Tapestry of Faith: Love Connects Us: A Program on Living in Unitarian Universalist Covenant for Grades 4-5

Activity 2: Multi-Legged Race Game

Activity time: 10 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Lengths of rope, about two- to three feet each-one for each pair of participants

Preparation for Activity

  • Make sure you have an open space long enough for a race, wide enough for the whole group to stand abreast, preferably with a soft surface-i.e., carpet or grass instead of concrete or asphalt. If possible, do this activity outdoors.

Description of Activity

This game "ties together" participants a literal way and provides a fun way for them to experience competition and cooperation. The general idea is that of a three-legged race, in which two people stand side by side, tie their adjacent legs together, and race against other pairs. In this game, however, participants will race several times: first on their own, then tied to one other person, and then tied together with more people, and finally, tied together as an entire group.

Mark a start line and a finish line. The lines need to be long enough for the entire group to stand abreast.

Line up the participants at the start line and have everyone run the race.

Then, return everyone to the start line. Form pairs. Give each pair a length of rope and have them stand side by side and tie their adjacent inner legs together. Have another race, this time with all the pairs competing against each other. Then, return everyone to the start line and form two teams. (If the group is four or fewer, skip the team race.) Distribute more lengths of rope and have each team stand in a row and tie their legs to the adjacent legs of the people standing next to them. Have the two teams race to the finish line.

Finally, have the whole group stand in one row along the starting line and tie their legs so everyone but the two end participants has both legs tied to a person next to them. Ask participants to think about how they can complete the race in the fastest possible way without anyone falling over. When they are ready, run the race one final time.

Ask participants to reflect on their experience:

  • How did they feel when they won a race?
  • How did they feel when they lost?
  • Which version of the race was the most fun? Why?
  • What strategies worked best for the groups that were tied together?

Including All Participants

If any participant uses a wheelchair or has accessibility or mobility limitations, use an alternate activity.