Ideas for Sports Days and Athletic Festivals in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 became a global issue.
I believe it directly affected the lives of many people.
And the same goes for children’s school life.
Holding events as usual has been quite difficult—many schools are in that situation.
So in this article, we’ve gathered ideas for sports days and athletic festivals tailored to the COVID era.
This is by no means a negative take! It’s full of the spirit of “Let’s have fun even in these circumstances!” Please read through to the end!
- [For Middle Schoolers] A Comprehensive Introduction to Fun Sports Day Events We Recommend!
- [Unique] Fun sports day events that both kids and adults can enjoy
- No worries even in the rain! Fun recreational activities you can do in the gym
- Recommended Songs for Group Gymnastics: A Collection of Tracks to Elevate Your Routine [2026]
- Elementary schoolers can dance to it! Recommended dance songs and choreography for sports day
- [Make Sports Day More Approachable!] Unique Event Names: Fun Competition Titles by Category
- [Challenge the Guinness World Records!] A list of easy-to-try Guinness records
- [Get Fired Up!] Classic Sports Day Events: Ideas for Popular Races and Games
- [For Kids] Exciting Class-vs-Class Games: Team Competition Activities
- [For Elementary School Students] A Collection of Games and Activities You Can Enjoy on Zoom
- From classics to fan favorites! A catalog of music and BGM to liven up your sports day
- [Sports Day] A roundup of popular Japanese songs perfect for mass performances [Athletic Festival]
- [Sports Day] Songs for footraces: tracks that make kids want to run [classics & J-pop]
Ideas for Sports Days and Athletic Festivals in the Face of COVID-19 (1–10)
Cross Tug-of-War
Cross tug-of-war is a tug-of-war competed by four teams.
In a standard tug-of-war, both sides pull on a single rope, but in cross tug-of-war, the rope extends in four directions and teams pull on those.
Tug-of-war has always been a sport that makes it easy to maintain social distance, but there was the issue of having to share a single rope among many people.
With this format, however, the number of people touching any one rope can be minimized.
Also, because force is applied in a cross pattern, there’s a strong element of strategy, and it’s gaining attention as a sport where you can use your wits.
Give it a try and experience the appeal for yourself!
Flag performance
Among expressive performances—the centerpiece of school sports days and athletic festivals—flag performance is ideal for keeping a consistent distance between students.
Each grade or class holds flags in their designated color and showcases synchronized movements to music and calls.
It’s perfect for dynamic performances in large spaces like athletic fields or gymnasiums.
While maintaining distance, it also conveys a strong sense of class unity.
Why not perform to a message song filled with hopes and aspirations for the future?
Shoe-tossing
When it comes to sports you can enjoy while maintaining social distance, whether indoors or outdoors, shoe tossing is a great choice.
There are versions where you aim to land a shoe accurately within a designated area, and others where you compete for distance.
Because shoes can sometimes fly farther than expected, it’s best to play in a large space like a gym or athletic field.
We recommend marking approximate distance lines on the ground beforehand to make recording results easier.
It’s a sport that both athletic and not-so-athletic participants can enjoy, making it perfect for school-wide events like sports days and athletic festivals.
Consider incorporating this activity as a safe option even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Summary of Sports Day and Athletic Festival Ideas to Face the COVID-19 Pandemic (11–20)
Face shield paper balloon popping
This is a one-on-one event that lets you enjoy competing while keeping a comfortable distance from your opponent.
A paper balloon is placed on each player’s helmet, and using soft foam swords, players try to pop the opponent’s balloon.
The first team to achieve three wins takes the match.
All participants wear face shields, providing measures against droplets.
It’s not a brute-force contest; timing and mind games are the keys to victory.
Combining uniqueness with a high level of safety, it’s enjoyable for all ages.
It’s a fresh, person-to-person competition that lightens the atmosphere of the venue while strengthening team cohesion.
Pedometer Dance
The “pedometer dance battle,” where the winner is decided in just 30 seconds, is a new solo competition format that lets participants compete based on visible physical activity.
Each participant wears a pedometer and competes to rack up as many steps as possible within the time limit.
Because scoring is based on a clear numerical value—step count—rather than flashy spins or jumps, even those without confidence in their technique can join easily.
Another key point is that participants can move freely to the music while keeping distance from others and having maximum fun.
It’s a dance competition that successfully balances infection-control measures with entertainment.
Prevention Matters Relay
The Preventive Essentials Relay is a unique relay that incorporates handwashing and gargling as part of the competition, letting participants have fun while raising hygiene awareness.
Before starting, each runner washes their hands until the stamp disappears and then performs six gargles to get ready.
The number of people using the sink at once is limited, and a 2-meter distance must be maintained.
Following runners wait at a distance until the previous runner finishes.
Staff disinfect the faucet after each use by a runner, ensuring thorough hygiene measures.
It’s a relay packed with timely innovations—where adherence to rules and cool-headed timing determine victory—that’s especially worth adopting now.
Giant ball-carrying relay
A team event where multiple people cooperate to carry a giant ball to the goal, the Giant Ball Relay allows participants to avoid crowding with a bit of ingenuity even during the race.
Adding variations to the course—such as circling cones or crossing obstacles—brings strategy and excitement.
By setting a rule to carry the ball by supporting it together from underneath rather than pushing it directly by hand, participants can maintain appropriate spacing as they move forward.
It strongly fosters a sense of unity through coordinated breathing and rhythm, letting participants experience the importance of trust and timing rather than mere competition.
It’s a recommended relay that balances fun and safety.