Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

Cheer songs to hype up the sports day! A collection of motivational tracks recommended for kids

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 as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
POPS writer/editorKEI
Since discovering music during my school days, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. I have experience writing articles for sites like Utaten. 2000s J-pop and 2010s K-pop were especially the soundtrack of my youth. With the mindset that “good is good,” I enjoy music across genres. Thanks to past work environments and their influence, I was exposed to lots of classic rock and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), which may have broadened the scope of what I love. At RAG MUSIC, I currently focus on K-pop and J-pop. I strive to edit with a feel for the scene and an eye for hit potential.

Many teachers probably struggle to choose cheer songs that will liven up Sports Day.If it’s the same every year, it gets boring, but if it’s a song no one knows, it can fall flat.So we’ve gathered a selection of popular and classic tracks!They’re all well-known songs you’ve likely heard on TV and elsewhere, so both kids and adults can enjoy them.What’s more, when children perform as the cheer squad, it’s fun to create parody lyrics of the featured songs to add a unique touch!Use this as a guide to find the perfect cheer songs to energize your Sports Day!

Cheer songs to fire up the sports day! A collection of motivation-boosting tracks recommended for kids (21–30)

Let’s give it a tryWANIMA

au Santaro TV commercial: “Let’s Try It” edition (60 seconds + making-of footage)

Let's give it a tryWANIMA

Released in 2018, this WANIMA track is an arrangement of the children’s song “Picnic.” It was tied in with one of the popular commercials, the au Santaro series.

True to their style, it features exhilarating, fast-paced sound and uplifting lyrics.

As the title “Yatte Minayo” (“Give It a Try”) suggests, listening to this song makes you want to take on challenges, even difficult ones.

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So, you are not alone.Little Glee Monster

Little Glee Monster “So, You’re Not Alone” Music Video Short Ver.

So, you are not alone.Little Glee Monster

The hugely popular female vocal group Little Glee Monster’s “Dakara, Hitori Janai” (“That’s Why You’re Not Alone”).

Their powerful vocals pair perfectly with the warm lyrics.

Just like the title suggests, when we feel we’re not alone, we can bring out more than our usual abilities.

Let’s belt this song out from the cheering section!

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Cheering songs to fire up the sports day! A motivation-boosting playlist recommended for kids (31–40)

Don’t give upZARD

Don't Give Up – ZARD (Full)

Don't give upZARD

ZARD’s “Makenaide,” released in 1993, is a classic beloved by a wide range of generations and has been featured in numerous forms of media.

When taking on events at a sports day, there are moments when anyone might feel like giving up or losing heart.

This song is filled with a warm message that gives strength in those moments.

Its lively, energetic band sound and Izumi Sakai’s clear, crystalline vocals inspire courage and hope.

Why not include it in scenes where you’re cheering your teammates on with all your might?

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Bridge of Gloryyuzu

Yuzu “Eikou no Kakehashi” Music Video

Bridge of Gloryyuzu

When it comes to songs that cheer on every student who worked hard for the sports festival, “Eikou no Kakehashi” comes to mind.

Released in 2004 by the folk duo Yuzu, it’s beloved across generations as one of their signature tracks.

Its lyrics, which portray people who keep striving even when they feel like they might lose or give up, will give courage to the athletes.

It’s an uplifting song whose strings and acoustic guitar—enveloping their emotional vocals—also bring comfort.

Be sure to check out this classic that perfectly matches every event at a sports festival.

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Kitearashi

ARASHI – Kite [Official Music Video]

Kitearashi

Arashi’s “Kite,” produced as the NHK 2020 song to support the younger generation, is perfect for school sports festivals.

With lyrics and composition by Kenshi Yonezu, it was also aired on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 2020.

It’s one of the songs that represents 2020, the year the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics were scheduled to be held.

The lyrics convey a sense of respecting and cheering on those who work hard, encouraging them not to be discouraged no matter what happens.

There’s no way such a song wouldn’t suit a sports day—please give it a try!

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RPGSEKAI NO OWARI

SEKAI NO OWARI「RPG」

RPGSEKAI NO OWARI

It was chosen as the theme song for the film Crayon Shin-chan: Very Tasty! B-Class Gourmet Survival!!.

It’s a very lively song that everyone can enjoy singing together.

The story woven with grand sounds and words lifts our spirits and makes us feel brave.

Please try singing together to share the message embedded in this song, which is said to have been born when the members had a huge fight during production.

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Love will winKAN

Aiwa Katsu

Love will winKAN

The national mega-hit tune “Ai wa Katsu” by the genius melody maker KAN.

Because it expresses a universally relatable theme in simple words anyone can understand, it’s a song that brings everyone together and ramps up the excitement.

It’s incredibly catchy, yet it’s cleverly structured—with key changes and more—to keep it from getting monotonous, offering plenty of musical enjoyment.

It’s sure to make scenes like clear, refreshing skies, children running, and school sports days even more memorable.

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