We want to liven up the parent-child events at the sports day! Here are some fun ideas to answer that call.
From a torch relay to a pretend sushi shop, there are plenty of activities you can enjoy with the kids while feeling excited together.
By teaming up with friends and parents and taking on these challenges in sync, you’ll create a wonderful day full of lasting memories.
The rules are simple, so anyone can join, and every event is sure to fill the venue with smiles.
You can also adapt them to suit your school’s size and atmosphere, so please use these ideas as a reference.
- [For Preschoolers] Get Fired Up at the Sports Day! Fun Parent-Child Activity Ideas That Everyone Will Enjoy
- Parent-Child Events for Sports Day: Recommended Ideas for Nurseries and Kindergartens
- A toddler sports day that gets everyone excited! A collection of fun parent-child game ideas
- [Senior Class Events] A collection of game ideas to liven up a sports day for 5-year-olds
- [Parent-Child Rec] Recreational activities and games for parents and children to enjoy together—also great for sports days.
- [Preschool] Fun event ideas to include in the sports day for the junior (younger) class
- Exciting for 4-year-olds! A collection of sports day event ideas for preschoolers (middle class)
- [Unique] Fun sports day events that both kids and adults can enjoy
- Perfect for Sports Day! Obstacle Course Ideas Recommended for 2-Year-Olds
- [Nursery/Kindergarten] Make Your Sports Day a Hit! A Collection of Fun Beanbag Toss Variations
- Let’s get infants and one-year-olds excited at the sports day too! A collection of event ideas for parents and children to enjoy together.
- Parent–child interactive play. Fun activities popular in childcare settings and at parent–child observation days.
- For the kindergarten sports day! A list of obstacle course ideas
Parent-Child Games to Liven Up Sports Day (1–10)
Cardboard Car Race
A cardboard car race where parents and children ride in cars made of cardboard and compete while overcoming obstacles.
Because you have to move in sync like playing “pretend train,” it’s a competition that tests parent-child teamwork.
Obstacles themed to match the cardboard cars—such as police cars and fire engines—also appear, so both children and adults are likely to enjoy it.
In addition, having the preschoolers make the cardboard cars themselves makes the preparation stage exciting, making it a fun event for kindergartens and nursery schools to organize.
Join forces for a giant panel
Let’s work together as a whole class! Join forces and present your ideas for a giant panel.
In this event, each person selects one large panel and fits it into a frame.
When the last runner inserts their panel into the frame, a big picture is completed—what a fun idea! If the event feels too simple for older children, consider adding activities on the way to the panels, such as vaulting boxes or horizontal bars.
Feel free to adapt and arrange it as you like.
Where’s my kid?
I think sports days get more exciting when there are events with a strong element of luck.
So I’d like to introduce “Where’s My Kid?” The rules are very simple.
First, a child hides inside a large cardboard box.
The parent has to find their child hidden in one of the boxes, then give them a piggyback and head for the finish line together.
It’s also fun to tweak the last part into a three-legged race, for example.
You can even switch it so that the parent hides instead of the child.
Since this game allows for many variations, it’s also a great idea to let the kids come up with their own rules.
Carrying a ball with a holey newspaper
Here’s an idea for a relay game using a newspaper and a tennis ball.
The rules are very simple: two players work in perfect sync to reach the goal without dropping the tennis ball through the holes in the newspaper.
The rules are easy, but it’s surprisingly challenging even for adults—that’s part of the fun.
You can play it anywhere, indoors or outdoors.
First, pair up, spread out a sheet of newspaper, and place the ball on top.
Work together to carry it carefully without dropping it.
If you drop it along the way, pick it up immediately and restart from the same spot.
The team that reaches the goal first wins! It’s also a great activity to include in a sports day event.
Card flipping
Card flipping, a game where you flip cards placed on the field to compete for the win, is a simple yet thrilling sport.
After the two teams each decide on their color, place an equal number of red and white cards randomly.
Line up in a single file away from the cards and begin flipping at the starting signal.
Within the time limit, flip the cards to your team’s color; the team with the most cards showing their color at the end wins.
If parents participate together, it’s recommended to increase the number of cards or play on a larger field.
My First Errand
A parent-child competition where parents ask their children to run an errand to buy items the parents want.
Instead of going out to an actual store, sales booths set up to resemble shops are arranged inside the nursery or kindergarten.
Prepare food items and daily necessities in advance, then give the children a medal and a shopping bag and ask them to do the errand.
Many people will likely feel a sense of growth watching the children handle the shopping on their own.
It’s also nice to divide them into groups or set a theme and have them buy specific ingredients.
This event offers a realistic shopping experience while also serving as a learning activity.
Balloon Trampoline
Only two materials! Here’s an idea for a balloon trampoline.
The bouncy, springy feeling of a trampoline excites both kids and adults, doesn’t it? This time, let’s play with a DIY trampoline.
All you need is a large vacuum/compression storage bag and balloons.
Inflate the balloons and pack them into the storage bag.
Seal the bag, compress it, and you’re done! A balloon-made trampoline is colorful and sure to capture kids’ attention!