How to Do a Mail Pony Express Relay Race

According to the Museum of Natural History, mail was delivered in the 1860s by Pony Express riders. Because horses would tire, stations were set up every ten miles. The express riders would quickly change horses at these stations, much like a relay race, until they reached their intended mail delivery destination. After students hear about the Pony Express in history class, they can participate in a Pony Express mail relay race of their own.

Things You'll Need

  • Cones
  • Stick ponies
  • Shoulder bags
  • Pieces of mail
  • Whistles
  • Cowboy hats
  • Neckerchiefs
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Set up a cone every 25 to 50 feet depending on the age of children involved in the Pony Express relay race. You will need one cone for each child.

    • 2

      Write a letter about what life was like for U.S. citizens during the time of the Pony Express. Place this letter in a shoulder bag.

    • 3

      Give each child a cowboy hat, whistle, and a neckerchief. Have one child stand at each cone with a stick horse.

    • 4

      Give the child at the first cone the shoulder bag containing the mail that needs to be delivered to the class at the end of the race.

    • 5

      Instruct each child to blow his whistle when he is approaching the next student's way station. The American Museum of Natural History notes that Pony Express riders blew their horns to let the station attendees know they were almost there.

    • 6

      Say "Go!" and have the first student gallop the stick horse over to the first cone. The student must then stop, remove the mail bag and pass it on to the next Pony Express rider. Continue until the last student makes his way to the final cone with the mail bag.

    • 7

      Gather all the student Pony Express riders around the last cone and have them read the letter in the bag.