Backyard Relay Race for Kids

Cones, water bottles, or objects to mark start and turnaround points

A plastic egg or ball and a spoon for the egg race

A flat outdoor area with at least 40 feet of running room

Set up your relay course in the backyard or a park. Mark a start line and place a turnaround cone about 20 feet away. Runners go down, touch or round the cone, and sprint back.

If you have enough players, divide into two teams. If it's just you and your child, take turns and time each run.

Start with a classic sprint relay. Line up at the start, say "On your marks, get set, GO!" and run to the cone and back. Slap hands as a baton pass.

Switch to an egg-on-a-spoon relay. Place a plastic egg on a large spoon and walk/run to the cone and back without dropping it. If it falls, stop, put it back on, and continue.

Backwards running relay: run backwards to the cone and forward back. This is hilariously difficult and great for body awareness.

Crab walk relay: sit down, hands behind, hips up, and shuffle sideways to the cone and back. This is the hardest one for most kids.

Hopping relay: hop on one foot to the cone, then sprint back. Switch to the other foot for the next round.

Create a "mega relay" that combines all styles: sprint to cone one, crab walk to cone two, hop to cone three, backwards run home.

Relay races teach kids to wait for their turn, cheer for teammates, and handle winning and losing — social skills wrapped in exercise.

Keep the relay distance short. Twenty feet is plenty for preschoolers. Longer distances lead to walking and lost interest.

If there's only one child, race against a timer instead of each other. "Can you beat 10 seconds?" is just as motivating as racing a sibling.

The egg-and-spoon race is the crowd favorite. Use a plastic egg and a large spoon for smaller hands. Real eggs are messy but unforgettable if you're feeling adventurous.

Rotate who gets to say "Ready, set, go!" Kids love being the official starter.