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!
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[Sports Day] For 3-Year-Olds | Circuit Ideas (1–10)
A circuit where you role-play as a ninja

Nin-nin! Swift and stylish moves! Here are some circuit ideas for becoming a ninja.
Prepare a ninja transformation set made from construction paper, a balance beam, a jump rope, mats, and so on.
The video introduces circuit ideas for three-year-olds, but with a few tweaks, many of them can be uniquely adapted for two-year-olds as well! Let’s use the balance beam, jump rope, and mats to fully get into ninja mode.
Wearing a ninja dress-up set to boost the mood is a great idea, too.
A circuit of hula hoops and mats

This is an idea to set up hula hoops and mats outdoors to create a circuit.
For the areas with hula hoops, move forward while hopping like hopscotch.
For the areas with mats, move forward by doing forward rolls or rolling along.
Please have a teacher on standby to assist and to make sure no one falls off the mats.
You can also include three-dimensional mats, such as triangular ones.
Try arranging them as equipment to walk across like a balance beam or to climb over.
A circuit made with pool cues

Let’s play while getting creative! Here are some circuit (obstacle course) ideas you can make with pool noodles.
All you need are pool noodles and a utility knife or scissors.
Cut the long pool noodles in half and use them for the course! Place the halved pool noodles on the floor and include a tightrope-walk section where kids crawl or walk along them.
You can also roll balls along the top of the noodles, or connect them into circles to make ring shapes—great ideas to try!
Circuit of/for interlocking mats
@mammybear_ Using 100-yen shop interlocking mats and non-slip plates, I made a bumpy road for circuit play. It doesn’t take up much space and is easy to put away.ChildcareMade with items from a 100-yen shop#Circuit PlayChildren's playRecommended
♬ Excited! Cheerful and happy! Whistling ukulele! – harryfaoki
Let’s make a bumpy road! Here are some ideas for a circuit course using interlocking foam mats.
You’ll need interlocking mats from a 100-yen shop, a utility knife, small bowls, and tape.
First, cut the mats into circular shapes.
Next, fit the bowls into the holes and secure them with tape.
Finally, flip the mats over, and you’re done! The key is to place the bowls to match a child’s stride.
Interlocking mats are great because you can assemble the course in any shape you like!
Let’s go to the park.
https://www.tiktok.com/@5kidsmamaxtokumeikibou/video/6743345147280444674How about incorporating children’s favorite playground activities into a sports day event? In this event, the course is designed like a park, and the children make their way through various obstacles.
Crawling through tunnels, jumping, and hanging, they can move their bodies to the fullest while feeling as if they’re at the playground.
By preparing obstacles that match the children’s abilities, the parents watching can also appreciate their kids’ growth.
Milk Carton Circuit
@kazenomori.piconursery Super easy! The recipe is in the comments!#Nursery school#HandmadeToysTranslationLifehackChildcareNursery teacher / Childcare worker#Indoor Play#Milk carton#Pico Nursery
Shuwa-shuwa Honey Lemon 350ml – Sharou
Make it with everyday materials! Here are some circuit course ideas using milk cartons.
All you need are milk cartons and tape.
After cutting the cartons, connect them using an accordion fold.
They can be used as lane dividers, and it’s also fun to incorporate them into activities by putting organza fabric or colorful balls inside the cartons.
For children with allergies, using juice or tea cartons instead of milk cartons is a safer option.
Give it a try!
Balance Ball Circuit

Here are some ideas for a circuit using a balance ball.
All you need to prepare is a balance ball.
Many people may think of it as something adults use for rehabilitation or training, but there are plenty of fun ways to play with a balance ball, so I highly recommend it! Of course, it’s great for practicing balance and strengthening the core, but you can also incorporate activities suited to each child’s stage of development—like crawling under a springy, bouncy balance ball or clinging to it tightly and using their whole body.




