Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

Shine in the sports day dance! A roundup of handmade props

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
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!

At kindergarten and elementary school sports days, the children put on adorable dances, don’t they?Props like pom-poms are essential for their performances.And if you’re going to use props anyway, many of you are probably looking for ones the kids can make together by hand.In this article, we’ll introduce a variety of props all at once—besides pom-poms, things like fans and maracas.Many of them are easy to make, so be sure to create props full of originality.

Shine at the sports day dance! A roundup of handmade props (1–10)

Decorated uchiwa

Must-have for the sports festival with Daiso items! How to make a fan, taught by a current high school student.

Decorated uchiwa

If you want to liven up the sports day dance, why not make a flashy, sparkly decorated fan? You can get all the materials at the 100-yen shop, so it’s easy and budget-friendly! Just prepare party garlands, a hand fan, and decorative stickers.

You can draw illustrations directly on the fan or paste on printed illustrations.

After that, outline the edges with the party garland and stick on the stickers—have fun making your own unique fan!

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hands-free pom-pom

[For Childcare Workers] Sports Day Special! How to Make Pom-Poms ✨ [Nursery School/Kindergarten]

hands-free pom-pom

The pom-poms often seen in elementary school and kindergarten sports day dances are bright and cute, aren’t they? Generally, pom-poms are made by wrapping plastic ribbon (suzuran tape) several times around a cutting board or a tissue box.

You then cut the looped ribbon in the middle and tie the center firmly with the same color ribbon.

If you attach a loose hair elastic at this point, you’ll have a “hands-free pom-pom”! Normally you’d make a handle, but by adding a hair elastic your hands are free, making it easier to dance.

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flower hat

[Hanagasa Ondo] I tried making a hanagasa by hand! [Tokuiku Channel]

flower hat

The hanagasa, known from Yamagata Prefecture’s Hanagasa Festival, also makes a perfect dance prop.

First, cut thick paper into a circle sized to fit your head and make the hat.

A single layer is weak, so it’s better to double it.

Once the hat is finished, attach a bell at the crown, then arrange origami flowers around it.

Choosing flower colors you like to add your own originality is part of the fun.

It’s also great for preventing heatstroke and sunburn when dancing outdoors.

By all means, try making your very own hanagasa!

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Shine at the sports day dance! Handmade prop roundup (11–20)

ribbon stick

https://www.tiktok.com/@richperidonee/video/7284654841715117318

We’re introducing a ribbon stick that’s super cute with its fluttering ribbons.

Prepare two long bamboo skewers and glue them together.

Wrap a ribbon around the skewers from the top, leaving a longer section at the upper end.

Thread a bell onto the ribbon you left, tie it, and secure it with glue.

Using the tied bell area as the center, attach about four long ribbon strips around it.

Using colorful ribbons makes it even cuter! It’s fun to let the kids choose their colors.

These ribbon sticks are perfect for showcasing a lovely performance at a sports day—give making them a try!

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Loop scarf

[Kazuto Ozawa Scarf Dance] The wind is calling

Loop scarf

When it comes to props with a striking fluttering motion, looped scarves come to mind.

They’re made of light, airy material, and just moving your hands can create a unique effect.

By adding a loop you can slip your fingers through on a regular scarf, you can use it safely even in dance scenes.

Prepare scarves in colors that match the mood of the songs or dances to liven up the children’s sports day! They’re easy to make, so try creating them while discussing ideas with the kids.

Let’s add color to the dance with a prop that gives a beautiful, refreshing impression!

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windmill

Cute and twirly! How to make a figure-eight windmill

windmill

If you want to use a slightly unusual prop, a pinwheel is recommended.

First, prepare some cardstock and make the blades of the pinwheel.

Once the blades are finished, staple them together and make a hole in the center.

Next, straighten a wire hanger to make the shaft and thread it through the hole.

After that, just make sure the blades won’t slip off, and you’re done.

Using a clear file instead of cardstock gives it a nicer look.

Since you’ll need tools like nippers to make it, be sure to have an adult supervise.

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maracas

[Handmade Instruments] Make Maracas with Things at Home: A Fun Activity to Do with Your Kids

maracas

How about making cute, clear maracas as props for your sports day using simple items you already have at home? You can craft them with your child, making great memories together! Use a capsule toy container for the top of the maracas and a toilet paper roll for the handle.

Fill the maracas with your choice of beads or buttons—cute-looking materials will delight your child.

You can also decorate the handle with patterned tape or favorite stickers! Let’s decorate them cutely and make a one-of-a-kind maraca!

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