Relay Race Games and Ideas

 

 

 

The very best relay races for kids, tweens and teens.  These Relay Races are great for groups, parties, family fun night, field days at school or any time you have a group of kids who want to have fun.  You'll find the best relay race games for indoors, outdoors, splash and water, competitive or just plain fun.  Most of the relay race ideas are made for children ages 4 and up, but some are easy enough for preschoolers to understand the concept and have fun playing too. 

 

 

Backwards Relay Races for Kids

Teams race to a turn around point and back, only they have to walk backwards the whole time!

Divide into teams.  On "go" the first player from each one walks backwards to the turn around point and then back again to the starting point where they tag the next player on their team.  The first team with all their players to complete the course wins. 

 

 

Beach Ball Relay Race Game

2 Beach balls (or 1 ball for each team)

Players have to keep the beach ball in the air while running the relay race

Divide into teams and give the first player in each team a beach ball.  The player has to run to the turn around point and back to their team while tossing the beach ball in the air the whole time.  They can not hold it or have it touch the ground.  If the ball touches the ground or if the player holds on to it while they are running the course then they have to go back to the start and begin again.

 

 

Chicken with an Egg Relay Race

1 tennis ball for each team

Teams must run the course with the tennis ball between their knees the whole time

Teams line up and the first player takes their team's tennis ball and puts it between their knees.  On "go" the players run to the turn around point, an orange cone or chair that they have to run around, and then back to the starting point.  They then give the ball to the next player in line and that player runs the course.  The first team that has all of their players complete the course wins.

 

The players have to run, or waddle, with the ball between their legs the whole time they are on the course.  If they drop the ball they must put it

back between their knees before they can move again. 

 

Lots of fun for the players and also the people watching! 

 

 

Classic Sack Race Relay Game
1 Burlap sack or pillowcase per team
Teams try to be the first one to complete the course while hopping in a sack.
Players start by standing inside the sack and then on "go" hopping in the sack to the other end of the game area and back again.
The next player from their team takes the sack and hops down the course and back.
Winners are the first team to complete the course.

 

 

Egg and Spoon Relay Race Game

Wooden spoon and 1 egg per team (but make sure you have extras in case an egg breaks)

Teams place an egg on their wooden spoon and 1 player at a time runs to the turn around point and back to the starting line.  They then hand off the egg and spoon to the next player who also runs the course.  The winning team will have all of their players complete the course.

 

If an egg falls then the players must pick up the egg using only the spoon.  They can not use their hands.  If an egg breaks then that player must go back to the starting line and begin again with a new egg.

 

 

 

Frozen T-shirt Relay Race

t-shirts (one per team or one per person on the team) that have been frozen in water in gallon ziploc bags at least overnight.

Teams must be the first ones to unfreeze their t-shirts and put them on to be the winners.

Give each team (or each person on the team) a t-shirt and tell them to win they must have one (or all if every player has a shirt) of their players unfreeze the shirt enough to put it on.

 

Players can only use their bodies to unfreeze the shirts. 

 

This is a simple game, but much harder then it looks!  Fun for hot summer days! 

 

 

 

Hawaiian Relay Race

Teams must have one player at a time put on the items in their beach bag, run to their team's beach chair, and then back to the starting point.
For each team you will need:
1 large beach bag
1 adult size Hawaiian shirt
1 adult size shorts
1 pair of flip flops
1 pair of sunglasses
1 straw hat
1 beach or lawn chair
1 Hawaiian flower lei
1 pair of flippers (instead of the flip flops)
1 grass skirt (instead of the Hawaiian shorts)

Place 1 of each of the items in each teams bag.

Put the beach or lawn chairs at the opposite end of the game area, an equal distance for each team from their starting point.

Teams line up one player behind the next player. On "go" the first player from each team takes the beach bag and puts on all the items. They then
run to the beach chair and sit down for 5 seconds.

They then run back to the starting point and take off all of the beach items and place them back in the beach bag. Then the next player in line takes
their turn and repeats the process.

The first team with all of their players to complete the course and have their items back in the beach bag wins.

 

 

Heel Toe Relay Race Game

Players have to move as fast as they can through the course but can only walk / run by placing their heel to toe for short steps.

This is a funny game to watch too!

 

 

Jumping Relay Race Game

This is a fun relay race for kids of all ages.

Teams jump from the starting point, around an orange cone (or chair) and then back to their team.

The players are given a certain way to jump down to the turn around point and back where the next player in line from their team takes a turn.  Play several rounds where players have to jump:

Like a kangaroo (large hops)

Like a bunny (small hops)

Like a jumping bean (circle hops)

On 1 leg

On all fours - hands and feet

Like a frog

 

 

Leaky Cup Relay Race

Teams have to use a leaky cup to fill their bucket in order to win this game.
Set up a large water container filled with water between the teams at their starting line. Set up 1 bucket for each team at the opposite end of the game area.

Each team gets 1 plastic cup that has several small holes poked in the side and the bottom to create a small leak. (Make sure the cups leak the same amount of water for each team.)

On "go" the first player from each team fills their cup with water, runs to the other side of the game area and dumps their cup into their bucket.
Then they run back and hand off the cup to the next player on their team. Play continues until one team's bucket is completely full of water.
This is a great game for kids and perfect for a hot afternoon when everyone wants to cool off.

 

 

Over and Under Relay Race Game
Ball or bean bag for each team
Teams try to be the first one to move their ball from the front to the back of their line and back again.

Teams line up one right after the other in a single line all facing one direction. The first player passes the ball over their head to the player behind them. The second player passes the ball to the next player in line under their legs. The next player passes over their head and so on until the ball reaches the end of the line. Then the last player in line sends the ball back through the line in the same way - over and under - until it reaches the first player in line. The first team to complete the cycle wins.

If the ball is dropped then the team must start the ball at the beginning of the line again.

Play several rounds and with each round increase the distance between the players.

 

 

 

Pass the Ball Relay Race Game

1 playground or beach ball for every team

Teams pass a ball down the line to advance to the finish line.

Divide into teams and give each a ball.  Have them line up one right after the other.  The first players passes the ball backward and it continues to pass down until the last player in line gets the ball and runs to the front of the line.  The ball is then passed backwards again and the last player in line runs it up to the front of the line. 

 

The line advances until all players cross the finish line, or they have made it to the turn around point and back to the finish line.

 

If the ball is dropped then the whole team must go back to the starting line and begin again.  So it is good to move the ball fast, but not so fast that you lose control and have to start over!

 

Ping Pong Herd Relay Race Game
3 ping pong balls and a broom for each team
Players have to herd 3 ping pong balls around the course to win
Each team receives 3 ping pong balls and a broom. The players must try to herd the 3 ping pong balls to the other end of the game area, around a cone, and then back to the starting point. Then the next player from their team herds the ping pong balls down the course. The team with all of their players completing the course first wins.

This relay race is best played on a hard surface like a gym floor or a basketball court.

If there are a lot of teams playing color code the ping pong balls for each team with permanent colored markers so the balls won't get mixed up.

For older children or if you are playing several rounds add ping pong balls for each round.  

 

 

 

 

Puzzle Relay Race Game
2 identical puzzles with 24 or 50 pieces, 2 card tables (or use picnic table for both teams)
Teams try to be the first to assemble their puzzle.
Mix up the pieces of the puzzles and place one puzzle box (closed) near each team. On "go" the first player will open their puzzle box, take a piece and run to the other side of the game area where their puzzle assembly table is located. Then they run back and tag the next player in line who opens the puzzle box, takes out a piece and runs with it to the table. If they can put the pieces together then they do so and then run back to their team and tag the next player.
The first team that has their puzzle completed and returns to their team at the starting line wins.

Use puzzles with fewer pieces for younger children and more pieces for older children, tweens and teens.  

 

 

 

Sponge Relay Race for Kids, Tweens and Teens

Teams use a sponge to fill their bucket in this relay race.

 

Set up the game with one large water container between the teams at their start and 2 empty buckets at the other end of the game area, one for each team.

 

Teams are given a sponge and they must dip their sponge in the water container, run with it to the other side of the game area, squeeze the water into their team bucket and then run back to the starting point.  They hand off the sponge to the next player on their team and that player tries to carry as much water as they can with the sponge to continue to fill the team bucket. 

 

The first team that completely fills their bucket wins.  Fun game for all ages!  Great game to play outdoors on a hot day.

 

 

 

Stepping Stones Relay Race Game

Pieces of poster board cut in 10" x 10" squares or letter size cardstock paper.  1 more than the number of players for all teams.

Have the players line up one behind the other and give the first player of the team the pieces of paper or "stones".  On "go" the first player takes a "stone", lays it on the ground and then steps on it.

 

They then take the next "stone" and lay it on the ground in front of them and move to step onto it.  Then the second player in line steps on the first stone.  The first player then puts down another stone and all the players move forward one stone.  When the front player is out of stones there should be one stone left at the back of all the players.  The last player will reach down and get the stone and pass it forward to the front player who will place it in front and the whole line will advance. 

 

Keep doing this until all the players have made it across the finish line on the other side of the game area.   To make the game longer simply make a turnaround point and all the players have to make it around the turnaround point and then back to the start to win.

 

This is a simple, but fun game for all ages.  It teaches teamwork and cooperation.  And it is really funny to watch!

 

 

Three Legged Relay Race Game
Bandanas or pieces of cloth (1 for every pair of players)
Players are teamed up and have their inside legs tied together with a bandana. This makes them have 3 legs and they will have to use teamwork to complete the course.
Pair up teammates (try to make the players close to the same height if possible). Use the bandana to tie their inside legs together. Teams might want to practice walking together before the game begins.

On "go" the first pair of players from every team runs down the game area to the turnaround point and back again as fast as they can without falling.

 

 If a player falls they must get up with their legs still together and complete the course. The first team to have all of their players complete the course wins.

 

 

 

Tricycle Relay Race

2 Tricycles, cones (or any object to determine a turn around point), large game area with a flat surface such as a gym or basketball court

 

Divide into teams.  The first player from each team gets on the trike and must peddle it to the turn around point and back to their team.  Then the next player does the same thing.  The first team that has all players complete the course wins.

 

The players can not pick up the tricycle or walk with it, they must ride it. 

If a player falls off the trike they can get back on and start from where they fell off the trike.

 

 

 

 

Wagon Relay Race Game

2 small wagons, beach balls or play balls

Teams try to go around the course pulling a wagon full of balls and not letting any of them fall out.

 

Divide into teams and give each a wagon full of beach balls or playground balls.  Set a turnaround point at the other end of the game area that they have to pull the wagon around and then back to their team so that the next player on their team can take their turn.

 

The winner is the team that gets all their players back to the finish line first.

 

Note:  If any of the balls fall out of the wagon the player must stop and pick them up and put them back in the wagon before they can continue with the course.

 

 

Water Bucket Relay Race
Players race around an obstacle course and try to be the first team to fill their bucket with water.
Before the game begins set up an obstacle course with picnic tables, chairs, tires, hula hoops, swingsets, etc. Anything that kids can crawl through or climb across can be a part of the course.

Set up a large container of water, that both teams will use, at the start of the course.
Set up 2 equal size empty buckets at the end of the course, one for each team.
Both teams get plastic cup.

On "go" one player from each team will take the cup, fill it with water and race with it to the other end of the course and dump the water in their bucket. Then they will run back through the obstacle course and hand off the plastic cup to the next player. The game continues until one team has their bucket completely full. The team that fills their bucket first wins the relay.

 

 

 

Water in the Cup Relay Race

All teams will need plastic cups, one for each player, a bucket and a water source.

 

Teams line up across the game area with at least 5 feet of space between each player.  They should be in a line that goes from the water source to their bucket at the other end of the game area.  Players shouldn't be able to touch each others outstretched hands.

 

On "go" the first player fills their cup with water and then tosses the water from their cup into the next players cup.  That player then tosses the water in their cup to the 3rd players cup.  And on down the line until the end player tosses the water in their cup into the teams bucket.

 

There will be a lot of water lost during the transfer between the players until they get the hang of how to toss the water to each other without spilling. 

 

For older children make the gap between players larger.

 

If you have some great relay race ideas for kids to play send them in and we will add them to the Best Relay Races for kids page.

 

 

Waiter Relay Race Game
Ping pong balls and a tray for each team
Players race holding a tray, on the palm of one hand like a waiter or waitress does, while balancing a ping pong ball on the tray.

Players take turns on each team carrying the tray with the ping pong ball to a orange cone (or chair) at the other end of the game area and then
back and hand it off to the next player.

If the ping pong ball falls off the tray the player must stop and place it back on the tray before continuing.

First team with all of their waiters and waitresses to complete the course wins.