for each team. Choosing identical articles of clothing ensures the relay race is fair. Ideas for the cowboy costume include cowboy boots, a flannel shirt, a vest, chaps and a cowboy hat. The first person on each team dresses in the outfit before running around a cone at the far end of the playing area and back to the starting line. The player takes off the cowboy clothing and passes them to the next person on the team, who puts on the clothes and races around the cone. Repeat the steps for each player. This continues until everyone on the team has had a chance to put on the costume and race.

Stick Horse Relay

• A stick horse provides the challenge for this cowboy-themed relay race. Each team has its own stick horse. The first player on each team starts with the stick horse. She rides the "horse" down to the opposite end and back to the starting line. She then passes the stick horse to the next player who repeats the action. The first team to have all of its members complete the course wins.

Cattle Roping Relay

• This relay puts the roping skills of the players to the test. Instead of a cone at the opposite end, you'll set up a roping steer head that is used for lasso practice. One at a time, the players from the teams race down to the roping steer where they find a lasso waiting. The lasso is used to rope the steer head. After successfully lassoing the steer, the player must remove his lasso and lay it back down so it's ready for the next team member. He races back to the starting line and tags the next team member who repeats the roping challenge.

Bean Can Stacking

• Baked beans are a staple of the cowboy diet. Cans of baked beans also work well for a themed relay race. Each team needs 10 bean cans lined up at the opposite end of the playing field. The first player from each team runs to the cans and stacks them in a pyramid. The easiest configuration is to stack four cans on the bottom, three on top of that, two on top of those cans and the final one on the very top. The kids then knock over the cans and run back to the starting line. The remaining players each take a turn to complete the task.