35 Indoor and Outdoor Relay Race Ideas for Kids

Get ready to rev up the excitement and ignite the competitive spirit in your little ones with our fantastic collection of 35 indoor and outdoor relay race ideas for kids! We all know that children have an endless reserve of energy, and what better way to channel that enthusiasm than through thrilling races that bring out their inner speed demons? From classic sprints to unique and hilarious challenges, these relay races are guaranteed to keep your children engaged and entertained for hours on end.

Whether it’s a sunny summer day, a lively barbecue party, or a thrilling camp adventure, relay races are the perfect way to get the kids moving and create lasting memories. Picture this: a group of eager youngsters, their faces beaming with excitement as they eagerly await the signal to take off. The tension builds, the baton is passed, and the race is on! These relay races not only provide a healthy outlet for their energy but also foster teamwork, camaraderie, and a healthy dose of friendly competition. It’s exercise disguised as pure fun! So, grab your sneakers, rally the troops, and let the games begin!

35 Fun Relay Race for Kids

Try these 35 kid-friendly outdoor and indoor relay race ideas to get you started to turn the fun quotient up. They make for fun activities at a birthday party or even a family reunion. Some can be done indoors whilst some may need some preparation. But they can all be fitted and customized to fit any party theme or occasion.

1. Sack Race

All you need is some sacks and participants to get into a crazy mood. This one is a relay twist to the popular sack race.

How to Play

Get kids to get in a potato sack and hop to a designated point and turn back. When they reach the start line, they need to get out of the sack and hand it to the next participant in line. The winning team is the one where all participants have completed the task. You can swap the sack for a large pillowcase for younger kids.

2. Egg and Spoon Race

With some spoons and eggs, you can have a whole lot of fun. This could be played indoors and outdoors but make sure to swap the real eggs for plastic ones while playing indoors.

How to Play

Divide the participants into two teams. Every participant in the team needs to carry the spoon in their mouth and balance the egg on it from the start point to the finishing line and turn around. As they approach the start line, they need to place the egg on the spoon of the next participant’s spoon. The first team to complete the race wins.

3. Exercise Ball Relay for Kids

You can achieve wonders with just an exercise ball and some cones. A great race to get kids not just to run but also to flex their muscles.

How to Play

Set up cones in a straight line. Make sure that there is enough space between the cones so that the ball can roll freely. Try getting kids to roll the ball as they run through the cones and time them. Alternatively, you could have two teams and the team where all the participants finish rolling the ball and complete the race win.

4. Newspaper Race

Another great idea with just newspapers. This one needs kids to have good coordination skills.

How to Play

Place the newspaper sheets in a line from the starting line to the end. Players have to run the race and step on the newspapers and make sure their feet do not touch the ground from the start line to the finishing line. Another variation could be, give them cut-out pieces of newspapers, and each player has to place the newspaper in front of them before taking the next step. This should be done from the start point to the endpoint.

5. Fill It With Water Race

It a messy one, but this one promises a whole of fun, especially in the summer.

How to Play

Set up obstacle courses everywhere with tables, chairs, rocks, etc. Give the participants plastic cups and a bucket full of water. They have to fill the cups and place them by the obstacles as they go along. The participant, to return with a full bucket of water back to the start line, wins the race.

6. Dress Up Relay

A hilarious game. This will have your onlookers in splits.

How to Play

Fill two boxes or suitcases with a variety of clothes. Divide the group into two teams. The first player has to run to the pile, put on all the clothes on top of theirs, and return to the start line. They need to take their clothes off, and the next participant will have to get them on and run to the finish line before returning to the team. The process is repeated until all players have finished.

7. Over Under, Over Under

A great way to get kids to think quickly and act fast.

How to Play

Divide the group into two teams. Kids have to either pass a bean bag or a ball first under their leg and over their head to the next participant and, once done, must move to the back of the line. This needs to be done until the first participant comes back to the front of the line.

8. Shoe Hunt

Kids need to be observant to play this game.

How to Play

Before the game starts, kids remove one shoe they are wearing and put it in a large box. A participant from the team runs one at a time to find their matching pair. The first team where every member has found their matching pair is the winner.

9. Hula-Hoop Pass

Not a simple one, but this one promises loads of fun.

How to Play

Divide the group into two teams. Loop a hula hoop into one player’s arm. Get each team to join hands and form a circle. Without letting go of the other player’s hands, the player with the hoop must step into and through the loop so that it rests on their other arm. They then slide it into the other player’s arm, who would need to perform the same manoeuvre. The team that passes the hoop through the whole circle wins the game.

10. Pool Noodle Beach Ball Relay Race

This game works on coordination and teamwork. It is a great activity to build resilience in kids.

How to Play

Partners hold a pool noodle with a beach ball in between the pool noodles. Players have to race from start to finish without letting the beach ball fall to the ground.

11. No Hands Race

This one is a wonderful race to get kids to test their balance and body coordination.

How to Play

Players need to run to the endpoint, stop, lie down on their backs, fold hands across their chest and get up, moving their arms. They need to run back to the start line.

12. Tunnel Relay

A wonderful way to get kids to move their whole body from start to finish.

How to Play

Divide the group into two teams. Get the players to stand in line with their legs apart. The first participant needs to crawl through the human tunnel to the end line, and the rest of the participants follow. The team which finishes first will win.

13. Sponge Race

Great entertainment for kids and a lot of mess with water splashing all over.

How to Play

Divide your team into two. Get them to stand in rows. Fill a bucket of water in the front and leave an empty bucket at the back of the row. Give a sponge to the first participant, and they need to dip the sponge in the bucket and run with it to the end and squeeze all the water out. They will then hand the sponge to the next participant, who will repeat the process. The team which has the higher amount of water in the bucket at the end wins.

14. Drop the Coin

Kids need to be careful when they play this one as it requires some concentration.

How to Play

Divide the group into two teams. Have two points, start point, pick up point and turn around point. Place a few empty egg cartons at the turn around point. Players have to run from the start point, pick up a coin from a bowl at the pickup point and run to the egg cartons and fill them. They will then run back to the start line, where the next participant will continue the process. The first team to fill up the egg carton and come back to the starting point wins.

15. Three-legged Race

A fun game where kids will be trying hard to stand straight and race at the same time.

How to Play

Pair kids into two’s or let them pick a partner. Tie up one leg of the kids with their partners with a scarf, bandana, or fabric sashes. This becomes their third leg. The partners then have to walk from the start line to the finish line. You could also tie their arms by making them stand with their backs to each other. This requires more coordination and communication skills.

16. Pop the Balloon Race

It is a race with some noisy fun.

How to Play

Tie up an inflated balloon to a chair. Get the participants to run to the chair and pop the balloon. Alternatively, you could also have a box filled with balloons. Kids will need to run and pick a balloon and bring it back to fill an empty box at the start line.

17. Waiter Run

Kids need to play the role of waiters at a restaurant.

How to Play

Hand out a plate to every kid and place a ping-pong ball on it. Kids have to carry the plate over their heads from the start line to the finish line and hand over the ping pong ball to the next participants. The team where all participants head back to the start line first win the race.

18. Water Balloon Armpit Race

This one needs kids to be vigilant and also agile.

How to Play

Kids have to keep a water balloon under their armpits and run from the start point to the finishing line. The rules can vary, and if the balloon bursts, they can take another one. Play it in teams to see which one wins.

19. Broom Relay

Loads of fun, this could be a game for Halloween too.

How to Play

Place a broom on chairs. Divide groups into teams and get participants to run from the start line to the finishing line. When they reach the chair, they need to crawl under the broom without knocking it off. They run back to the start line, where the next participant follows.

20. Jump the Creek

Running, hopping, and jumping – all in one race.

How to Play

Get two children to hold the ends of the rope.  The two teams on cue must run one by one to the rope and jump over it. You could also get them to hop to the rope and them to jump over it. You could get the kids holding the rope to stand close to each other first and then slowly widen it as the participants keep passing by.

21. Three-Legged Race

Time to tie yourselves together and find your rhythm!

How to Play

Pair up and have each duo bind one leg together. Together, navigate the racecourse with your shared limb, striving to reach the finish line first.

22. Water Balloon Toss Relay

Stay cool and get wet with this refreshing relay!

How to Play

Teams must pass a water balloon from player to player using only their chins. The team that successfully completes the most transfers without dropping the balloon wins.

23. Wheelbarrow Race

Get ready for a hilarious twist on a classic game!

How to Play

Players team up, with one acting as the “wheelbarrow” and the other holding their legs. The “wheelbarrow” must navigate the course on their hands while the other player helps steer them to victory.

24. Crab Walk Relay

Get ready to scuttle like a crab!

How to Play

Players must race with their hands and feet on the ground, facing upward. The first team to cross the finish line in this sideways scramble takes the crown.

25. Dress-Up Relay

Let the fashion show begin!

How to Play

Each team races to put on a set of oversized clothes, hats, and accessories. The first team to fully dress up and cross the finish line with their fabulous attire intact wins the race.

26. Leapfrog Relay

Hop, skip, and jump your way to victory!

How to Play

Players take turns leapfrogging over their teammates in this energetic race. The first team to successfully leapfrog across the entire course wins.

27. Sock Relay

It’s time to sort those socks in a hurry!

How to Play

Teams race to match and fold a pile of mixed-up socks. The team that correctly pairs and folds the most socks within the given time limit emerges victorious.

28. Animal Sounds Relay

Prepare for some wild and noisy fun!

How to Play

Each player takes turns mimicking an animal sound while running to the next player. The team that successfully completes the relay with the most accurate animal sounds wins the race.

29. Paper Airplane Relay

Let your creativity soar in this aerodynamic race!

How to Play

Each team must fold and throw a paper airplane, aiming to land it in a designated target area. The team with the most accurate and successful throws wins the relay.

30. Freeze Dance

A fun game to watch everyone’s moves and have a little fun while you’re at it. 

How to Play

Play some lively music and have the kids dance their hearts out. When the music stops, everyone must freeze in their current position. Any player caught moving is out of the game. The last one standing (or freezing) is the winner.

31. Tug of War

Have fun with just a long piece of rope!

How to Play

Divide the kids into two teams and have them compete in a classic game of tug of war. Each team pulls on a rope, trying to pull the other team across a designated line. The team that successfully pulls the other team across the line wins.

32. Musical Chairs

A series of chairs, music and a team and you got yourself a fun game for the evening. 

How to play

Arrange chairs in a circle, one fewer than the number of players. While music plays, the kids walk around the chairs. When the music stops, they must find a seat. The player left standing is out, and one chair is removed. The game continues until there’s only one chair and one player remaining.

33. Memory Game relay

Challenge your brains and your speed in this memory race!

How to play

Teams take turns flipping over cards in a memory game, trying to find matching pairs. The team that matches the most pairs within the given time limit wins the relay.

34. Puzzle Relay

Test your puzzle-solving skills on the run!

How to Play

Each team receives a jigsaw puzzle and races to complete it together. The first team to successfully assemble their puzzle wins the race.

35. Shoe-Toss Relay

Get ready for a shoe-slinging showdown!

How to Play

Teams take turns tossing shoes into a target area, aiming for the highest score. The team with the highest total score at the end of the relay emerges as the victorious shoe masters.

Why Are Relay Races Good For Kids?

What’s the secret ingredient to a perfect recipe for fun and fitness? It’s relay races, of course! These exciting competitions are not only a surefire way to get kids moving and grooving, but they also offer a plethora of benefits that will leave both parents and children cheering for more. From building teamwork and communication skills to promoting physical activity and healthy competition, relay races are the ultimate playground adventure. So, lace up those sneakers, grab a baton, and dive into the world of relay races with your little champions. It’s time to create memories, build bonds, and let the race begin!

How To Organize/Prepare Relay Races For Kids?

Ready, set, organize! If you’re looking to host an epic relay race for kids, we’ve got you covered with some foolproof tips and tricks. Before the starting pistol is fired, take a moment to gather the necessary supplies, such as batons, cones, or markers, to define the racecourse. Clear a safe and spacious area for the race, ensuring there are no obstacles in the way. Next, divide the kids into teams, making sure each team has an equal number of participants. It’s essential to explain the rules clearly and emphasize the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork. With a little creativity and imagination, you can even incorporate fun themes or costumes to add an extra dose of excitement. So, grab your clipboard, channel your inner race director, and get ready to orchestrate a relay race extravaganza that will leave the kids cheering for an encore. Game on!

Prize Ideas For Relay Races

Get ready to award the champions of the relay races with some fantastic prizes that will make their victory even sweeter! When it comes to prize ideas for relay races for kids, let your imagination run wild. Think beyond traditional trophies and medals to truly capture the essence of fun and accomplishment. Consider personalized certificates or ribbons that showcase their team name and event details. How about fun-filled goody bags filled with small toys, candies, or stickers? Another great option is to offer themed prizes that align with the relay race itself. For example, if it’s a beach-themed race, hand out colourful beach towels or mini beach balls. If it’s a sports-themed race, consider gifting mini sports equipment or water bottles. Don’t forget to involve the kids by allowing them to suggest prize ideas as well. Whatever prizes you choose, remember that it’s not just about the physical reward but also the recognition and sense of achievement. So, let your creativity shine and create prize packages that will leave the winners beaming with pride. Get ready to celebrate their triumph and make the relay races truly unforgettable!

With so many ideas, there is no way that one will get bored during the summer. So next time you are having a party or a sleepover in summer, pick one of these to get the kids to have fun.

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