How to Play the Potato Race Game
Children's birthday parties require planning if they are to be successful. To maintain most children's interest, games should require physical activity so the children can burn off energy before sitting down to cake and ice cream. Surprisingly, the simpler games are often the most memorable. One such simple game is the Potato Race Game, a relay involving children and potatoes.
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Instructions
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1
Clear the center of a long room by moving furniture to the side. (If playing the game outdoors, find a level area that is free of holes, stumps or rocks.) Place two 3-foot lengths of masking tape at one end of the room (or outdoor area) to mark the starting line for each team. Place two more 3-foot lengths of masking tape about 20 feet away from the first tape marks and parallel to those marks. These will mark the finish line for each team.
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2
Divide the group of children into two teams. Have players of each team face their starting line, with team members lined up behind one another.
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3
Give a long and rather flat raw baking potato to the first member of each team. Have the players place the potato on top of one foot, adjusting it so it will balance there.
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4
Say "Ready, Set, Go!" and have the players walk to the opposite line as quickly as possible while keeping the potato on top of one foot all the way. Tell participants that if the potato falls off a player's foot, the player must go back to the starting line, re-balance the potato on his foot, and start toward the finish line again.
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5
Tell players that when they get to the finish line with the potato still on their foot, they must take the potato in one hand and run back to the starting line. Hand the potato to the second player on the team, who must balance the potato on his foot and start walking toward the finish line.
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Explain that the first team to return the potato to Player 1 of her team wins. Award prizes (such as candy, small toys or coupons to a restaurant) to the winning team.
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Tips & Warnings
Have players walk a few steps with the potato on their foot to see whether they need to remove their shoes to play or not, as some shoes are sloped too steeply to keep the potato on top of the foot. Players may have to curve up their toes and walk on one heel to keep the potato in place.
Ensure there are no obstacles on the course that could trip players or cause them injury if they fall.
