Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

Sports Day: Circuit Ideas for 3-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 for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

The “circuit” at a sports day is an event where three-year-olds can have fun moving their bodies.

Here, we’ll introduce circuit activities that bring together a variety of enjoyable movements so children can play using their whole bodies.

You can also incorporate familiar items into the events, such as rolling on a mat or hanging from a horizontal bar.

Creating a circuit that matches the sports day theme will make it even more exciting.

We hope you create a wonderful sports day where you can feel the children’s growth!

[Sports Day] For 3-Year-Olds | Circuit Ideas (1–10)

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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Newspaper Spiderweb Circuit

[Ages 0–5] Let’s play boldly! Use the whole room to make a spider web!

Newspaper Spiderweb Circuit

Tear it! Stick it! Crawl through and play! Here’s an idea for a newspaper spiderweb circuit.

You’ll need plastic ribbon (suzuran tape), newspaper, and tape.

This is a great idea when you want to include crawling movements in your circuit.

Some children find tunnels challenging because they’re dark and long.

By tearing and sticking newspaper as part of everyday activities, you can naturally encourage crawling movements! The making process also stimulates children’s creativity—what a wonderful idea.

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Goldfish Migration Circuit

Tomobe Kindergarten Sports Day Event Description No. 6: “Goldfish Moving Operation”

Goldfish Migration Circuit

Finish together as parent and child! Here’s an idea for a Goldfish Migration Circuit.

You’ll need homemade scoops (poi), two kiddie pools, goldfish made from colored plastic bags, and red-and-white flags.

Many children may feel nervous in the unusual atmosphere of a sports day, right? Participating in the event together with a parent can help ease those nerves a bit.

This event requires teamwork between parent and child! Let’s successfully move the goldfish while calling out to each other.

The cute costumes are another highlight, too!

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[Sports Day] For 3-Year-Olds | Circuit Ideas (11–20)

PET bottle circuit

With its colorful look, it really lifts your spirits! Let me introduce an idea for a PET-bottle circuit.

All you need are 2-liter plastic bottles, tape, and paint.

Many people find it challenging to prepare all the equipment for circuit activities.

This idea is appealing because it makes use of plastic bottles, so there’s no need to buy new equipment.

Try creating a course where you walk across the tops of plastic bottles filled with brightly colored water, keeping your balance as you go!

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A circuit that’s fun to crawl through

A circuit that works on various movements.

One action I’d love you to include is “crawling through.” There are many kinds of obstacles kids can enjoy crawling through.

For example, stand a folding mat upright in a V shape, set out an arch-shaped play structure, or build a tunnel with blocks.

Arrange a variety of crawl-through setups so children can enjoy the differences in width and appearance.

It’s also a good idea to add height differences before and after the crawl.

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Walking circuit

A walking circuit, where walking motions are the main focus, is also recommended.

Try installing equipment that makes the act of walking enjoyable.

For example, you could add mats or cushiony materials to make stepping feel pleasant, or set up stair-like blocks so people can enjoy going up and down.

Placing low blocks on flat ground for participants to step over is also a good idea.

These pieces of equipment are perfect for helping people enjoy moving on to the next activity as well.

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[High Difficulty] Challenge Circuit

[Asobo Sports Class] 2-Year-Olds' Circuit Challenge! #Sports #Circuit

[High Difficulty] Challenge Circuit

If the usual circuit isn’t quite enough and you want to show parents your child tackling more complex movements, try adding variations to each activity.

For example, on the horizontal bar, have them try a forward roll; for balance stones, set them up with varying heights; and on the soft balance beam, encourage them to walk as quickly as possible.

Even small changes can significantly raise the overall difficulty.

It’s best if the children can enjoy taking on the challenge within a safe, manageable range!

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