• Children can get a taste of the Olympics with some friendly competition.race running girl image by Wendi Evans from Fotolia.com
  
  Every four years, the world watches as athletes from more than 80 countries come together for friendly competition. Many children dream of growing up to be athletes and winning Olympic medals for their country. While those goals may be a long way in the future, kids can experience some friendly competition of their own by participating in Olympic-style games.
  
  

Torch Race

• Before the Olympic Games begin, the Olympic torch tours different areas, always remaining lit. The torch-passing tradition began with the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany.
  
  Children will enjoy learning the history of this event, as well as carrying their own torches to light the flame. Children should use paper torches instead of actual fire, but this is a great theme for a race to the finish line. A bowl or barrel at the end of the race can make the torch theme more authentic, as the torch at the Olympics creates a larger flame in a similar bowl.
  
  Kids can run the race as a relay to represent one of the summer games as well as to incorporate the torch theme.
  
  

Downhill

• The Winter Olympics feature a number of downhill racing events, such as skiing, snowboarding and luge. Children can hold their own downhill races in the summer or winter.
  
  Choose a relatively shallow hill; you don't want children falling down the hill and getting hurt. Let them race down the hill on their feet, on sleds (in the snow) or on their sides by rolling down the hill to get to the bottom first.
  
  If you will allow children to roll down the hill in the summer, make sure the area is clear of sticks, stones, glass and other potentially harmful materials. Children will have their faces and bare skin near the ground, so eliminate any hazards from the area.
  
  

Triathlon

• The Summer Olympics feature triathlon events, which combine a number of individual sports together to form one event. Most triathlon events include cycling, running and swimming, but you can incorporate other Olympic events that are easier for the children.
  
  For instance, one leg of the competition may be a sprint to a finish line, while another is a downhill race and a third involves lifting or carrying an object.
  
  You can also combine a number of fun Olympic sports in miniature versions to fit your triathlon. For example, maybe the children have to dribble a soccer ball around a number of cones before continuing to the next section, or they have to throw a tennis ball a certain distance. Combine the children's favorite sports to form your own Olympic-style triathlon.
  
  If you hold a triathlon competition, make sure the events are appropriate for children. They may be energetic, but there are still limits to how much they can do before tiring or hurting themselves.