Reindeer Relays
Can you handle the challenge of being Santa’s reindeer? Test your skills by navigating a special training course this Christmas! From weaving through obstacles to carrying "presents," see if you’ve got what it takes to join Santa’s team and spread holiday cheer.
What Do you Do?
- Design a relay course with clear start and finish lines. Include fun obstacles like weaving through cones, jumping over "snowdrifts" (pillows or small mounds of snow), or crawling under "tree branches" (sticks placed low between markers).
- Children make a line. The first player will hold the present. Each team will carry a “present” through the course.
- The first player (reindeer) wears the antlers, carries the “present,” and navigates the course.
- Once they complete the course, they pass the antlers and the “present” to the next reindeer on their team.
- Continue until all team members have completed the course.
Optional
- Add a “Santa” role who rides on a sled pulled by the reindeer team for extra teamwork and fun!
What Do You Need?
- "Reindeer antlers" (e.g., headbands with antlers or DIY antlers made from sticks or pipe cleaners)
- Small gift boxes (wrapped and empty) or lightweight bags to act as “presents”
- Cones, sticks, or other markers to set up the relay course
- A safe outdoor area with enough space for running and obstacles
- Optional: Sleigh prop (e.g., a sled or large cardboard box)
Safety Considerations:
Ensure the course is free of hazards like ice, sharp objects, or uneven terrain. Set rules for safe play, such as no rough handling of props. Encourage proper winter clothing for warmth and traction.
Benefits:
Physical: Promotes cardiovascular fitness, agility, and coordination through running and navigating obstacles. Builds strength when lifting or pulling “presents” and sleds.
Emotional: Creates laughter and excitement, boosting mood and fostering holiday cheer. Encourages teamwork and camaraderie among participants.
Intellectual:Develops problem-solving skills as players strategize the best ways to complete the course.Enhances understanding of roles and responsibilities in a team setting.
Spiritual: Connects players to the holiday spirit through imaginative play and outdoor interaction. Promotes gratitude for time spent together and appreciation for nature’s winter beauty.