Stocking Fill-Up Spoon Relay: Rules and Tips

The Stocking Fill-Up Spoon Relay is a team race where each player carries a small item on a spoon to a stocking across the room. It is good for classrooms, family parties and church groups, and it needs very few supplies.

How to Set Up

1. Make two or more teams of equal size.
2. Hang or place one stocking for each team on a chair at the far end of the room.
3. Put 10 small items in a bowl at each team’s starting line.
4. Give each team a spoon. If you have extra spoons, give one to each player.
5. Mark the start line with tape or a rug.

How to Play

1. The first player in each line puts one item on their spoon.
2. At “go,” they walk or hurry to the stocking while holding the spoon in one hand only.
3. They drop the item into the stocking without touching it with the other hand.
4. If the item falls on the way, they stop, pick it up with the spoon only and carry on.
5. They return to the line and pass the spoon to the next player.
6. The game goes on until a team’s bowl is empty. The first team to finish wins.

Scoring and Winning

The first team to put all items in the stocking wins the round. You can also count the items in each stocking after a set time, like three minutes, and award one point per item.

Tips for a Fun Game

• Tell players to walk fast, not run, to keep the items on the spoon.
• Pick a light item for kids and a heavier one, like a wrapped candy, for adults.
• Use a bigger spoon for little ones.
• Keep the floor clear of rugs and toys.
• Have a helper stand by each stocking to hold it steady.

Variations

• Mouth Spoon: Hold the spoon in your teeth instead of your hand. This is harder and very funny.
• Obstacle Course: Add a chair to walk around or a pillow to step over.
• Little Kids Version: Use big pom-poms and a short path of only a few steps.