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Team relay

Straw and Rubber Band Relay

Also called Pass the Rubber Band, Straw Pass

Each player holds a straw in their mouth; the team passes a rubber band down the line from straw to straw, no hands.

people
8–60
time
10 min
energy
High
materials
Cheap to buy
Kids-safeChurch-safe
Watch it played
What you need3
How to play4

Before you start

Teams of 6–10 stand in a straight line. Everyone holds a straw between their lips; the first player has the rubber band hanging on their straw.

  1. 1Pass the rubber band from your straw to the next person's straw. No hands.
  2. 2If it drops, it goes back to the first player.
  3. 3The last player drops the band into the bowl.
  4. 4First team to finish wins. Best of three rounds.
What to say3
  1. 1“Straws in your mouth, hands behind your back — pass it down!”
  2. 2“It dropped! Back to the start!”
  3. 3“Last player! Into the bowl… yes!”
Host tips3
  • Faces end up only a few centimetres apart. Fine for friends, family and kids; with a mixed office crowd let people choose their neighbours or switch to the candy-cane variant with longer gaps.
  • Thick rubber bands are too heavy and slide off. Use thin office bands, and test one on a straw before the game.
  • Teams with a drop near the end lose heart. Make the rule that a drop goes back three people, not to the start, if it's dragging.
Variants2

  • Multiple bands

    Send three rubber bands down one after another. All three must reach the bowl.

  • Candy cane

    At Christmas, use mini candy canes instead of straws and pass a ring or a loop of ribbon.

Safety2
  • One straw per person, never swapped.
  • Rubber bands contain latex — check for latex allergy and keep bands away from toddlers.
Good for

Occasions

ChristmasTeam buildingBirthdaySchoolReunionRetreatFiesta

Venues

Indoor, smallIndoor, largeOfficeChurch hallOutdoor
If this one dies early3