[Idea Collection] Let’s handcraft the sports day program!

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.

A program is an essential item for a sports day.

You can use it to check “Which event am I in next?” or give it to your family so they can use it to find good viewing spots.

Since you’ll be looking at it throughout the sports day, wouldn’t you like to make the program itself into something memorable?

With that in mind, here’s an article that compiles ideas for handmade programs!

These ideas are especially recommended for nursery, kindergarten, and elementary school sports days.

Create a wonderful, one-of-a-kind program just for you and your group!

[Idea Collection] Let’s Make a Handmade Sports Day Program! (21–30)

Fruits & Animals Program

Make it one-of-a-kind! Here are some ideas for fruit and animal-themed programs.

Some classes may be planning events for sports day that use fruit and animal motifs.

These fun and cute ideas are perfect for that.

The fruit and animal motifs made by cutting and pasting construction paper are sure to brighten everyone’s mood.

Open the program and you’ll find star-shaped stickers scattered throughout.

It’s a wonderful idea to create together with the children.

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A program inspired by a school building

The warm atmosphere is the key! Here are some program ideas inspired by the school building.

In many preschools, teachers may be the ones creating the sports day program.

This time, let’s try making the program by arranging the children’s artwork.

The roof of the school building is made using a bleeding watercolor technique, so each child’s individuality really shows! It also seems to include a fun feature where you can open windows made from construction paper.

It’s a wonderful idea that’s sure to warm hearts with the children’s drawings and writing.

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Program with children’s photos

Ideas for display-worthy programs featuring children’s photos.

Many teachers may struggle with design when creating a program.

Here are recommended ideas for programs that include children’s photos.

Looking at the posted images, you can see photos of children wearing animal headbands—the motif of the preschool—pasted onto the program.

Parents are sure to love seeing their children in a way that’s unique to a sports day event! Be sure to give it a try.

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Local Mascot Character Program

Local mascots are playing a role in energizing their communities.

The “Yuru-chara Grand Prix,” held once a year as a festival for these mascots, became quite the hot topic, didn’t it? How about an athletic meet program themed around the yuru-chara that surely exists in your own area? Many of these cute, eye-catching characters represent regional specialties and tourist spots, so both children and parents are sure to love it! It’s also adorable to write the program directly on the mascot or design it so the mascot is holding the program.

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Acorn Program

The round, cute image of acorns is perfect for laying out on your child’s sports day program! By using warm colors like orange, yellow, and yellow-green, you can create a cozy, warm design.

Scattering lots of acorns or using one large acorn as an accent is also great! Decorating with patterned washi tape will make it lively and charming, too.

How about creating a design that makes kids and parents feel excited the moment they open the program?

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Ice Cream Program

This is a sports day program inspired by bar-type ice cream.

The colorful, pop and cute ice cream motif is popular with children! It would be wonderful if everyone made the program by hand for a school recreation event.

Cut construction paper into ice cream shapes, paste fruit illustrations, add stickers, and finish it cutely.

You can also paste the program listing the sports day events on the back and make it like a handheld fan.

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Hand-drawn Illustration Program

Hand-drawn illustrations have a special charm and, above all, they really stick in people’s memories! If there’s a teacher or student who’s good at drawing, I highly recommend asking them.

The cover of the program needs to make an impact.

You could pick an event from the sports day that you especially want to highlight and turn it into an illustration.

Including people can give the artwork a lively, dynamic feel.

It could also be fun to stylize it—use deformed (chibi) proportions or design it in a manga character style.

If you have the time, adding spot illustrations not only on the cover but also inside and on the back would be wonderful.

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