[Handmade & Instagrammable] Decorations for Sports Day: Ideas and Inspiration

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
lighterutatane
A person from the melodic hardcore boom generation who loves music, photography, and eating. I’ve been going to live houses for over 20 years. I’m at the age where summer festivals are starting to feel tough physically. I sometimes try shooting live photos and videos for MVs. I’m not great at English, so I often listen to straightforward Japanese rock that hits directly, but if someone recommends something, I’ll listen to anything—Western or Japanese—broadly and casually. I like cooking while listening to music; it’s a nice way to relieve stress.

When the schoolyard, gates, and campus are decorated for Sports Day, it instantly feels more festive and exciting, doesn’t it? In this article, we’ll share recommended decoration and styling ideas for Sports Day.

We’ve gathered a wide range—from photo-worthy pieces and iconic centerpieces to items that lift everyone’s spirits—covering everything from small props to large displays.

Most of what we introduce here can be handmade, so use these ideas as inspiration and give them a try.

These decorations are perfect for various Sports Day events at nurseries, kindergartens, schools, and senior facilities!

[Handmade & Photo-Worthy] Sports Day Decorations and Ornaments (21–30)

the Olympic rings

@mammybear_
We decorated the wall with an Olympic theme for the sports day ♡ Tomorrow is the sports day for the preschoolers at Ueda Kitazono. Let’s all work together and do our best!!Sports Day wall surface Olympics Nursery School Sports Day Recommended
Stand on the Stage – YOASOBI

This is a decoration with an Olympic theme.

Using tissue paper, we create the Olympic rings and place them in the center, and around them we show children participating in familiar Olympic events! The children’s bodies are hand-drawn illustrations, but their faces are photos, making it a heartwarming display that naturally prompts parents to look for their own child.

It may even inspire fun daydreams about them becoming Olympic athletes in the future.

If you’re planning sports day decorations, feel free to use this as a reference.

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Deco Surprise Chicken

@sennn26a
Bird Sports Festival #Sports Festival Goods #I tried making it
♪ Original song – Ayaka – Energy

Have you heard of the “Surprised Chicken”? It’s a simple toy that makes a chicken sound when you press its belly, and its absurd look and hilariously deflated squawk are unforgettable.

Here’s a fun idea: cutely decorating that “Surprised Chicken”! Using a doll’s dress, a tiara, and false eyelashes, you transform its surreal appearance into something like a princess.

But since the sound stays the same, the contrast is irresistibly funny.

Carry it around at a school sports day or field day, and it’s sure to draw attention.

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Deco sunglasses

https://www.tiktok.com/@user9108224101238/video/7490850531330559240

Among students, one of the most popular deco items is deco sunglasses! You might not wear them that often in everyday life, but they’re super handy for sports days and field days—both for looking great in photos and for sun protection.

First, get a pair of store-bought sunglasses and decorate them with items like rhinestones.

Using Posca paint markers to draw on them is also recommended.

The design is up to you! Make a pair of deco sunglasses that feels uniquely you and boosts your mood whenever you wear them.

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deco penlight

https://www.tiktok.com/@jk_labo_/video/7137978423435119874

If you’re looking for a standout decorative item, how about a deco penlight? The penlight itself is a simple 100-yen shop item.

Write a name on decorated parts, insert them into the light-up section of the penlight, and adorn the sides with ribbons.

Wrap the handle with ribbon as well, add rhinestones or gem stickers, and you’re done! The result hardly looks handmade, so if you carry it around at a sports day or athletic festival, you might get people asking, “Where did you buy that?”

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Deco fan

https://www.tiktok.com/@apptopi/video/7117261054110977281

When it comes to deco items, uchiwa fans are the standard, but if you want to stand out a little, why not try making a decorated folding fan (deco sensu)? You can find sensu at 100-yen shops, so look for a color and design you like.

Once you have your fan, decorate it with lace, artificial flowers, and more.

It’s common to add a name to a deco sensu, so attach your name in kanji, roman letters—whatever style you prefer.

The downside is that, unlike a regular folding fan, it won’t fold up, but it still looks cute tucked into, say, the waistband of your gym shorts.

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Deco water gun

https://www.tiktok.com/@k_h.08_/video/7241787086284623105

Decorated water guns—where you customize kids’ water pistols sold at 100-yen shops—are popular as eye-catching items for sports days and school athletic festivals.

Looking at the classics, people often decorate relatively simple, small water guns, but if you want to stand out even more, why not try a tank-style water gun? The tank part can be worn like a backpack, making it easy to carry.

While the larger surface area means decorating will take more time, you’ll be able to create a more unique design.

Try making matching ones with your friends!

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maracas

https://www.tiktok.com/@hoiku.labo/video/7351250779585416455

Shouting at the top of your lungs to cheer can be surprisingly tough, and it’s hard to keep it up for long.

That’s when cheer goods come in handy! There are all kinds of items like megaphones, clapper sticks, and pom-poms, but today we’re introducing a DIY maracas idea.

Put sound-making items like bells or beads into an empty plastic bottle, screw the cap on, and decorate it with stickers or colored paper—and you’re done.

When you want to say “You can do it!” give the maracas a shake to cheer them on.

If you make them in different colors and designs, they can also serve as decorations.

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