Guide To Racing Games
by L Wiles - 2008-08-01
I think that racing is in our blood. I remember racing with my brothers and cousins as a kid but I don't remember being taught how to race. Sometimes we would have an official race (foot or other) with an obstacle course and an official judge and starter (the one who says “ready, set, go”), but other times we would just have a spur of the moment dash to be the first one in for dinner.
Most forms of racing (foot, bike, skateboard, grass roll, etc) are quite obviously really, really good exercise. But the more complicated obstacle course layouts can also be good for building concentration and can teach kids about thinking ahead. Racing teaches kids about healthy competition, following rules and playing fair. Racing can also promote creativity in children who practice coming up with their own racing courses and race game rules.
Racing History
Foot Racing as a sport dates back at least as far as the ancient Olympic Games, which were first recorded in 776 BC, but probably originated at least a century prior and possibly as early as the 13th century BC. Personally, I can easily imagine young cavemen children playing some kind of racing games.
I'm not sure when racing was first played as a kid's game, but most everyone can agree that racing is a fun, active game that has many, many benefits for kids of all ages.
Racing Start Line and Finish Line
The start and finish lines of a race can really be almost anything. The racing start line can be an official line drawn on the ground, where all players stand behind just before the race starts. Or a start line can be “when we pass that mailbox start running” and the finish line can be “I'll race you to the lamp post”. The racing line, either start line or finish line, can be the edge of the grass, the line of a concrete sidewalk, a handy stick, or the edge of a building. It doesn't really matter, as long as all racers agree ahead of time.
Rules to Racing
Okay, so pretty much everyone knows how to “race”. The basic rules to racing are simple. All players start at a starting line, someone says “ready, set, go” (or something to tell you when to start) and all players head towards a finish line. The first player to cross the finish line wins.
Racing Rule Variations
I can't even count the endless variations of racing games. There are foot races, butt races, wheel barrow races, bike races, skate board races, go-cart and other vehicle races and races to finish a task. There are endless variations even within one type of racing.
A foot race, for example, can be as simple as running from a start line to a finish line or it can be an elaborate obstacle course with tasks to do along the way.
There are some racing rule variations that don't require a start line and finish line. These types of racing games may require you to do an activity for as long as possible and the last one to quit that activity wins.
When it comes to racing your imagination is the only real limit. Here are just a few examples to get you started. Keep in mind that most foot races can also be modified to a bike race, skateboard race, go-cart race, remote control vehicle race or anything else you can imagine.
The Obstacle Course Foot Race
Designate a starting line and a finish line for your racing game. It does not have to be in a straight line, in fact this race works better if the start line and finish line are not in a straight line. If you plan your racing course to be a loop, then the start line and finish line can actually be the same line.
Once you decide on your racing course boundaries you can set-up some tag points. Tag points can be anything, whatever you have handy or is naturally part of your course like a good size rock, a tree, a fence, a pole - use your imagination. Tag points are points that require some type of action before moving forward. It can be a simple tag (touching the point with your hand) or it can be that you pick up a marker or have to hop on your left foot six times or a combination of activities. You move through the course from one tag point to another tag point until you reach the finish line. If at any point you miss a tag or don't do the required activity correctly you must go back to, or stay at, that tag point until the task is completed correctly. The sample obstacle race diagram is just one of a million variations you can create. My obstacle course diagram shows 7 tag points, but you can create as many tag points as you like.
A variation on the Obstacle Course Foot Race is to have the space between the tag points be run in a certain way. For example, from the start line to tag point 1 all racer must run, but from tag point 1 to tag point 2 the racers hop, and from tag point 2 to tag point 3 all racers must sing a song while skipping. On and on with more variations than I can imagine.
Butt Races
Call me silly, but this is my personal, all-time favorite type of racing game. This race can be done inside if you have a large family room, hallway or any other fairly roomy space. It can be a fun way to “run your energy out” on a rainy day when you're stuck inside.
Pick a start and finish line for your butt race. All players line-up sitting square on the bottom with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Once all racers are in positions, someone says “ready, set, go” and off you go “walking” on your bottom first one side then the other so you are kind of twisting at the middle as you go. For this butt race version, you can not scoot your bottom forward in one motion (see variation below), you must “walk” on your butt from side to side. Your hands can not touch the ground to help you, but you can help move yourself forward by bending your arms at the elbow and “pumping” them much like a jogger would. ( Moms and Dads, this one is good exercise for you too.)
Butt Races Variation
A variation to the above butt race rules allow you to scoot your bottom forward in one motions, using your feet to help move you forward.
Foot Racing Games with Partners
Three Leg Race
Two racers stand together, side by side. Tie together interior legs and away you go.
Cross Foot Race
Two racers stand together, side by side. Both racers cross their outside foot over their inside leg at or a little above the knee. Each partner holds the other partner's raised foot. Start hopping and the last team hopping wins.
Wheel Barrow Race
In a safe location free of debris, racer 1 lays face down on the floor, grass or ground with their hands tucked in at the chest as if they were about to do a push-up. Racer 2 stands behind racer 1, bending down racer 2 gently clasps the ankles of racer 1 and gently lifts to a standing position. Racer 2 is now supporting the weight of racer 1. Racer 1 can now walk or even run on their hands with relative ease. Once all players are in position – off you go to your finish line.