You’ll need
Setting up
Mark out a straight course of 8–10 metres on grass or soft earth. The children step into the sacks up to their waists and hold the tops with their hands.
The story of the game
In a sack race both feet move together, which is very different from how children walk every day. To jump, the whole sole has to land on the ground, the knees have to bend and the arms help with balance.
How to play
- The children line up at the start in their sacks.
- At “Ready, go!” they jump with both feet towards the finish line.
- Anyone who falls gets up and carries on from where they were.
- The first across the finish line wins. If you like, play it in teams, as a relay.
Variations (3)
- For little ones, use a pillowcase instead of a sack and shorten the course.
- Obstacle course: put a cushion in the middle of the track for them to go round.
- In pairs: two children each put one foot in the same sack.
For parents
Falling over is very common in this game. Choose soft ground such as grass or sand, and treat falling as the funny part of the game.
What to wear on their feet
Bare feet on grass, or shoes with a flexible sole.
Safety
Don’t play on concrete. Don’t use plastic bags. Always play these games with an adult watching, in a way that suits your child’s age and the surface underfoot. Keep games with small pieces (marbles, five stones, mangala) away from children under 3.
