[Childcare] Recommended circuit competition ideas for a sports day for 2-year-olds

Balance Matters! Circuit

When there are activities that require a sense of balance, participants can enjoy a bit of excitement.

However, setting up tall obstacles can be dangerous, so try to prepare items that are as safe as possible.

One recommended option is a mat.

Roll a mat up into a cylinder and place it on the course.

Then have participants move across it while maintaining their balance.

This way, they can experience a thrill, and because it’s made of soft material, it’s safe even if they fall.

The stability will vary depending on the mat and how tightly it’s rolled, so adjust as needed.

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Challenge the horizontal bar too! Circuit

"Circuit Play" | Gakuenchō Yūiku-en [Nursery/Kindergarten Event]

If you want to include hanging exercises, horizontal bars are also recommended.

When setting up a circuit outdoors, lay mats under the bar and design the circuit with safety in mind.

For adjustable, assembled bars, set the height so it’s easy for children to use.

It may help to set rough time targets, such as how long to hang.

Try to design the circuit so it fosters a sense of accomplishment—so children can say, “I did it!”—and make sure activities stay within a comfortable, manageable range.

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A circuit using traffic cones and hula hoops

★Ages 2–3 (Path to the Vaulting Box: Straddle, Ages 2–3 Edition)

Why not create a circuit using traffic cones and hula hoops? Just setting them up gives a solid circuit vibe.

With the cones, it’s fun to place them in a straight line and run while weaving through them.

You can also combine them with other activities or use them to guide participants from one station to the next.

Another perk is that traffic cones come in a wide range of colors—take advantage of that to add a game-like element.

As for hula hoops, we recommend using them like stepping stones for extra fun.

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Traveling by train

Chihiro, age 2 — nursery school sports day — traveling by train

You’re probably curious about what kind of event “traveling by train” is at a sports day! The rules are very simple: children get inside a cardboard train and run as if they’re traveling along the course.

On the course, they climb over low platforms shaped like hills, weave around cones, and jump over hula hoops—enjoying their trip as they go.

You can also include a game where you prepare puzzles with animal faces and bodies separated; along the way, they pick pieces so the top and bottom match, then assemble and stick them together at the end! It’s sure to be a fun journey for the kids! It’s also adorable if they enter and exit carrying handmade carry-on bags!

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Shopping by car

(Age 2) Sports Day, Part 3

Many two-year-olds love riding tricycles and foot-to-floor cars.

With that in mind, here’s a parent–child event called “Shopping by Car,” where kids can ride a vehicle and go shopping.

Have the children sit on toy cars and line up at the starting position.

At the starting signal, they’ll head toward the basket where their parent or guardian is waiting.

Once they meet up, the child gets off the car, holds hands with their parent, and goes shopping together.

There are various items like fruit, fish, and bread—pick your favorites, put them in the basket, and return to the starting line.

Why not add this fun event that combines a drive and shopping to your sports day?

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Let’s find a home

Kasama Tomobe Tomobe Kindergarten Childcare Information: “Sports Day Series – Nursery (Year 1) – Individual Events”

This event is themed around Anpanman, a character beloved by children.

During the race, have the kids wear baker hats.

At the starting signal, they run and pick up a character-themed bread placed along the course.

Once they have a firm grip so they don’t drop it, they run to the house at the finish line.

Each house shows which character it belongs to, so have them check carefully and place the bread in the correct house.

Besides Anpanman, this activity can be adapted to many other themes for even more fun.

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Sushi Restaurant Race

111001 Sports Day_Parent-Child Event_Sushi

These days, it seems many children list sushi as their favorite food.

So here’s a game to introduce: the Sushi-Shop Relay.

Even kids who aren’t good at running might get excited if the theme is their beloved sushi.

First, a parent plays the role of a sushi chef.

Then you have the children, acting as the rice (shari), carry cardboard pieces that represent the toppings (neta) on their backs.

After that, the children run to the finish line and place their toppings into a lunch box there.

Not only is the activity itself fun, but it’s also highly recommended because you can enjoy how adorable the children look carrying the toppings.

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