All Aboard Relay Races

Train relay races add energy and laughter to any party. Kids run, balance, hop, and complete fun railroad-themed challenges while working together as a team. These simple relay variations are easy to set up and can be played indoors or outdoors.

What You'll Need

  • Open space indoors or outdoors

  • Cones, tape, or markers to create start and turnaround lines

  • Optional props depending on the relay version

  • Conductor hats

  • Bandanas or engineer hats

  • Toy trains

  • Train tickets

  • Cargo items (small boxes, bean bags, blocks, or baskets)

  • Black “coal” pieces (black pom-poms, bean bags, or balls)

  • Golden tickets

  • Whistles

  • Spoons, cups, bins, or buckets

Other Fun Relay Race Ideas

Conductor Hat Dress-Up Relay

Players race to put on a conductor hat, bandana, or train costume piece, then run back to their team and hand it off to the next player.

Coal Delivery Relay

Players carry one piece of “coal” at a time (black bean bag, pom-pom, or ball) from one station to another until their team has delivered the whole load.

Train Track Hop Relay

Players hop or step across “train tracks” made from tape, cardboard strips, poly spots, or stepping stones without touching the ground outside the path, then race back to tag the next engineer.

Passenger Pickup Relay

Players run to a station filled with toy passengers, small stuffed animals, or train riders, grab one, and bring it back to their team’s “train car.”

Ticket Punch Relay

Players run to the far station, grab a train ticket, punch or stamp it, and bring it back before tagging the next teammate.

Cargo Loading Relay

Players race to move small cargo items like blocks, bean bags, mail sacks, or toy boxes from one bin to another, one item at a time.

Train Whistle Relay

Players run to a station, blow a whistle or give a loud “All aboard!” then race back to tag the next player.

Golden Ticket Relay

Players run across the yard to find and collect one golden ticket, then bring it back to their team. Continue until all tickets are gathered.

Mail Car Relay

Players carry pretend mail or envelopes from the “station” to the “mail car” and back. This is a fun simple option for younger kids.

Caboose Balance Relay

Players balance a small train item, ticket, or “cargo” piece on a spoon or tray while walking to a cone and back. If they drop it, they go back and try again.

Engineer Hat Balance Relay

Players place an engineer hat or conductor cap on their head and carefully race to the turnaround point and back without dropping it.

Train Roar Relay

Players run to a station, shout their best “Chugga chugga choo choo!”, then run back to tag the next teammate.

Quick Activity Snapshot

  • Activity Type: Active Game

  • Age Group: 4-10

  • Group Size: Best with teams of 3-6 players. Bigger parties should have more teams.

  • Game Time: 15 minutes

  • Competitive or Cooperative: Small competition

Set Up & How to Play

  1. Divide players into teams. Have each team line up behind a starting line.

  2. Set up the relay station. Place a turnaround marker or activity station several feet away from the starting line.

  3. Explain the challenge. Each relay version has a different train-themed task for players to complete before returning.

  4. Start the race. The first player runs to the station, completes the challenge, and then runs back.

  5. Tag the next teammate. Once they return, they tag the next player in line who repeats the challenge.

  6. Continue the relay until every player has had a turn. If teams are uneven, some players can go twice.

  7. Finish the game. The first team to complete the relay wins, or you can simply cheer for everyone when they finish.