Halloween Costume Relay: Your Guide For This Fun, Wacky Race

If you thought trick-or-treating was the pinnacle of All Hallows’ Eve excitement, prepare to have your mind blown (and possibly your costume, too).

Let me introduce you to the crème de la creep of Halloween games: the Halloween Costume Relay.

It’s like your typical relay race, but with 100% more polyester and a 90% chance of tripping over your own cape.

Let’s get down to it!

What on Earth is Halloween Costume Relay?

Let’s cut to the chase.

Halloween Costume Relay is like a regular relay race, but instead of passing a baton, you’re passing… a costume…and well, your dignity.

Basic objective? Be the first team to get all your members across the finish line in full costume, then back to the start to strip it all off for the next player.

It’s a twisted love child of “The Amazing Race,” “Project Runway,” and your local thrift store’s clearance sale.

The first team to have all members complete this fashion frenzy wins. Sounds simple, right? Ha! You sweet, naive soul.

Setting Up Your Spine-Chilling Relay Course

Before you unleash this costumed chaos, you’ll need to gather a few essentials:

1. Costumes: The more ridiculous, the better. Think feather boas, pirate hats, or some sort of onesie type outfit. If it looks like you mugged a theater troupe, you’re on the right track.
2. Playing Area: Your backyard, local park, or anywhere with enough space for people to run around like caffeinated zombies.
3. Teams: Round up your friends, family, or that group of suspiciously enthusiastic neighbors. Anyone will do, as long as they’re willing to look ridiculous in public.
4. Relay Baton: A plastic pumpkin or a rubber bat works well. Bonus points if it squeaks when squeezed.
5. Start and Finish Lines: Mark these clearly. Use chalk, tape, or maybe some fake crime scene tape for that extra spooky flair.

Now, here’s how to set it up:

1. Divide your victims—I mean, players—into two equal teams.
2. Lay out one set of similar costume items for each team at the start line.
3. Position the teams behind the start line.
4. Mark a clear finish line at the other end of your playing area.

Let the Games Begin!

1. The first player from each team puts on the entire costume as fast as humanly (or inhumanly) possible.
2. Once fully dressed, they sprint to the finish line and touch it with their hand, foot, or whatever appendage is most convenient.
3. They race back to their team at the start line.
4. Here’s the kicker: they have to strip off all the costume pieces, so that the next player can put on the EXACT SAME COSTUME.
5. The next player then slaps on the exact same costume items, races to the finish line, touches it, and returns.
6. Rinse and repeat until all team members have completed the relay.

The first team to have all members complete this fashion fiasco wins.

And by “wins,” I mean they get bragging rights and possibly a pulled muscle or two.

Dress to Impress (or Distress): Picking the Perfect Costume Chaos

Choosing costumes for your relay isn’t rocket science, but it’s not child’s play either. Here’s how to make sure your costume choices are wickedly awesome:

Here’s how to curate your costume collection:

1. Go for the grab-and-go: Think simple pieces that don’t require an engineering degree to put on. And avoid costumes with trailing capes or loose parts (we want running, not ripping)
2. Size matters: Opt for oversized items that fit various body types. Nobody wants to see Uncle Bob squeeze into Little Timmy’s superhero tights.
3. Mix it up: Include a variety of items for maximum hilariousness.

Remember: Whatever you decide, you need to make sure you have two of everything, so that you have a set for each team.

Here’s a quick guide to building your costume arsenal:

Costume Type	Pros	Cons
Onesies	Easy to put on/take off	Can be hot
Masks	Quick change	May limit vision
Accessories	Versatile	Might fall off during run

Dress Code for Players:

• Wear comfortable, breathable clothes underneath. Think gym attire, not your Sunday best.
• Avoid jewelry or accessories that could get tangled in costumes.
• Wear shoes you can run in. High heels and flip-flops are a one-way ticket to Faceplant City.

Remember, the goal is to look ridiculous, not runway-ready.

Making it Work for Everyone (Because You Wanna Be Nice Like That)

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But what about little Timmy who can’t run, or Grandma who refuses to wear anything but her nightgown?”

I feel your pain.

Here’s how to make sure everyone can join in on the fun:

Not everyone’s built for Olympic-level speed-dressing. Here’s how to make sure everyone can join in:

• Age Matters: Simplify rules for kids, amp up the challenge for adults. Just don’t mix up the costumes, or things could get weird.
• Ability Awareness: Create seated versions or shorter distances between start and finish lines. The goal is fun, not a trip to the ER.
• Interest Integration: Use costumes from popular movies or books. It’s not just a game, it’s a pop culture lesson!
• Safety First: Ensure all costumes are safe to run in. No one wants to explain to the paramedics how they tripped over a mermaid tail.

Remember, the goal is to have fun, not to recreate the Olympic trials. Unless, of course, you’re training for the Undead Olympics. In that case, carry on.

Why Costume Relay is the Best Thing Since Sliced Brains

Let’s face it, Costume Relay is definitely in the top 10 of ultimate Halloween games. Here’s why:

Reason	Explanation	Real-life Example
Laughter	You’ll laugh so hard you’ll scare the neighbors	That time Uncle Harold got stuck in a tutu
Bonding	Nothing brings people together like shared ridiculousness	The great pumpkin costume tangle of ’22
Exercise	It’s a workout disguised as fun	Burning calories while burning your dignity
Memories	You’ll create stories to embarrass your kids with for years	“Remember when mom face-planted at the finish line?”

Your Turn

What’s your go-to excuse for when you inevitably trip and face-plant during the relay? (“I was just checking if the floor was haunted, guys!”)