Sack Race Derby for Kids

A pillowcase or burlap sack for each racer

Chalk or cones for the start and finish lines

Grab a pillowcase for each racer. Burlap sacks from a garden supply store are classic, but pillowcases work just as well for smaller kids.

Mark a start line and finish line about 25 feet apart on grass. Don't race on pavement — falls are inevitable and grass is forgiving.

Each racer steps into their pillowcase, placing both feet inside. Hold the top edges of the pillowcase at waist height with both hands.

Line up at the start. On "Ready, set, GO!" everyone hops forward toward the finish line.

The rule: both feet stay inside the sack at all times. If you fall, get up and keep hopping from where you fell.

First person across the finish line wins the heat. Falls and stumbles are expected and hilarious — that's the whole charm.

Run multiple heats if you have a lot of racers, then bring all heat winners together for a championship race.

For a relay version: racers hop to a cone, step out, pass the sack to the next teammate, who steps in and hops back.

Sack racing is pure leg power and balance. Two-footed hopping in a constrained space forces your child to use muscles they don't normally engage.

Pillowcases can be slippery. If they keep sliding down, tie a loose knot in the excess fabric at waist height so there's less to hold.

On grass is safest. The combination of restricted movement and speed guarantees falls. Grass cushions the landing.

For very young participants (5-6), shorten the race distance to 15 feet. Twenty-five feet in a sack is genuinely tiring.

Make it a party game. Sack races work for birthdays, field days, family reunions — any gathering with 4+ kids and some outdoor space.