[Preschool] Fun event ideas to include in the sports day for the junior (younger) class
Coming up with events for the sports day of younger kindergarteners is fun, but it can also be a bit challenging.
Especially at schools with a long history, you need to be creative so they don’t overlap with past events.
Here, we’ll introduce ideas for activities that children will enjoy.
There are events the whole class can do together, as well as ones where parents and children cooperate.
Sports day is an important occasion to feel the children’s growth.
Please use this as a reference to plan events that make the children say, “That was so much fun!”
Let’s create wonderful memories together—for both kids and adults!
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[Preschool] Events to include in the sports day for the junior (3-year-old) class! Competition ideas (21–30)
Flower arranging with everyone
Introducing a field day event that even very young children can enjoy: a collaborative flower arrangement race.
Prepare plenty of artificial flowers big enough for a child to hold in their arms.
Try making them in a variety of colors like yellow, red, and pink.
At “Ready, go!” the children run to the bouquet pile and each picks their favorite flower.
They then run with the flower, place it into an empty container at the far end of the course, arrange it nicely, and cross the finish line.
The rules are simple, and it’s a delightful event where you can see the children looking adorable as they play.
obstacle race
Become Tooth-Brushing Man, a hero who defeats nasty cavities, and run through obstacles to reach the goal.
This adorable obstacle race, where little preschoolers run their hearts out, is a highlight of the kindergarten sports day.
At the teacher’s starting signal, children clear the obstacles in their own lane.
Right in front of them stands a big obstacle representing Tooth-Brushing Man’s enemy—the germs.
Once they knock it down with all their might, they dash toward the finish line.
The obstacles aren’t difficult, so even the youngest children can join in and have fun.
circuit training
A circuit activity is a competition like an obstacle course that combines various types of movement.
The goal is to lower the difficulty compared to a traditional obstacle course and encourage kids to move their bodies in many different ways.
We use familiar items from daily preschool or kindergarten life, such as mats and hula hoops, in combination.
For example, on the mat they might do forward rolls or knee jumps, and with several hula hoops lined up they might jump across them or do hopscotch-like steps.
You can have groups compete to see who reaches the goal the fastest, or simply let families watch the children work hard and complete each activity one by one.
It’s a great way for parents and guardians to appreciate their child’s growth through a variety of movements!
footrace
When you think of a school sports day, what comes to mind? For most people, it’s the footrace! Many parents and teachers look forward to seeing the children run their hardest toward the finish line.
Races teach the importance of seeing things through without giving up, and of cheering on friends who are doing their best and encouraging one another.
How fast you are doesn’t matter.
Once they break through the finish tape, praise them wholeheartedly with a “Great job!”
athlete entrance
Why not channel those pre-event jitters—your excitement just before the sports day and competitions begin—into a performance starting from the entrance march, and enjoy the sports day even more? A lively entrance performance will instantly lift everyone’s spirits, thrilling the parents who’ve come to watch as well.
Simply marching in is fine, but adding a little choreography or movement raises expectations, as if the performance has already begun.
Let’s enjoy the sports day to the fullest with a spirited entrance performance set to music.
Funny Relay
How about trying a fun relay that’s a little different from a regular one? All you need are rings big enough for your child to fit both feet inside—hula hoops work too.
Prepare about three of them.
Line up the three rings in a row from the starting line.
Walk forward across them, and when you run out of rings, pick up the one behind you and place it in front to make a path.
Keep repeating this to reach the goal.
It’s fine to play alone, or in pairs as a team! Instead of rings, you could also use seat cushions or sheets of newspaper large enough for your child to stand on.
Tug of war
Tug-of-war is one of the classic events at sports days.
Younger children can try it on their own, or you can mix in older kids from the middle and senior classes—this is also recommended.
When mixing different ages, be mindful of overall size differences across the teams.
The key to tug-of-war is to lean back as if looking up, and pull the rope using your full body weight.
Since the excitement can lead to rope burns or scrapes, consider having concerned children wear work gloves or similar hand protection.