The Perfect Child Party Game?

Let's Race!

A tried and trusted child party game has always been in the form of a race. Racing games come in many different varieties, many of them being around for generations. Races that require pairs or teams can be used to help children get to know each other and work together. Most require little planning, just an understanding of the rules, a couple of props and a start and finish line.

Some kids aren't ever going to win racing games so make sure you include other games where you have some control over the winner (pass the parcel) or avoid giving out prizes altogether. Most kids are pretty happy with what they take home in their goody/loot bag.

Back-to-Back
Divide then children into pairs and stand them back-to-back, locking arms at the elbows. The must run from one line to another, face the other way and run back again.

Crocodile Race
Divide the children into two teams. To form a crocodile they need to squat down behind one another and hold on to the person in front. The crocodile moves by making little jumps or bounces and if any of the children lose contact they must reassemble with the front person going to the back before they can continue.

Sack Race
Provide each child with a sack in the form of a pillowcase or potato sack. The children need to stand inside their sack and jump their way from the start to the finisn line. First one over the line is the winner.

Egg and Spoon
Every child gets a hard-boiled egg and a spoon. Must balance the egg on the spoon while running. For older kids can make it that they return to the start if they drop their egg. Replace eggs with small potatoes for younger kids.
 
Doughnut Eating Race
A race for even the most non-athletic kids!
Hang lengths of string from a clothesline, one for each player. Tie a doughnut to the end of each line. Each length needs to be adjusted so that each child has to stand on tip-toe to reach his/her doughnut. With hands behind backs the children have to race to see who can eat their doughnut first.

Drop the Hankerchief
Children form a well-spaced circle facing inwards. Whoever is 'it' runs around the outside of the circle with a hankerchief which can be dropped at any time behind another child. Once a player discovers the hankerchief she then chases 'it' around the circle in an attempt to beat them to the vacant space. Whoever gets to the space first joins the circle and the other person becomes 'it' for the next round.
Sing 'A Tisket, A Tasket' as the game goes on.

Duckling Race / Teddybear Race
A straight race but the children have be in a waddling position with their 'wings' flapping. Any duckling losing balance must return to a waddling position before continuing the race. Another straight race is a teddybear race where the children carry their teddybear's on their back's.

Hot Potato Relay
Children are divided into two teams with each team getting a basket and spoon. Each team member needs to run with the spoon and use it to pick up a potato which they have balance back to the basket at the starting line. The spoon is then passed to the next player who does the same. Make sure the potatoes are well spaced.

Overpass, Underpass
Children are split into two teams and each form a line. They have a selection of objects which have to be passed first along raised hands from the first to the last player in the line. Once the object reached the end it has to come back to the front through legs. To win the game the teams can start passing a second object while the first is still travelling. This will quicken the pace and fun of the game. The winning team is the one that gets all the objects back to the start the fastest.

Tortoise Race
Bicycles can be used or the children can crawl, hop or simply walk. From the starting line the children need to move towards the finish line as slowly as possible but without stopping. They need to move in a straight line, and anyone who stops is out of the race. The slowest person wins.

Three-Legged Race
Use a scarf or large hankerchief to tie legs together. The pair must race as a three-legged person to the finish line. A practice period will help children to get used to being a three-legged person.

Water Race
Divide the children into teams with each team forming a line. At the head of each line is an empty bucket with a line drawn across (somewhere around the middle). Some distance away is a bucket full of water. The frst member has a plastic mug with which they must run to the full bucket and collect a mug of water. The player runs back and pours the water into the empty bucket. The first team to reach the marker on the bucket is the winner.
Children will probably get wet, so best to do on a warm day and have some towels handy.

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