Relay Game Idea – Potato Chip Can Relay

A few weeks ago, I helped out at the field day at my kid’s school and was really impressed by one of the games that they played. Both of these were very simple in prep and cleanup and could easily be played at a Memorial Day cookout or other party.

What you need:

• Two empty potato chip cans
• Two balls (baseball sized)
• Four cones or other markers

Before the relay:

1. Set up the cones so that two cones are about 25 feet from each other.

2. Divide the kids into two even teams.

3. Show the kids how to balance the ball on the open end of the potate chip can.

4. Explain that when you say go that they will need to walk or run to the other cone and back while balancing the ball on the potatoe chip can. If they drop the ball, they will need to start over.

5. When they get back to the starting line, they hand the ball and can to the next child. Tell the kids that the first time to have all of their players make it to the cone and back wins.

6. Start the race and watch the kids have fun. When the race is over, congratulate the winning team. If the kids had fun, be sure to have another race.

Meaning of Memorial Day

On the way home from school the other day, my son asked me why they got Memorial Day off school. I realized that we had spent previous Memorial Day having cookouts and relaxing, but that I never explained the meaning of Memorial Day to my kids. I explained to them that the day was to honor veterans who have served our country, but realized that I wanted to help them to understand the meaning a bit more.


After looking online, I found this great article, “Teach Kids the Meaning of Memorial Day” that gives some very concrete ways to help your children understand the holiday. So this Memorial Day we are going to make a flag craft and write a letter to soldiers overseas.

How do you help you kids understand the meaning of Memorial Day?