Sack Race
A simple hop-to-the-line race, the easiest station to run with the youngest classes.
Line up eight to ten hessian sacks at the start of a 20 metre lane, one per racer, and run the class in heats of six to eight. On go, each child jumps or hops to the finish line without falling out of the sack. Record each time and rank the fastest across the class.
What you need
Eight to ten hessian or pillowcase sacks, a stopwatch, and cones to mark the start and finish lines.
Space needed
A straight 20 metre lane with about 1 metre of width per racer, plus a clear run-off area past the finish for falls.
How long it takes
About 10 minutes for one class run in heats of 6-8. It's the quickest station to run - each extra heat adds roughly 90 seconds.
How to score it
Time. Record each racer's time from start to finish line and rank the whole class on one leaderboard, or take the fastest per heat if you're running it as a knockout.
Ages
Suits ages 5 and up - the easiest station for reception and early-years classes. Shorten the lane to 10 metres and allow two-footed hopping instead of a full jump for the youngest children.
Safety
Check every sack for tears before each heat starts, and keep the run-off area past the finish line clear so a child who falls isn't in the path of the next heat.
Two variations
Variation 1
Partner sack race: two children share one sack, hopping together for a race that rewards coordination over pace.
Variation 2
Sack-and-carry: race with a bean bag balanced on the head, which slows sprinters and adds an extra skill.
Plan the whole rotation
Add this station to a full class rotation timetable in seconds.
Sports day rotation planner
Every class visits every station exactly once.
- Rotations
- 1
- Total time
- 20
- Most at one station
- 6
Some stations host more than one class. Split those classes into teams, or add another activity so every class gets its own station.
Run it live on LiveCupYour sports day timetable
| Time | Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Class 4 | Class 5 | Class 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00–9:20 | Sack race | Sack race | Sack race | Sack race | Sack race | Sack race |
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