11 Fun Relay Games for Large Groups
Okay, so basic relay races are cool and all, but I’ve got eleven creative relay games for large groups that’ll blow your mind. B
Blindfolds, giant puzzles, and yes, even human wheelbarrows (because who doesn’t want to pretend they’re a living wheelbarrow at least once in their life?).
These games are about to change everything you thought you knew about team building and group entertainment. (Seriously!)
They’re like the “American Ninja Warrior” of party games, minus the scary obstacles and dramatic backstories.
11 Super Fun Relay Race Games for Large Groups
1. Chain Link Ball Pass
The goal: Pass a ball down a line of linked players without breaking hand contact. Get ready for some epic team racing as you compete to move that ball from start to finish! (Think “Mission Impossible” meets a conga line!)
How to Play:
- Create two equal lines of players standing side by side, linking hands to form chains
- First player gets the ball and needs to pass it down without using hands (under chin, between knees – you get the idea!)
- Keep that hand contact going throughout – no sneaky breaks!
- Last player must catch/receive the ball to finish
- Teams battle for fastest time while sticking to the rules
Why It’s Fun: Everyone moves, everyone laughs, and somehow that ball creates pure chaos! (Like trying to teach your cat to swim, but way more successful!)
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Keep gentle hand contact | Yank those arms (we’re not making human pretzels!) |
| Talk to your teammates | Drop the ball on purpose |
| Stay focused but playful | Break that chain |
Different balls = different laughs and keep those chains curved like a banana, not straight as an arrow.
2. Balloon Pop Relay Race
The Goal: Pop those balloons and race to victory! The winning team needs to burst all their balloons and get back to the finish line first (Plot twist: it’s harder than it sounds!).
How to Play:
- Split into equal teams and get behind that starting line. Each team gets their balloons at specific spots
- Your first player sprints to their balloon and has to pop it by sitting or stepping on it (Warning: hilarious chaos incoming!)
- Player tags their teammate after running back to start
- Keep going until all team members have destroyed their balloons
- First team to pop everything and line up wins
Why It’s Fun: Between the balloon-popping suspense and watching your friends bounce around like kangaroos trying to sit on these things, you’ll be laughing non-stop! I know I do.
And if you want to get fancy, color-code those balloons by team (like my aunt Carol’s perfectly organized garage sale labels). All I’m saying is, bigger balloons = bigger laughs when people try to pop them!
Want more fun, large group games? But, maybe you’re short on time? Check out: 9 Quick Games for Large Groups
3. Dizzy Bat Team Sprint
The goal: Challenge your teams to race through a dizzy-inducing relay where each player spins on a bat before sprinting. First team to finish wins! (Like a chaotic Olympic event, but way more hilarious)
How to Play:
- Split everyone into equal teams and line up behind your starting lines
- First player puts their forehead on the bat handle, the other side on the ground, and spins 10 times while keeping the bat on the ground
- After getting thoroughly dizzy, players must sprint to marker and back to tag next teammate
- Keep going until all team members complete their turns
- First team to get everyone across wins
Why It’s Fun: All I’m saying is there’s nothing quite like watching your friends attempt to run straight while their brain is doing cartwheels! (Think “America’s Funniest Home Videos” meets sports day)
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Clear the area of obstacles | Force participation if someone feels uncomfortable |
| Have spotters ready | Allow pushing or rough play |
| Use proper sized space | Skip full spins |
4. Musical Beach Ball Transfer
The goal: Keep that beach ball bouncing between players while music plays. When the music stops – plot twist – you’ll tackle fun challenges or show off your trivia skills.
How to Play:
- Get everyone in a circle or teams and crank up some party tunes
- Pass the beach ball using only elbows or knees (like a penguin at a disco)
- When the music cuts, whoever’s holding the ball takes on a challenge or trivia question
- Hit play and keep the party rolling
- Team that crushes all (or at least the majority) challenges takes the crown
Why It’s Fun: This game’s basically a party smoothie – blend music, movement, and wacky challenges, hit puree, and boom! You’ve got everyone laughing and vibing together.
5. Human Wheelbarrow Challenge
The goal: You and your partner race across a course – one walking on hands, the other holding their legs. (Yeah, it’s exactly as crazy as it sounds!)
How to Play:
- Split into pairs – one “wheelbarrow,” one “driver”
- Wheelbarrow player drops into push-up position while driver grabs their ankles
- Race to finish line – coordination is key here!
- Switch roles on the way back if you’re doing multiple rounds (Plot twist: both positions are equally challenging!)
What Makes It Awesome: You’ll feel like a human shopping cart having a blast! Bonus points for the epic team bonding while trying not to face-plant.
Engage your core like you’re about to take a superhero selfie. (And maybe skip that triple-decker sandwich before playing – no one wants a queasy wheelbarrow!)
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| What’s Up | Objective | How Old? | Cool Stuff | Not So Cool Stuff | Just a Heads Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain Link Ball Pass | Pass a ball down a line of linked players without breaking hand contact. First team to finish wins! | 8+ | Hilarious chaos, teamwork magic, and everyone gets involved. | Can get tricky with strict rules; hand yanking might cause minor ouchies. | Keep the chain curved, not straight, and don’t pick a ball too heavy or too light. |
| Balloon Pop Relay | Race to pop all your balloons and get back to the finish line first. | 5+ | Belly laughs galore! Balloon popping suspense + bouncing players = unforgettable fun. | Stepping on balloons can be harder than expected; loud pops might scare younger kids. | Make sure the balloon materials aren’t slippery, and keep popping safe for little feet. |
| Dizzy Bat Sprint | Spin on a bat and sprint to the marker and back. First team to complete wins. | 10+ | Watching dizzy players stumble and laugh is comedy gold! | Can be uncomfortable for those prone to dizziness; requires lots of space. | Clear the area of hazards, and don’t let players skip the spins (no cheaters allowed!). |
| Beach Ball Transfer | Keep the ball bouncing while music plays; complete challenges when music stops. | 6+ | Music, movement, and wacky challenges = instant party vibes! | Trivia or challenges might stump younger players; requires a fun playlist. | Ensure challenges are fair for all ages, and don’t use overly bouncy balls indoors. |
| Human Wheelbarrow | Race across the course as a “wheelbarrow” with a partner. | 8+ | Ultimate team bonding and core-strengthening hilarity! | Tricky to balance; face-plants might happen if coordination fails. | Encourage players to switch roles and avoid playing on rough or hard surfaces. |
6. Giant Clothes Swap Race
The goal: Teams compete to put on and take off huge clothing items relay-style. (It’s like speed-dressing meets sumo wrestling!)
How to Play:
- Split into equal teams and line up behind starting marks with massive clothing items at each spot
- First player puts on everything (shirt, pants, hat, etc.), runs to the marker, then strips it all off
- Each teammate does the same thing until everyone’s gone through
- First team to finish wins
- Pro tip: Add a time limit to amp up the fun
Why It’s Fun: All I’m saying is, watching your friends waddle around in giant pants while racing the clock is pure comedy gold! The whole clothes-tangling chaos creates non-stop laughter.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Pick durable, washable clothes | Use expensive or fragile items |
| Watch for tripping hazards | Get rough with the clothes |
| Use same-sized clothing | Mix different sizes |
7. Water Bucket Brigade
The goal: Moving water from one bucket to another in a team relay race. Every drop matters as teams compete against time and each other.
How to Play:
- Line up players arm’s length apart with a full water bucket at the front and an empty bucket at the back
- First player uses a cup or small bucket to scoop water and pass it down the line to the last player Everyone must stay in their positions while passing water and returning empty containers (or squeezed out sponges)
- Keep going until time runs out or you reach your target water amount For extra fun, split into two teams and race to fill your buckets first
(All I’m sayin’ is this gets wild real fast – prepare to get soaked!)
What Makes It Great: The chaos is real as players try to balance speed and precision. Plus, there’s nothing like seeing that bucket fill up after all your hard work!
Go for plastic cups with grippy sides, set up a clear running path, and (Plot twist!) throw down some towels at handoff spots – you’ll thank me when you’re not sliding around like a penguin on ice!
8. Oversized Puzzle Assembly Relay
The goal: Teams compete to put together massive puzzle pieces in relay style. Everyone needs to work together while keeping things quick and accurate to win. (Like a less intense version of those game show puzzle challenges!)
How to Play:
- Split into teams and line up at relay points
- Player one starts working on their puzzle section when the game begins
- After finishing their part, they rush back to their team and tap the next player who jumps in
- All pieces must be correctly connected before moving on (No sneaky shortcuts!)
- Final player completes the last section and yells “done” to finish
Why It’s Fun: These giant pieces create some hilarious moments of confusion – all while everyone’s racing against time. And oh boy, watching a massive puzzle come together? *Chef’s kiss*
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Talk with your team | Steal other teams’ pieces |
| Check your work twice | Speed through mistakes |
| Cheer for small wins | Forget about teamwork |
Match the puzzle difficulty to your group. Always!
9. Team Limbo Obstacle Course
The goal: Get your team through a twisty obstacle course while ducking under ever-lower limbo sticks. (Yeah, it’s as wild as it sounds!)
How to Play:
- Create your obstacle course with a limbo bar, cones, hula hoops, and balance beams (nothing too crazy – we’re not on American Ninja Warrior here)
- Teams take turns sending players through
- Lower the limbo bar (or bars if you’re feeling adventurous) after each successful round
- Each successful round earns a point for the team
- The team with the most points wins!
Why It’s Fun: Get ready for Mission Impossible meets The Matrix – you’ll see people bending in ways you didn’t think possible while trying not to face-plant into obstacles.
10. Blindfolded Partner Navigation
The goal: Guide your blindfolded partner through an obstacle course using only verbal directions. Build trust and communication while maneuvering challenges safely. (And maybe find out who’s secretly terrible at giving directions!)
How to Play:
- Set up a clearly marked course with various obstacles and a defined start/finish line (Pro tip: nothing breakable or pointy!)
- Divide into pairs – one person wears a blindfold while the other guides
- The guide must use verbal commands only to direct their partner through obstacles
- Teammates rotate roles after completing the course
- Time each run and keep track of successful completions
- Fastest run or most completions wins!
Why It’s Fun: There’s nothing quite like watching your friends channel their inner Mr. Magoo while trying to follow directions! Plus, you’ll quickly learn who you can actually count on in a zombie apocalypse.
Create a command system with your partner before starting. And if we’re being real here, slow and steady totally wins this race.
11. Over-Under Relay
Goal: Race to be the first team to pass a ball down your entire line using a hilarious combo of over-head and under-leg passes. Each person has to cycle to the front until everyone’s back in their original spots. Sounds easy? Just wait!
How to Play:
- Line your team up single file – the taller they are, the funnier this gets
- First person passes a ball over their head (hopefully the person behind them catches it!)
- Next player sends it through their legs (try not to think about how silly you look)
- Keep alternating these over/under passes until the ball reaches the end
- Last person sprints to the front to start the cycle again – no slow poikes here.
Why It’s Fun: Trust me, there’s nothing quite like watching your friends contort themselves into human pretzels while trying to pass a ball! Between the awkward reaches, the inevitable drops, and someone definitely getting bonked on the head with the ball, you’ll be laughing the whole time.
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| What’s Up | Objective | How Old? | Cool Stuff | Not So Cool Stuff | Just a Heads Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant Clothes Swap Race | Teams compete to dress and undress in oversized clothing relay-style. First to finish wins! | 8+ | Hilarious outfits, wild waddling, and teamwork laughter. | Clothes can rip; tangling chaos might frustrate younger players. | Use durable, washable clothes and watch for tripping hazards. |
| Water Bucket Brigade | Transfer water from one bucket to another in a team relay. Fastest or fullest bucket wins! | 6+ | Messy, chaotic fun! Builds teamwork and precision. | Can get slippery; water waste if not careful. | Use grippy cups and set up towels to avoid penguin-level sliding. |
| Oversized Puzzle Relay | Assemble massive puzzle pieces in a relay format. First to complete correctly wins! | 7+ | Combines problem-solving with racing excitement. | Can be confusing for younger players; rushing may lead to mistakes. | Match puzzle difficulty to the group’s age and keep everyone focused. |
| Team Limbo Obstacle Course | Navigate an obstacle course while ducking under a lowering limbo stick. Most points win! | 6+ | Laugh-out-loud moments as players bend and twist. | Might be tough for less flexible players; obstacles need proper setup. | Ensure obstacles are safe, and gradually lower limbo bars to keep it fun and fair. |
| Blindfolded Navigation | Guide your blindfolded partner through obstacles using only verbal commands. Fastest team wins! | 8+ | Great for building trust and communication. | Frustration may arise if directions aren’t clear; requires safe course setup. | Avoid breakable or sharp obstacles, and create a simple command system. |
| Over-Under Relay | Pass a ball down the line using alternating overhead and under-leg motions. Cycle to the front to repeat. | 5+ | Simple, active fun that keeps everyone moving and laughing. | Can get chaotic with younger players; taller folks might dominate. | Use a light ball to avoid injuries, and ensure everyone understands the over-under pattern. |
Relay Races for Large Groups (My Top 3 Favs!)
I’ve narrowed down the absolute best relay races that guarantee smiles every single time. Here are my top three picks:
- Over-Under Relay: The perfect blend of coordination and comedy! I’ve seen even my most serious students break into uncontrollable giggles when that ball inevitably bonks someone on the head. Plus, watching adults try to master the rhythm is…so. much. fun!
- Balloon Pop Relay: If you’ve never seen your uncle frantically trying to sit on a balloon while an entire family cheers him on, you’re missing out! This game is pure chaos in the best way possible.
- Chain Link Ball Pass – Think “Mission Impossible meets a conga line”! I’ve used this game to teach teamwork to my rowdiest classes, and it works like magic every time. The best part? Watching everyone’s creative (and often hilarious) attempts to move the ball without using their hands.