[Get Fired Up!] Classic Sports Day Events: Ideas for Popular Races and Games
When it comes to sports festivals, they’re big events that get everyone—from kids to adults—fired up and having fun!
These days, they’re not just held at schools; some companies also include them as part of their team-building activities.
In this article, we’ll introduce classic events, popular competitions, and games for sports festivals.
If you’re currently planning a sports day and wondering, “What events should I include?”, this is a must-read!
We’ve gathered not only the timeless staples like ball-toss and tug-of-war, but also some unique and creative events.
Whether you love sports or aren’t so confident, let’s put together a program everyone can enjoy and make it a sports day to remember!
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Get Excited! Classic Sports Day Events: Ideas for Popular Races and Games (41–50)
Tail-tag game
Everyone attaches a slightly long string, a “tail.” Create a boundary that defines the playing area.
While moving within that area, try to grab your opponents’ tails and avoid having your own tail taken.
Place a few spare tails at several spots; if your tail is taken, attach a new one, and compete to see how many tails you can collect within the time limit.
It’s a fun game that requires both quick movements and quick thinking, since you must not only take others’ tails but also protect your own!
Samurai sword-fighting (chambara) battle
You might be surprised to hear there’s chanbara at a sports day, but this is a competition that’s sure to get everyone fired up! First, you attach a colored ball, called a “life,” to your arm.
Then, with a sponge sword in hand, you charge at your opponent—the enemy—letting out a roaring “Whoaa!!” The winner is the one who knocks off the opponent’s life with their sword.
The scene is straight out of the Warring States era! Because of that, anything that goes against bushido—like taking a life with anything other than the sword, body-checking, or attacking the face—is against the rules.
It’s not just kids; even adults will want to give it a try!
snake skinning
Do you know the game called “Snake Skinning”? The name is a bit unusual, isn’t it? Participants line up in a single file, and everyone wears something around their waist—like a cord or belt—that the person behind can hold onto.
They move forward while holding the belt of the person in front.
When they reach a designated point, the person at the very back lies down on the ground and, while pulling the person in front, everyone topples over in sequence.
Once everyone has finished falling, they get back up again and continue toward the goal.
Bell-breaking race
The bell-breaking game where teams throw balls at a large, kusudama-like sphere, and the first team to break it wins! Just like a ball-toss game, lots of people throw not into a basket but at a big ball.
When it breaks, messages like “Congratulations,” glittery decorations, or even prompts can come out—sometimes requiring everyone to start a new, different event from there!
Bubble Soccer
Have you heard of a sport called bubble soccer? You slip right into the center of a large, sturdy “bubble ball” that looks like a beach ball and play soccer.
Teams are made up of four or five players.
In regular soccer, body checks are fouls, but in bubble soccer there are hardly any fouls—body checks and bouncing off each other’s bubbles are part of the fun.
It’s even okay to bump into a player who doesn’t have the ball.
It’s a sport that makes you want to try it at least once just by watching.
cheering contest
When it comes to the star attraction of a sports day, isn’t it the cheer battle? It’s not only about uniting the team, but also about putting on a show that entertains the audience—so it’s definitely worth practicing thoroughly and showing your best.
When the moves and chants are perfectly in sync, the whole venue is sure to erupt with excitement and awe.
You can go with a traditional cheering style, or incorporate trendy songs and dances.
The time spent practicing for the cheer battle is a prime opportunity to strengthen team bonds.
It’s the perfect stage for the cheer squad to show what they can do!
Hand-holding dribble relay
A dribbling relay where everyone holds hands and dribbles a soccer ball together! Several people join hands to form a circle.
Put a soccer ball inside the circle and aim for the goal while everyone dribbles together.
As the saying goes, bigger can cover smaller, but dribbling with several people—and while holding hands—makes it really hard! But that’s exactly what makes this game fun.
Use teamwork to carry the ball all the way to the goal.
