Easy Halloween Game for Kids: Skeleton Hands Relay Race

Are you looking for an easy Halloween party game? One made from Dollar Store supplies and with minimal prep work? Well, you’ve found it with this Skeleton Hands Relay Race Halloween Game!

This Halloween game is a total triple threat! Why? Because first, it is made from Dollar Store supplies so it is easy on the budget.

Second, there are hardly any preparations for this game beyond purchasing the supplies. Of course, you will need to unwrap everything from its packaging, but seriously, that’s it! There will be no need for a late-night game-creating session.

Third, even though the basic concept of this game is classic – kids simply love it! Using the skeleton hands instead of spoons makes it feel new and unique. Enough so that it could even work as an adult Halloween game.

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How to set up Skeleton Hands Relay Race Halloween Game

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The rules and concepts of this relay race game are fairly simple. Let’s use the example of how the game works best when in a classroom Halloween Party.

First, divide the children into groups of around 10.

In most situations, this means you will have two to three groups competing against each other.

Second, have the children line up behind their groups’ Halloween Bucket. Line another Halloween bucket (upside down, so they don’t get confused) about 10 feet in line with the first. The upside-down bucket is their turn-around spot.

Next, place a skeleton hand and the item you will be having them balance in the bucket.

Finally, it’s time to explain the rules to the group and you are ready to go.

Just Looking for Where You Can Buy the Skeleton Hands?

Do you already have a fun plan for the skeleton hands & are just looking for where to find them?

You can find them on Amazon by clicking here!

Keep reading to find out the rules that have worked great in the past for the Halloween game.

Need a fun, printable game for a Halloween party? Check out our How Many Words Can You Make from Halloween worksheet!

Rules for the Halloween Game

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So what exactly are the rules for the Skeleton Hands Relay Race Halloween Game? You can certainly adjust them as needed, but the following rules work well with most age groups.

RULE 1 | When the game starts, the first person in line will grab the skeleton hand from the bucket and balance the plastic eyeball (or snake, pumpkin, etc.) on it.

RULE 2 | If the item drops off the skeleton hand you can either have them start over from the first bucket, or pick it up and keep moving. The second way works best with younger children to keep the game moving along.

RULE 3 | The children must balance the eyeball and walk around the upside-down bucket and back towards their group. When they reach the bucket, they drop the eyeball in the bucket and give the skeleton hand to the next person in line.

RULE 4 | The next person in line repeats the steps above. When the last person in the group drops their eyeball in the bucket, that team has won the game.

Ways to Make the Relay Race More Challenging

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There are a few ways to make the relay race more challenging. The first idea is to make the participants go back to the start if they drop anything off of their skeleton hand. You could have them chant “Monster Mash! Monster Mash!” while they pick it up and run back too!

Another idea would be to use a tower of plastic pumpkins at the turnaround point instead of a bucket. The idea is that if they knock over the pumpkins they have to build the tower before they continue with the race.

Also, you could have them use their non-dominant hand. The ambidextrous people will have a slight advantage, but that’s a perk of being able to use both hands! {wink}

Use multiple rounds to change up the game

Lastly, you could extend the game by adding more “rounds” than just balancing one item. For example, once every team member has balanced a plastic eyeball, they would start overbalancing a fake skeleton or a plastic jack-o-lantern.

If going this route, making your groups smaller will help keep everyone more active in the game. Less downtime means more time for Halloween fun.

Also, less of a challenge idea and more of a fun suggestion, but whenever the first team is done you can have them shout a fun Halloween phrase such as “Trick or Treat” or “Happy Halloween”.

Supplies for the Relay Race Halloween Game

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All of these supplies were found at my local Dollar Tree Store. They stock their Halloween items in early September, so if these skeleton hands have caught your eye – go now!

You can grab your items and knock them off your to-do list before October even arrives.

Or if life is on the crazy side, cross those fingers and hope they don’t run out! If they do, the supply list below can be a lifeline. The links lead to products that are the same, or very similar in nature.

So to make this a true Skeleton Hands Relay Race Halloween Game you will need:

Skeleton Hands

Halloween Plastic Pumpkins

or

Halloween Buckets

Plastic Eyeballs

These are the items you absolutely need to do the Skeleton Hands Halloween game, However, I highly suggest you have at least two or three items for balancing. If the game is a hit, it will give you more options for continuing the fun.

Other items to balance besides eyeballs include:

Mini Pumpkins

Mini Halloween Jack O’ Lantern Containers

Tiny Skeletons

Plastic Snakes

Plastic Spiders

More fun Halloween Activities and Ideas

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So you found this great Skeleton Hand Relay Race Halloween Game idea… but you still need another game (or two) for your party.

Don’t worry – check out my Tips & Tricks for Busy Mom’s Planning Halloween Games post! Hint – it has pre-made games you can order!

There’s also a free printable Halloween Scissor Skill Practice Worksheet you should check out. Or maybe take a peek at our Monster Soup Sensory Bin idea – it uses most of the same supplies as this game.

One last thing, I promise! If you want to be one of the first to know about all of our time-saving hacks for moms or free printable – sign up for our newsletter below.