Lovely childcare

Perfect for Sports Day! Obstacle Course Ideas Recommended for 2-Year-Olds

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

Here are some of the most popular parent-child events for two-year-olds at nursery and kindergarten sports days.

Participating together with their beloved parents makes for fun, unforgettable moments for the children! There are plenty of activities with cute, familiar themes like sushi, ice cream, and vegetables.

From being carried in arms to piggyback rides, every event values parent-child bonding and is sure to bring smiles to everyone.

All activities are designed with safety in mind, so feel free to choose ones that suit your child’s stage of development.

Simple circuit and movement play (11–20)

Circuit of the large cube

[Childcare Scene] Let’s Play with the Safety Mirror Cubes – Care for 2-Year-Olds at Chidori Nursery School: Chiba City Authorized Nursery #2yearsold #largeblocks #nursery #shorts

Circuit of the large cube

Let’s get moving while we play! Here are some circuit ideas using large blocks.

All you need are large blocks.

Many kids love building houses or making tunnels with big blocks, right? Try adapting these ideas into a circuit course.

A tunnel with clear windows is unique and fun, letting kids pass through with excitement.

Both the children going through the tunnel and those watching will feel the thrill.

Since there’s a chance of bumping faces or falling, be sure to take precautions when using large blocks for physical activities.

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Tunnel-Crawling Race

At 1 year and 9 months old: first sports day—crawling through a tunnel, jumping, and punching.

Tunnel-Crawling Race

When it comes to parent-child events that give kids a sense of accomplishment, the tunnel-crawling race is a classic.

Children move forward by crawling through a tube-like space, making it an activity where you can really feel their growth.

If they’re having trouble moving smoothly, it’s recommended to have teachers or guardians assist them.

You can set out just one short tunnel, or line up multiple tunnels with rest stops in between—both sound fun.

It also gets exciting when you connect it with other activities like an attraction.

Create lasting memories with a sports day event where you can witness your children’s development up close.

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Two-Foot Jump Challenge! Circuit

At Hachiman Nursery School (Fukui City), the Elephant Class (2-year-olds) had a movement activity in the hall! They enjoyed two-footed jumps, the balance beam, and the slide.

Two-Foot Jump Challenge! Circuit

Put your feet together and jump with all your might! This is a circuit play activity where you line up sticks with spaces between them and place round mats for landing between the sticks, so kids can progress by jumping over each stick.

Many children may feel that jumping with both feet is a bit scary at first.

It’s a good idea to start by simply stepping over the sticks, and once they get used to it, have them try jumping.

A two-footed jump involves coordinated actions—bending and straightening the knees, lifting the heels, and pushing off the ground with the toes—and is very important in the course of physical development.

It’s great if kids can master it naturally while having fun.

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Gymnastics circuit using equipment

Gymnastics circuit for 2-year-olds

Gymnastics circuit using equipment

How about incorporating apparatus-based exercises into the circuit? By apparatus, I mean items like mats and blocks.

For mats, you can set them up in a mountain shape so children can enjoy the process of going down.

For blocks, arrange them like stairs so they can have fun climbing over them.

Let’s think of setups that make moving their bodies feel enjoyable.

Also, during the actual event, some children may feel nervous and not move as they did in practice.

I hope it becomes a wonderful sports day where teachers and guardians can watch over the kids warmly.

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In conclusion

The sports day activities introduced for two-year-olds are full of ideas that parents and children can enjoy together.

Events that incorporate kids’ favorite motifs—like vegetables, sushi, and ice cream—are sure to create wonderful memories.

Enjoy a fun sports day while experiencing the joy of moving your bodies and working together as a parent-child team.