History Timeline Relay

Teams relay picture cards of major historical events and clip them on a rope in time order, from prehistory to today. Students practice speed, group decision-making, and a sense of historical time.

How to play

1. Make 5 teams of 5. In front of each line, tie a long rope at chest height between two hurdles, with "long ago" and "today" signs at the ends (3 min).
2. About 50 feet away, place a face-down pile of 10 cards per team: cave paintings, the Egyptian pyramids, the Roman Empire, medieval castles, the printing press, Columbus's voyage, the steam engine, the first airplane, the Moon landing, and the internet.
3. On the whistle, the first runner grabs one card, runs back, and clips it on the rope where they think it belongs, then high-fives the next runner.
4. On their turn, a runner may skip getting a card and instead move one already on the rope.
5. When all 10 cards are clipped, the team sits. The teacher checks: one point for each card in its exact spot, with a quick explanation of the order (8 min, 2 rounds with different cards).
6. Final round: the teacher calls an era, such as the Middle Ages, and one runner from each team races to touch the cards on their rope that belong to it (4 min).

Rules

• One card per trip, and only the runner touches the rope.
• The rope is tied at chest height, and nobody runs underneath it.
• Teammates may give advice, but the runner makes the call.
• Run along the side so teams do not cross paths.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with limited mobility: serve as the team's clipper, hanging every card teammates bring and having the final say on the order.
• Students who struggle with reading or students with autism: cards with a large picture and one key word.
• Fitness level: lengthen the distance or use a different locomotor skill out and back.

Learning goals

• Put major historical events in chronological order.
• Make team decisions under time pressure.
• Move quickly and safely in a relay.

Equipment for a class of 25

• event cards: 50
• long ropes: 5
• clothespins: 50
• cones: 10

Teacher tip

Use the events the class is studying in social studies and add a local or state history moment to make it personal.

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