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    Races for Small Spaces

     

    Here is another type of action game, the relay race. These races are challenging and exciting and keep everyone involved all the time. You can play them indoors or out, but the ones in this section are all great for indoor parties where space is limited. See "Hilarious Games" for more races.


    All Tied Up    up
    Players: 8 or more
    Equipment: A ball of soft string for each team (with the same length of string on each)
    Preparation: None
    This funny relay calls for two teams of 4 or more players. The teams line up side by side and face each other. The first player on each team is given the ball of string. Then at a starting signal, the first player holds onto the end of the string and hands the ball to the next player. The next one holds onto the string and unwinds enough so that he or she can pass the ball along to Player #3. The ball is handed along the line, unrolling as it goes.
    When the ball of string gets to the person at the far end of the line, that player hands the ball behind his or her back to the player it just came from. That player passes it back, with each player holding on as well as possible, till it gets to the front of the line. Then Player #1 pulls the string around and starts handing the ball along towards the end of the line again.
    You see what's happening? The teams are getting wrapped up by the string. The first team to get wrapped up and use all the string wins.
    Now you can have an untying relay with the same rules, as each team tries to untie itself first.
    Print version

    Doughnut Despair    up
    Players: 8 or more
    Equipment: 2 doughnuts (plus a few spares);
    An ice-cream stick for each player (plus a few extras in case of breakage)
    Preparation: None
    Divide the group into teams of equal number and line them up single file. Arm each player with an ice-cream stick and give each of the leaders a doughnut. The leader spears the doughnut with the ice-cream stick in his or her mouth and tries to pass it to the ice-cream stick of the next player. No hands allowed.
    When the doughnut has been passed down the line, stick-to-stick, and reaches the last player, that player runs with ice-cream stick and doughnut to the head of the line, taking the first position in the file. Everybody moves back a step. The doughnut is passed again. Each of the players must carry it, and the first team to finish the whole sequence wins.
    If the doughnut should fall from the ice-cream stick, it must be picked up with the stick alone, with no hands touching. You'll find ice-cream sticks are a bit fragile and can't withstand much pressure.
    Print version

    Fancy Dude Relay    up
    Players: 6-30
    Equipment: 2 assortments of old clothes, with similar articles in them (one for each team)
    Preparation: None
    Similar to the "Suitcase Relay," this race requires dressing up, but instead of dressing yourself, you dress the team captain.
    Divide the group into equal teams. Each team chooses a captain who stands about 20 or 25 feet (6 or 8 meters) away. At a signal, the first player on each team runs up to the captain and puts a piece of clothing on him or her, such as a hat, shoe, scarf, handbag, umbrella, etc. Then this player runs back and tags the second player on the team.
    The second player runs to the captain, adds another article of clothing and runs back to tag the next player. The third player dresses the captain some more and so on, until each member of the team has added an item of clothing. You can imagine what the captain looks like after everyone on the team has had a chance to dress him or her up!
    The team that finishes first wins.
    Print version

    Fast Lemon    up
    Players: 8 or more
    Equipment: 2 pencils and 2 similarly-shaped lemons
    Preparation: None
    No, this is not a game with new cars but with real lemons!Divide the group into two or more equal lines. Give the leader of each line a full-length pencil and a full-grown lemon. As the teams line up single file, mark a starting line and a finish line along the floor (about 20 feet or 6 meters away at the most).
    The object of the game is to push the lemon with the pencil along the floor in a straight line - if you can. Each player must push it to the finish line and back to the next teammate in line. The team to finish first wins.
    What you discover is that the lemon always keeps rolling, despite a slight wobble. You'll have trouble keeping it in your lane, so be sure the furniture is pushed back.
    A hint from experienced lemon-rollers: don't push too fast. This generally causes the lemon to roll the wrong way.
    Print version

    Hair Ribbon Relay    up
    Players: 8-48
    Equipment: One hair ribbon for each team
    Preparation: None
    Two equal teams line up single file. The first player in each line has a long hair ribbon.
    At a signal, the first player in each line turns around and ties the ribbon, making a bow, on the head of the next player. Then that player takes it off, turns and ties the hair ribbon the head of Player #3. This goes on until the last player unties the ribbon. The first team to finish wins.
    A hair ribbon is the funniest object to play this relay with, but you can use other objects of clothing for variety. Try gloves, or a sweater that buttons down the back!
    Print version

    Japanese Crab Race    up
    Players: 2-60
    Equipment: None
    Preparation: None
    Have you ever tried to run backwards on all fours? Or on your feet and hands? You can run this race either way - or try to. It's very difficult to race backwards. You lose your sense of direction and even become powerless to guide your movements! But it can be done.
    Running this race on all fours, the team members position their toes at the starting point and "knee" backwards to the finish line, whereupon the next team mem­ber starts out. Score one point for every team member who gets to the finish line. This race can also be run backwards standing up, with both hands and feet on the floor, if you prefer.
    If you want, you can have each racer come all the way back to the starting point again before the next one starts out. In that case, finishing gets one point and returning to "GO" gets another.
    Print version

    Magnetism    up
    Players: 2 or more
    Equipment: A paper straw for each player;
    A couple of pieces of cleansing tissue, such as Kleenex
    Preparation: None
    This relay produces many laughs. Divide the group into two or more teams. Each player is given a straw. The lead player on each team is also given a small piece of Kleenex or other tissue. By drawing in his or her breath, the leader holds the tissue on the end of the straw and passes it on to the next teammate. The idea is to pass it to each member of the team. If the tissue falls on the floor, it must be picked up the same way, by drawing breath through the straw.
    The team that finishes first wins. If only a few people are playing, pass the paper back in reverse order.
    Print version

    Orange Race    up
    Players: 8 or more
    Equipment: An orange for each team
    Preparation: None
    This popular icebreaker never fails to win laughs and sometimes develops a contortionist or two.
    Start by dividing the group into equal teams, males and females alternating, if possible. The idea is to pass an ordinary orange from one member of the team to the next, right down the line, using your chin and neck alone.
    The first person in line tucks the orange under the chin. The next player must remove the orange with his or her own chin and be ready to surrender it to a third chin. First team to pass the orange down the whole line wins.
    Tf the orange falls to the floor, the player with the clumsy chin must pick it up by chin alone!
    Print version

    Pinocchio Race    up
    Players: 10-20
    Equipment: 2 matchbox
    Preparation: None
    Divide the group into two teams. The object of the game is to pass the matchbox top from player to player, but you're not allowed to touch it with your hands. You have to pass it on your nose. If the matchbox drops, the player who had the matchbox last may pick it up by hand; otherwise, no touching. First team to get the matchbox all the way to the back of the line and forward again wins.
    Print version

    Salty Whistle Race    up
    Players: 2 or more
    Equipment: I salty soda cracker (biscuit) for each player
    Preparation: None
    Have you ever tried to whistle with your mouth full? Here is a whistle race which is lots of fun.
    Any number can take part in the race, but only two people play at one time.
    Choose two teams, line them up side by side with the teams facing each other. At a signal, the first member of each team starts eating a salty cracker. When finished eating, that player must whistle the first few notes of a song. Then the next player on the team eats a cracker and whistles a tune.
    This goes on until all the players on a team have had a chance to eat a cracker and whistle. The first team to finish wins.
    Warning: It's a good idea to have a judge watching to make sure everyone eats the whole cracker and whistles.
    Print version

    Suitcase Relay    up
    Players: 8-24
    Equipment: 2 suitcases of old clothes (one for each team)
    Preparation: None
    Two teams of equal size line up behind the starting line. Abut 15 feet (5 m) away stand two suitcases full of clothing. The suitcases must contain similar articles of clothing. For instance, if you have a hat, a skirt, a jacket, a tie, a scarf, a belt and a necklace in one suitcase, you must have the same items in the other.
    At a signal, the first person on each team runs to the team's suitcase and opens it up. The player dresses in all the clothes in the suitcase, closes the suitcase and runs back to the starting line, carrying the suitcase.
    There he or she takes off all the clothes and puts them back in the suitcase, closes it, and runs back to leave it in its original position. Then this player runs back to the team and tags off the second player in line, who goes through the same actions. This continues until every player has had a turn. The team to finish first wins.
    Print version

    The Mechanical Doll Race    up
    Players: 2 or more
    Equipment: None
    Preparation: None
    Played with partners, this race can be run as a relay or as a contest between 2 couples.
    One partner stands perfectly rigid, as if he or she were a mechanical doll. The other partner lifts the doll's foot and places it forward, walking the "doll" to the goal, one foot at a time. First couple or team to reach the goal and return wins.
    Print version

    William Tell Race    up
    Players: 2 or more
    Equipment: An apple for each player or each team
    Preparation: None
    William Tell shot the apple off a head - it's your job to keep it on! At a starting signal, players balance an apple on top of their heads and then walk to the finish line. If the apple falls, off, its back to the starting line! Two can play at a time, or you can work the game in teams.
    Print version


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