![[Obstacle Course Relay] Recommended Ideas & Fun Gags to Add to Your Sports Day](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aEDWFWcm4VY/sddefault.jpg)
The “obstacle relay,” where teammates pass the baton while overcoming various obstacles, is a super fun event that excites people of all ages!
In this article, we introduce ideas for obstacle relays.
Hurdles and net crawls are classics, but this time we’ve also picked out some quirky, laugh-inducing ideas with a twist.
If you’re thinking, “Obstacle relays are a must, but the same old traditional course is boring!” then take a look for inspiration!
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[Obstacle Relay] Recommended Ideas and Fun Skits to Add to Your Sports Day (1–10)
Put the ball IN the bucket on your back!
Let me introduce a great obstacle relay activity: “Bounce the ball into the bucket on your back!” This is played in pairs—one person wears a bucket on their back, and the other bounces a ball so it’s caught in the bucket.
Because the bucket is behind the player, it’s hard to pick up, so good coordination between the two is essential.
It’s thrilling to watch, and its novelty is sure to draw attention.
Work together to match your timing while also adjusting how hard you bounce the ball.
Three-legged obstacle relay
An obstacle relay done three-legged really gets everyone excited, because you can’t win just by being fast.
Especially when partners have different athletic abilities, teamwork is essential to match each other’s pace, so a sports day like this can teach the importance of syncing up.
Also, the course is both simpler and more difficult than one designed for a single runner, which makes it easier to come up with variations—another nice perk.
Because spectators can easily imagine how tricky it is, it’s a thrilling event whether the pair is fast or slow.
dizzy bat
The “spinning bat” game involves placing your forehead on a bat, spinning around, and then trying to move forward while dizzy.
You often see it on TV variety shows.
If you include it in an obstacle race, it’s best to decide the number of spins in advance.
It works on its own, but combining it with other challenges—like carrying a ping-pong ball while dizzy—will increase the difficulty and make it even more exciting.
Kendama
The traditional Japanese toy, kendama.
How about incorporating a basic kendama trick—placing the ball on a cup—into an obstacle course? You could make it so participants clear the stage by attempting it on the spot and landing the ball on the cup, or, if you have a group of skilled players, it might be fun to specify intermediate or advanced tricks.
The more you rush to clear it, the shakier your hands get and the harder it is to succeed, so focus on the kendama right in front of you and take on the challenge with full concentration.
stilts
How about incorporating stilts, a traditional plaything, into an obstacle race by having participants cover a designated section on stilts? Stilts require control and balance, and just riding them normally is quite challenging.
When it’s part of a relay, the urgency of “I have to pass the baton quickly!” adds pressure, so many people will likely struggle more than usual.
Rushing and leaning forward can lead to injuries, so cheers from supporters—like “Stay calm!”—will probably be important too.
tire pull
How about incorporating tire pulling—often done as part of training in school clubs—into an obstacle race? One of the appeals of obstacle races is that participants can compete in more than just running speed, so comparing strength should get both participants and spectators excited.
In addition to tying a rope to the tire and pulling it, we also recommend a rule where participants push the tire by hand.
balance beam
If you want to add an easy obstacle, a balance beam is highly recommended.
It’s a simple setup where participants just cross without falling, so it’s easy to incorporate into nursery and kindergarten sports days.
On the other hand, it’s also great for events where adults participate.
Crossing a narrow balance beam can feel surprisingly challenging for adults with larger feet.
To prevent serious injuries in case someone falls, it’s reassuring to take precautions such as placing mats around the beam.