How to Have a Hot Potato Race

Hackysacks make good hot potatoes.

Children have played Hot Potato in one form or another since the late seventeenth century. Back then, kids used a lit candle but today a small beanbag or another easy to catch item will keep little hands safe. In addition to regular Hot Potato where the children stand in a circle and quickly pass the beanbag to the next in line, a racing version offers older kids the chance to combine their quick feet with their nimble hands.

Things You'll Need

• Even number of children (at least 12)
• 2 small beanbags
• 2 referees
• 2 loud whistles

Instructions

1. Allow the children to split into two teams or draw names out of a hat to determine who is on each team. In the Hot Potato Race, the kids will be competing against the other team and at the same time, they will be competing against their own teammates.

2. Designate a starting line and a finish line at least 50 yards apart unless the children are very young. In that case, you can make the finish line closer. In addition, you will designate two more lines. These lines will run from the start line to the finish line and they are the guides for the path each team must follow. These lines must be at least 10 feet apart and they will run parallel to each other.

3. Divide each team in half and place one-half on one side of their line facing their teammates who are on the other side. If there are 12 children total, there will be 3 children facing their 3 teammates on each side of their team line. The children will stand shoulder to shoulder with one child standing closest to the start line.

4. Enlist one referee per team to monitor the race and blow the whistle if a child drops the beanbag. In that case, the entire team must “freeze” until the person the bag was intended for retrieves it and the referee blows the whistle again.

5. Start the race by handing one bag to a child at the furthest end of the line on each team. When the race starts, that child will quickly throw the beanbag to his teammate across from him and then he will immediately run to the head of the line, taking his new position at the front.

6. Ask each child to repeat this action and soon the kids will be throwing the beanbag and running quickly to line up again. As the kids run to the head of the line, the line moves towards the finish line.

7. Blow three times quickly on the whistle to indicate a “freeze” and elimination. When this happens, the referee for each team will determine either who is holding the bag or who just tossed it. That person must sit down and the race continues with another whistle blow. The team who has all its remaining members across the finish line first, wins.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow the children to practice the technique before the game starts since it takes a little time to get it right.