Commando Challenge Relay

Name and Purpose

Commando Challenge Relay builds teamwork and coordination through a fun, silly obstacle course for pairs.
Players practise communication, timing, and shared problem-solving as they move through each station together.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 12-40 players (pairs) | 20-30 minutes | Large open outdoor space or gym, minimum 30m long, clear of obstacles

Materials

4 small cushions
2 horizontal poles on adjustable stands, set at approximately 90cm above the ground
2 hula hoops (used in place of bicycle tires)
4 soft foam bowling pins
Balloons (standard 30cm latex); substitute fabric scarves or soft squeeze balls if balloon latex is a concern
2 sturdy chairs (stable, non-folding preferred)
Soft Velcro ankle links or wide fabric strips for three-legged pairing (one per pair)
4 cones to mark relay lanes

Quick-Run Card

Pair up; link one ankle per pair with a soft Velcro strap.
Balance a cushion on your heads and duck under the horizontal pole together.
Step through the hula hoop as a pair, from head to toe.
Knock over the soft bowling pin with your hand.
One partner blows up a balloon; the other sits on it to pop it, then hop back and tag the next pair.

Setup and Boundaries

Lay out 2 parallel relay lanes with 4 stations each, spaced 5m apart
Signal: 1 whistle = go; 2 whistles = stop and hold position; 3 whistles = gather at start
Check the ground for debris, wet patches, or uneven footing before play
Ensure pole stands are stable and will fall safely if bumped (no sharp edges)
Staff stationed at each end of the relay; one floater monitors mid-course

How to Play

Divide the group into pairs and link ankles with a soft Velcro strap or wide fabric strip.
Pairs line up behind the start cone. The first pair goes on the whistle.
Station 1: Balance one cushion on both players’ heads and duck together under the horizontal pole (set at 90cm). If the cushion falls, stop, replace it, and continue.
Station 2: Both players step through the hula hoop from head to toes without letting go.
Station 3: One partner knocks over the soft bowling pin using their hand. The other steadies them.
Station 4: One partner blows up a balloon and holds it on the chair seat. The other sits down firmly to pop it.
Pair hops back to the start line and tags the next pair to go.
Play continues until all pairs have completed the course. Run multiple rounds with stations rotated or roles swapped.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Complete the full relay course as a paired runner
S (Support): Act as a spotter or cushion-retriever at one station, helping pairs reset and continue
Q (Quiet): Participate as the anchor partner, moving at a steadier pace and guiding the pair
O (Observer): Time each pair, cheer, or count balloon pops for the team scoreboard

Inclusion Adaptations

For pairs who cannot maintain the three-legged link, use a rope held between both hands instead . same teamwork challenge without the ankle contact
Stations can be reordered or skipped to accommodate mobility differences; completing any 3 of 4 stations counts as a full run

Stewardship Moment

After the activity, collect all balloon pieces immediately (latex balloon fragments are a wildlife hazard)
Prompt: “Balloons are the one thing here that we really have to chase down. Every piece counts.”
Consider using reusable scarves or squeeze balls for the pop station in future runs to eliminate balloon waste

Consent

Pre-brief: “You’ll be linked at the ankle with a partner for most of this relay. For those not comfortable with the ankle link, a rope held in both hands is another option . same challenge, different setup. Just tell me before we start.”
Mid-game check: After the first heat, pause. “Everyone good? Need a different role or a rest before the next round?”
Opt-out/re-entry: Raise a hand to step aside. Players can rejoin as a spotter, timer, or rejoin a pair at the start of the next round.

Risks and Mitigation

Pairs falling while linked at the ankle: staff demonstrate slow, coordinated movement before play begins; enforce “walk before you run” for the first heat
Pole stands tipping onto players: use sturdy bases; staff hold poles steady if no stands available
Balloon latex allergy: if any camper has a known latex sensitivity, substitute fabric scarves or squeeze balls at the pop station; staff will already be aware
Hula hoop awkward for tall pairs: allow the hoop to be held and passed over rather than stepped through
Nose station in original (knocking pins with nose): substituted with hand to eliminate face-to-ground collision risk

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Pair Shuffle”: pairs walk linked at the hip (not ankle) for 60 seconds, practising coordinated movement
“Cushion Balance”: each player balances a cushion on their head for 30 seconds, finding their centre

Debrief Questions

What? “Which station was the hardest for your pair? What made it tricky?”
So What? “What did you have to do differently because you were linked together?”
Now What? “When in a team do you need to slow down and match someone else’s pace?”

Cleanup and Reset