[Handmade & Instagrammable] Decorations for Sports Day: Ideas and Inspiration
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!
- Perfect for sports day! Handmade armbands, bracelets, and wrist accessories
- [Wrist Accessories / Costumes] Handmade Outfit Ideas for Sports Day
- Parent-Child Events for Sports Day: Recommended Ideas for Nurseries and Kindergartens
- Popular songs recommended for nursery school sports days! A roundup of classic crowd-pleasers and the latest hits
- Recommended for nursery and kindergarten sports days! A collection of exercise songs to enjoy every day
- Cheer songs to hype up the sports day! A collection of motivational tracks recommended for kids
- [Childcare] Recommended for sports day performances and dances! A collection of classic and popular songs
- From classics to fan favorites! A catalog of music and BGM to liven up your sports day
- [Sports Day Cheer Songs] A roundup of classic cheer songs and recommended tracks for parody versions
- Get hyped! A collection of Vocaloid songs to energize your sports day and athletic festival
- Elementary schoolers can dance to it! Recommended dance songs and choreography for sports day
- [Sports Day] Songs for footraces: tracks that make kids want to run [classics & J-pop]
- [Sports Day BGM] A selection of classic tunes that liven up the venue
[Handmade & Instagrammable] Sports Day Decorations and Ornaments (31–40)
balloon arch
For those who want to add a festive touch to a school sports day, a balloon arch is highly recommended.
Combine multiple inflated balloons to create an arch.
It’s a great idea to choose a theme—such as pastel colors or a rainbow—and decorate with colorful balloons.
You can also hang garlands or children’s portraits under the balloon arch.
This dynamic arch makes the most of the three-dimensional qualities of balloons.
It will capture children’s attention and energize the event, so give this design a try!
Mega Deco-Deco Gun
If you want to stand out at the sports festival and draw attention with a flashy decorated toy gun, this is it! With a mega deco gun, you’ll boost your visibility—and if your friends or team all carry mega deco guns, it’s sure to become the talk of the event! Because it’s big, there’s more surface area to decorate and it takes some creativity, but the effort will make it a memorable piece.
Grab a larger water gun, paint it your favorite color, then decorate it.
Don’t just use rhinestones—add ribbons and more to create a truly eye-catching deco gun!
Heart garland
A great wall decoration idea you’ll want to keep in mind—perfect not only for sports days but for any kind of event.
Cut colored construction paper into long, narrow strips, curl each strip into a heart shape, and staple the ends to fix it in place—one heart done.
Make lots of them, then connect the hearts as you would with a paper chain, and you’re finished! The cute look is sure to delight little kids.
You can also thread string through the vertical axis of each heart to hang them in a downward line.
Japanese-style paper fan
If you want to add a refined touch to your sports day with calm, elegant wall decor, how about Japanese-style paper fans? It’s an easy idea using washi-patterned paper.
Glue together four sheets of paper folded in an accordion, then open them from an upright position like a blooming flower.
That’s all it takes to create a gorgeous paper fan.
Don’t forget to attach a backing sheet on the reverse side for support.
Make a few in different sizes for an even more authentic look.
Of course, you don’t have to use washi-patterned paper—anything goes.
It’s a wall decoration you can arrange however you like!
Paper construction paper flower decoration
Despite its delicate appearance, the method is simple! How about making a lovely floral wall decoration? Prepare construction paper cut into thin strips, and make several in different lengths.
Take one strip and roll it into a tear-drop shape.
Then take a longer strip and wrap it around into another tear-drop, layering it over the first.
Once you’ve built up three layers, align the ends and staple to secure.
Make about 8 to 10 of these units, then glue their sides together to form a flower shape.
The finished look is geometric and stylish! If you’re particular about the paper colors, it will boost the overall design appeal.
[Handmade & Instagrammable] Sports Day Decorations and Ornaments (41–50)
Translucent Garland
Even prettier when the light hits it! Make a translucent garland and add a splash of color to the sports day scenery.
Use semi-transparent design paper that lets you see through to the other side.
Stack several pieces of design paper cut into rectangles of different lengths, then puff them up into a three-dimensional shape that looks like an onion.
Secure the edge while it’s puffed, and you’ve completed one piece.
String multiple pieces vertically, and you’re done.
Switching up the patterns or sizes of the design paper will boost the style factor even more.
kusudama (decorative paper ball used for celebrations)
When you think of something to celebrate an event—like an award ceremony or a birthday party—the first thing that may come to mind is a kusudama party ball.
Pulling the string to release celebratory words along with ribbons and confetti is a simple setup, yet it brings a smile to everyone’s face.
There are many store-bought options these days, but if you want to convey a message that isn’t run-of-the-mill, we recommend making one yourself.
You can create the shape by decorating an instant noodle bowl with origami, so give it a try!
