Let’s make it! A roundup of entrance gate design ideas for the sports day

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!
A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

The big annual event, Sports Day!

As it draws closer, some kids might be getting a little antsy.

It’s the day to give everything they’ve got—there’s no reason not to get fired up!

In this article, we’ve rounded up ideas for DIY entrance gates to send off those super-motivated kids in style!

These ideas are mainly recommended for preschool and kindergarten Sports Days, but if you swap the characters to match the age group, they should work great for elementary school events too.

Be sure to read to the end!

Let’s make it! A collection of entrance gate design ideas for the sports day (21–30)

Block Entrance Gate

Building blocks, beloved by children as toys for stacking wood pieces, are a perfect motif to incorporate into the entrance gate that opens your sports day.

Try stacking rectangular boxes that evoke real blocks.

You can vary the box sizes slightly or make only the top into a triangle.

It’s also great to draw illustrations themed around trophies or the various sports day events.

Create a bold, impactful entrance gate that will build excitement for the sports day to come!

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Entrance gate with my portrait

An idea for an entrance gate decorated with children’s portraits.

Why not work on a design that both the children participating in the sports day and the spectators can enjoy together? Have the children draw their faces on round or square backing paper.

By changing the color paper for decorations by group, it will be easier to find each child’s illustration.

Involving the children in building the gate will further enhance the sense of unity at the sports day.

Try creating an entrance gate that will make this child-centered sports day even more exciting.

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Tissue paper pom-pom entrance gate

This is an entrance gate decorated with softly colored tissue paper flowers.

Let’s create an item that will brighten up the sports day, a special stage for the children.

First, attach letters such as the kindergarten or nursery school name and “Sports Day” to the gate.

We recommend decorating with colorful tissue paper around the letters.

In addition to the top of the gate, you can also decorate both sides to make it even more festive.

Why not incorporate tissue paper pom-poms—often used in children’s songs and dances—into the entrance gate design as well?

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Entrance gate for sea creatures

A fun and lively entrance gate where lots of sea creatures welcome you.

Try decorating the gate with your child’s favorite ocean animals, like whales, crabs, squid, octopuses, jellyfish, sea turtles, and garden eels! You can enjoy crafting together using origami, paper cups, bubble wrap and other packing materials, and construction paper.

Arrange your handmade sea creatures in an arch, and it will transform into a splendid entrance gate! Setting the background to feel like the ocean would be wonderful, too.

Your child can proudly say, “Here’s the creature I made!”

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Dinosaur Entrance Gate

Dinosaur designs often appear in illustrated reference books and picture books.

Why not create an entrance gate inspired by animals beloved by children? Make dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus and Brachiosaurus and place them at both ends.

It’s recommended to wrap cardboard or paper boxes with poster paper and add parts such as faces and horns.

You could also decorate the dinosaurs’ bodies with portraits drawn by the children.

Try designing something impactful that will encourage the kids as they take on various events.

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced a wide range of ideas, from classic motifs to character-themed designs.

While it’s fine to create something you can reuse in future years, for the kids it’s a once-a-year event, so they might appreciate ideas that are unique to that particular year.

Wishing you a fun and exciting sports day!