Fun Parent-Child Games! A Collection of Ideas to Liven Up Your Nursery School Sports Day

Crawling race

Heartwarming mishaps galore! Baby crawling race

When it comes to classic events at kindergarten and nursery school sports days, the crawling race is a staple.

As the name suggests, it’s a competition to see how fast the little ones can crawl.

Parents wait at the finish line, calling to their children or showing them toys and snacks to motivate them.

It’s not only an event parents and children can participate in together, but also a chance to reaffirm their trust and bond.

Regardless of the ranking, many parents find themselves moved to tears simply when their child reaches the goal.

If you include this event, be sure to prepare soft mats so the children don’t get hurt.

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yamamoto

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Parent-child dance

Sports day parent-child dance

In parent-child dance events where parents and kids dance together, you get to spend time that’s different from competitions with winners and losers.

It might feel embarrassing for those who don’t usually dance, but from a child’s perspective, being able to dance with their beloved mom or dad gives the sports day a special feeling you can’t get elsewhere.

Dancing well isn’t what matters, so you can join in happily, laughing together with your child.

It’s a parent-child activity that lets you experience a kind of closeness you don’t usually have in daily life—and it’s sure to deepen your bond.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Parent-child gymnastics surfing

You can do it at home! Parent-child exercises | Surfing | Coordination training introduction video

Let’s join in while training your sense of balance! Here are some ideas for parent–child gymnastics surfing.

First, the parent lies down on their stomach.

The child gently stands on top.

Since the body will wobble, it’s good to stretch both arms out to keep balance.

Once you get used to it, try adjusting the parent’s body height or moving like a wave so the kids won’t get bored.

When trying it for the first time, it’s best to do it in an environment with a mat or futon laid out.

Flag Race

Yusei Sports Day 2: Event Go! Anpanman

How about a flag race for your sports day? In the video, infants use flags featuring their favorite characters.

After starting, they choose the flag they like and head to the finish line.

It’s such a cute event, especially when they’re thinking, “Which one should I pick?” For preschoolers, you could adapt it to use a single flag like beach flags, with a clear win/lose rule—the first person to grab the flag wins—which would make it even more exciting.

It also works well as a parent–child activity, so please use it as a reference.

Shinkansen

FY2024 Kirara-en Sports Day Parent–Child Event for 0-, 1-, and 2-Year-Olds

One of the vehicles kids love most: the Shinkansen.

This time, we’re sharing an activity idea themed around the Shinkansen.

Using cardboard and construction paper, make the Hayabusa and Komachi.

To keep children safe while riding, it’s a good idea to place a chair inside.

Once everything is ready, all aboard! Have a parent dressed as a conductor push the train, and dash through a waterfall made from plastic tape streamers.

The light, silky sensation will spark their curiosity.

When you arrive at the station, receive a souvenir and you’re at the finish line.

It’s an activity parents and children can enjoy together, so be sure to give it a try!

Piggyback cavalry battle

[Reiwa 3 Sports Day] Whale piggyback cavalry battle — Try and take it if you can! (2021.10.9)

Kibasen is a game that everyone has played at school sports festivals.

Onbu Kibasen is a version adapted for kindergartens and nurseries.

Aside from the part where a parent gives their child a piggyback ride, the rules are the same as in regular Kibasen.

This makes the rules easy to explain, which is a nice advantage.

Also, since you don’t need any equipment, it’s perfect when you suddenly need a substitute event.

Because it’s a game where children jostle with each other, be sure to take plenty of care to prevent injuries.

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Piggyback race

Kasamatsu Racecourse Parent-Child Piggyback Race Aryama Kinen 2011

Piggyback races, where dads or moms carry their children on their backs and compete, are widely known as a classic parent-child event.

Even though they’re kids, if they’re in kindergarten or daycare they’re growing, and if the parents don’t usually exercise much, the race can be quite tough.

On the other hand, sprinting full-out with a child on your back is something you hardly ever do in daily life, so both the children and the parents can enjoy it.

Competing while in close contact deepens the parent-child bond, making it easy to see why this event has become a classic.

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Hoshino Takashi

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