Kids need to move.
Planning activities that keep children engaged during parties can be tough. You search for ideas online but end up with the same boring games everyone plays. The kids get restless, parents look at their watches, and your perfect party starts to fall flat.
I’ve collected 47 relay party games that will get kids running, laughing, and working together. These team-based activities work for any age group and require minimal supplies.
They’re perfect for birthday parties, school events, or family gatherings. Each game combines fun and friendly competition to create memories that last long after the party ends.
Let me show you how to make your next kid’s event a hit.
Classic Relay Party Games with A Twist
Traditional relay games have kept kids active for generations.
Kids who might say, “Not this again,” will quickly change their tune when they see how these relay party games with small twists make the game more exciting.
1. Sack Relay
Players put both feet into a sack and hop along a marked path to a turning point, then back to their team. To make it more challenging, the course can include turns or a zig-zag pattern. The first team to finish wins.
- Materials required: Potato sacks or pillowcases for each team
- Number of players: 4-20 (divided into teams)
2. Spoon and Egg Relay
Each player balances an egg on a spoon while walking to a designated point and back. If the egg falls, they must stop and place it back on the spoon. Add small obstacles like cones to increase difficulty.
- Materials required: Spoons, eggs (hard-boiled or plastic), optional obstacles
- Number of players: 4-20 (divided into teams)
3. Three-Legged Relay
Partners stand side by side with inside legs tied together. They must coordinate their movements to reach the turning point and return to tag the next pair. Adding low obstacles creates an extra challenge for teamwork.
- Materials required: Fabric strips or bandanas for tying legs
- Number of players: 6-24 (in pairs)
4. Water Bucket Relay
Teams transfer water from a full bucket to an empty one using sponges or cups. Players run to the full bucket, soak their sponge, race back, and squeeze water into their team’s empty bucket; the messiest team-building activity ever!
- Materials required: Buckets, sponges or cups, water, towels
- Number of players: 6-20 (divided into teams)
5. Balloon Pop Relay
Players race to a chair, place a balloon on it, and sit down to pop it. Once popped, they run back to tag the next teammate. The loud pops and occasional stubborn balloons make this game hilarious for spectators.
- Materials required: Chairs, uninflated balloons, pump
- Number of players: 4-20 (divided into teams)
6. Hula Hoop Pass Relay
Teams form a line, holding hands. The first person steps through a hula hoop, then passes it to the next person without breaking the chain. In this relay party game idea, the hoop must travel down the entire line without anyone letting go.
- Materials required: Hula hoops (1 per team)
- Number of players: 6-20 (divided into teams)
7. Shoe Pile Relay
Everyone removes one shoe and throws it into a central pile. At the signal, the first players run to the pile, finds their shoe, puts it on properly, and races back to tag the next teammate.
- Materials required: No additional materials
- Number of players: 6-24 (divided into teams)
8. Crab Walk Relay
Players position themselves in a crab-walk stance (facing upward, hands and feet on the ground) and scuttle to the turning point and back. For added difficulty, they can balance a small ball on their stomach.
- Materials required: Optional small balls
- Number of players: 4-20 (divided into teams)
9. Wheelbarrow Relay
Working in pairs, one player walks on hands while the partner holds their legs. Teams race to the turning point, where partners switch positions before returning. This activity requires strength, coordination, and lots of laughter.
- Materials required: No additional materials
- Number of players: 6-24 (in pairs)
10. Dizzy Bat Relay
Players place their foreheads on the end of a bat, spin around it 5-10 times, then attempt to run to a marker and back. The disorienting effect makes running straight nearly impossible and highly entertaining.
- Materials required: Plastic bats or sticks, cones for marking course
- Number of players: 4-20 (divided into teams)
Indoor Relay Party Games to Rock
When rain pours or temperatures drop, the fun doesn’t have to stop. Indoor relay games keep the energy high while protecting kids from the elements.
These relay party games work in living rooms, gyms, or hallways and need minimal setup. They’re perfect for birthday parties, rainy days, or when you simply want to stay cozy while the kids burn off energy.
11. Stuffed Animal Toss Relay
Each player runs to a line, tosses a stuffed animal into a basket or box, then sprints back to tag the next teammate. If they miss, they must retrieve the stuffed animal and try again until successful.
12. Sponge Water Transfer
Players dip a sponge in water, run to their team’s empty cup, and squeeze the sponge to fill it. Use plastic mats underneath to protect floors. The first team to fill their cup to the marked line wins.
13. Balloon Between Knees Relay
Players place a balloon between their knees and waddle to the finish line without using their hands. If the balloon drops, they must stop, pick it up, place it back between their knees, and continue.
14. Marshmallow Spoon Relay
Each player balances a marshmallow on a spoon while walking to a designated point and back. If it falls, they must stop, pick it up, and continue. Teams can eat their marshmallows after finishing.
15. Newspaper Walk Relay
Teams get two newspaper sheets per player. Step only on newspaper, moving one sheet forward at a time. If anyone touches the floor, that player starts over from the beginning.
16. Bean Bag Balance Relay
Players place a bean bag on their head and walk to a turning point and back without using their hands. If the bean bag falls, they must stop, pick it up, reposition it, and continue.
17. Cup Stack Relay
Players run to a table, stack cups in a pyramid, then unstack them completely before running back to tag the next player. Cups must stay stacked until the player begins unstacking.
18. Sticky Note Tag Relay
Each player grabs a sticky note, runs to a designated wall, sticks the note, then returns to tag the next teammate. Team with the most notes properly stuck at the end wins.
19. Ping-Pong Ball Spoon Relay
Similar to the egg relay but with a ping pong ball that bounces if dropped. Players must chase after bouncing balls while keeping their place in line, creating hilarious moments of controlled chaos.
20. Balloon Sit Relay
Players race to a chair where a balloon waits, sit down to pop it, and then return to tag the next teammate. The loud pops create anticipation and excitement as teams race to finish first.
21. Puzzle Build Relay
Teams work to complete a simple puzzle. One at a time, players run to grab a piece, bring it back, and work together to place it. The first team to complete their puzzle wins.
22. Hat Switch Relay
Players run to where several hats are displayed, put one on, remove it, place it back, and return to tag the next player. Vary the types of hats for extra laughs and challenges.
23. Sock Slide Relay
In a hallway with smooth flooring, players slide as far as possible in socks from a starting line. The next player starts from where the previous player stopped. The first team to reach the finish line wins.
24. Tissue Box Pull Relay
Each team gets a box of tissues. Players must pull out one tissue at a time and run back to tag the next player. The first team to empty their box wins in this surprisingly challenging race.
Relay Party Games to Bond Over
Games that teach children how to work together create lasting memories and skills. These relay activities require coordination, communication, and trust between players.
I’ve found that team-based games help kids learn to support each other while having fun. The shared excitement of winning together builds stronger bonds than solo competitions, and these relay party games are specifically designed to strengthen those connections.
25. Obstacle Course Relay
Each team member completes a different section of an obstacle course: crawling through tunnels, balancing on beams, weaving through cones, or jumping through hoops.
Teams must strategize which player tackles which obstacle based on individual strengths. The combined effort determines success.
26. Jump Rope Relay
Players run to a designated spot, pick up a jump rope, complete ten jumps, place the rope down, and sprint back to tag the next teammate. If a player misses a jump, they must start counting again from zero, adding tension as teammates cheer them on.
27. Potato Sack Balloon Pop
Competitors hop in potato sacks to a pile of balloons, sit or stomp on one to pop it, then hop back to tag the next player. The combination of awkward hopping and suspenseful popping creates moments of laughter. Each player must pop one balloon.
28. Back-to-Back Carry Relay
Partners stand back-to-back and trap a ball between them without using their hands. They must walk to a marker and back without dropping the ball. If it falls, they must stop, pick it up, reposition, and continue. Great for building trust.
29. Cone Stack Relay
Players run to a designated area, pick up one cone, and bring it back to create a team stack. Each player adds one cone, with the goal of creating the tallest stable tower. If it falls, the current player must rebuild it before tagging the next teammate.
30. Costume Dress-Up Relay
A pile of funny clothes- hats, oversized shirts, sunglasses—awaits each player. They must put on one item, run to a marker, and then return. Each subsequent player adds another item, creating increasingly silly outfits as the relay progresses. Photos encouraged!
31. Bubble Wrap Run
Teams must cross a path of bubble wrap without making any pops. Players tiptoe carefully and can help guide teammates across. Every pop adds a five-second penalty to the team’s time. Success requires patience, focus, and careful foot placement.
32. Relay Writing Race
Each player runs to a writing station, adds one word or sentence to a story, then sprints back to tag the next player. Teams read their completed stories aloud at the end. This combines physical activity with creativity and often results in hilariously disjointed tales.
33. Flashlight Pass Relay
Played in a dimly lit room, players pass a flashlight down the line without turning it off. Each player must complete a small task: finding an object, writing their name, or solving a simple puzzle- using only the flashlight before passing it to the next player.
34. Toy Animal Rescue Relay
Small toy animals are placed in a “danger zone.” Players use tongs or spoons to carefully lift one animal at a time and carry it to the “rescue center” before returning to tag the next player. Dropped animals must be picked up and carried again from the start.
35. Foam Noodle Baton Relay
Teams use a pool noodle as their baton, passing it carefully during exchanges. The floppy nature of the noodles makes handoffs challenging and often comical. Players can create special handoff techniques or team chants to add to the fun.
36. Ball Pass Overhead and Under
Teams line up and pass a ball overhead to the person behind, who then passes it between their legs to the next person. The pattern continues until the ball reaches the end of the line. That person runs to the front, and the process repeats until all players have rotated through.
37. Ring Toss Relay
Players run to a throwing line, toss rings onto cones or bottles, and must land at least one ring before returning to tag the next teammate. Teams can strategize about distance and throwing techniques. The mix of accuracy and speed creates an exciting challenge.
38. Candy Scoop Relay
Teams race to transfer candy from one bowl to another using only a spoon or scoop. No hands allowed on the candy! Each player must successfully transfer at least three pieces before tagging the next teammate. The team with the fullest bowl at the end wins.
39. Cup Water Carry Relay
Players fill a cup with water, balance it while running to their team’s empty container, pour it in without spilling, and then run back to pass the cup to the next teammate. Measured water levels at the end determine the winner. Small cups mean more trips and teamwork.
40. Cotton Ball Nose Transfer
Players put petroleum jelly on their nose, dip it into a bowl of cotton balls to pick one up, then run to drop it in their team’s container, all without using their hands. The silly sight of cotton-topped noses running across the room guarantees laughter from spectators.
41. Towel Roll Relay
Players lie on the floor and roll sideways while wrapped in a towel or blanket, moving from start to finish line. Once they cross, they unwrap, run back with the towel, and the next player gets wrapped. This relay party game requires coordination and brings plenty of giggles.
42. Donut-on-a-String Relay
Donuts hang from strings at players’ mouth height. Each player must eat their donut without using their hands before the next teammate can start. The challenge of biting and chewing while the donut swings creates a hilarious spectacle for both participants and viewers.
43. Chalk Drawing Relay
Each team gets a sidewalk section and a piece of chalk. Players run to their section, add one element to a drawing, then return to tag the next teammate. When time runs out, teams explain their collaborative artwork. Combines creativity with active movement.
44. Paper Airplane Throw Relay
Each player folds a paper airplane from scratch, throws it as far as possible, runs to where it lands, and tags the next player who starts from that spot. Teams advance across the field this way. Poor throws can set the team back, while good ones create momentum and excitement.
45. Ping-Pong Cup Bounce Relay
Players run to a table, bounce a ping pong ball, and try to land it in a cup. They must keep trying until successful before racing back to tag the next teammate. The simple concept becomes challenging under pressure, especially as teams cheer and call out tips to their players.
46. Frisbee Toss Relay
Players run to a throwing line and must toss a frisbee through a Hula-Hoop target or to a teammate across the field. Successful tosses earn the team points in addition to racing to finish first. The game builds throwing skills and accuracy while keeping the relay format.
47. Flag Grab Relay
Small flags or bandanas are placed in a central pile. Players race from their team lines to grab one flag at a time and bring it back before the next teammate goes. When flags run out, teams count their collection. Combines sprinting with strategy as players decide which flags to target.
Tips to Make Relay Party Games Safe for Kids
Safety should always come first when organizing active games for children. The most fun parties are those where everyone stays happy and injury-free.
With a few simple precautions, you can make sure these relay party games remain exciting without any unwanted trips to the first aid kit.
Here are some quick tips to keep the games both fun and safe.
- Clear the area of tripping hazards before starting any running games.
- Set age-appropriate distances for races based on the children’s abilities.
- Use soft items like foam balls or stuffed animals for throwing activities.
- Have kids wear appropriate footwear; no flip-flops during running games.
- Keep water available for hydration breaks between active games.
- Demonstrate each game clearly before starting to prevent confusion and collisions.
To Conclude
These 47 relay party games offer countless hours of fun, teamwork, and healthy activity for kids of all ages. From classic sack races to creative paper airplane relays, you now have options for any party setting, weather condition, or group size.
Remember, the true value of these games goes beyond just burning energy. They teach children to work together, support teammates, and enjoy friendly competition. These social skills will serve them well long after the party ends.
Next time you’re planning a children’s event, try a few of these games and watch how quickly the excitement builds. Start with the simpler ones before moving to more complex relays. Take photos, celebrate effort, and focus on fun rather than winning.
What’s your favorite relay game from this list? Try it at your next gathering!
