Relay Games to Play

Ballon Races

• Balloons are fun and easy to come by. They can also make enjoyable relay race accessories.
  In a balloon brigade race, players line up in a row in their team, with the player in front holding a balloon. She must pass the balloon to the player behind her by holding the balloon between her knees; the receiving player must grab the balloon between his knees. Then it's his turn to pass the balloon, this time by holding it up over his head and passing it to the person behind him. The balloon passes down the row this way, alternating between knees and overhead passes, until it reaches the end. Then the last person runs to the front of the line and keeps passing. When the original front player returns to her spot in front, she pops the balloon to end the race.
  In a balloon sandwich race, two players are a team. They line up back-to-back, and a moderator puts a balloon between their backs. Their task is to run to a finish line while keeping the balloon sandwiched between them. They lose if they drop the balloon, pop it or use their hands. Losing players have to go back to the starting line and begin again.

Partner Support

• Some relay races are meant to be played in teams of two.
  For the classic team racing game, tie two players' legs together (one player's left leg tied to the other player's right leg) and have them race to the finish line.
  In wheelbarrow racing, one player gets on all fours while the other player holds up his legs behind him, like a wheelbarrow. They race together toward the finish.
  Water balloon tosses are also partner games, where partners must gently toss a water balloon between them, backing up every time so there's a greater distance to toss the balloon. The last team holding an unpopped balloon wins.

Indoor Games

• Some indoor relay games can be played regardless of the weather conditions outside.
  Use some extra adult-sized clothing for a fun relay. Have kids line up in teams; the front kid has to run across the room and put on all the clothing in a pile, then run back to his team and undress again. Then the next person in line dresses and runs across, undressing on the other side. Alternate this dressing and undressing until all team members have had a turn; players should sit down at the back of the line when finished. The first team to have all members sitting is the winning team.
  Use wooden spoons for another fun (although somewhat messy) relay idea. Place teams in lines at a starting line. Next to each team, place a large bowl full of beans and a wooden spoon. At the finish line, place a paper grocery sack for each team. Every team member has to take a turn scooping up the beans in the spoon, running to the sack, pouring the beans in the sack, and running back to her team. When every player has taken a turn, measure the beans in the sacks; the team with the most beans in the sack wins.