A toddler sports day that gets everyone excited! A collection of fun parent-child game ideas

Super Mario

[Japanese Version] 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' Yoshi Reveal Footage

Super Mario Bros.

is beloved by both parents and children.

How about a competition that incorporates its world? Participants wear a Mario or Luigi hat and start by rolling a die.

Based on the picture shown on the die, they choose a course—like breaking a block or crawling through a tunnel.

It would be fun to include twists, such as allowing a player to head straight for the finish without doing anything if they roll “Invincible.” At the end, the child is picked up by their guardian at the finish line, and once they touch the coin, they’re done.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Fruit-picking competition

Fruit picking for ages 0–1

A fruit-picking race where kids compete in speed and number of fruits, made with colorful paper.

It’s a safe activity that can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors, making it perfect for a sports day for one-year-olds.

Having the children at the daycare make the paper fruits themselves will boost their motivation to participate.

You can just picture how adorable they’ll look picking fruits while being watched over by teachers and parents.

If a child can’t quite get a fruit by themselves, be ready to help at any time.

Because the activity unfolds at a gentle pace, it’s also recommended for their very first sports day.

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mutō

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Sushi Picnic

@piyopiyo0519

I don’t dislike that quality.　Mom loves youThey say it doesn't look like sushi once you sit down.Sports DayWe couldn’t do it this year.#Nursery school

Original song – Susu – Susu

You won’t be able to take your eyes off the kids’ adorable antics! Here are some ideas for a sushi-themed picnic.

Many people struggle to come up with food-themed events, right? In those moments, we recommend a “Sushi Picnic” that blends humor with cuteness.

Prepare boards with illustrations of about four types of sushi, and at the starting signal, have the kids flip a board.

Once they see which sushi topping is shown, they put on a backpack matching that topping and race toward the goal together with their guardian! Give it a try at your event.

I caught a fish.

Nursery school sports day: parent-child event

Many kids love pretend fishing, right? So why not include a fish-themed parent–child event in your sports day? The child holds an inner tube and the parent holds a bucket, then at the starting signal they run to the blue tarp.

Lots of fish are “swimming” on the tarp, so the child catches a fish that matches the color of their inner tube and puts it in the bucket.

Run carefully so you don’t drop the fish, then place it into the box of the same color as the fish.

After that, return to the start and pass the baton to the next pair! Since the inner tube and bucket serve as the baton, be sure to hand them over securely.

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sasashina

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circuit play

Circuit Play [Ages 0–1] | Torikai Yuiku-en [Nursery School/Kindergarten]

“Circuit play” is like an obstacle race at a sports day, where you set up various attractions and let kids play.

Unlike typical obstacle race hurdles, we arrange items that even one-year-olds can enjoy with ease—for example, wobble mats that sway when you walk on them, tunnels, and balance beams or mats with gentle slopes.

They’re all fun regardless of height or whether a child can walk yet.

Kids can start wherever they like, and there’s no need to compete for ranking! It also helps develop motor skills, so it’s highly recommended.

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SAKI

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Cleanup beanbag toss

Wanpaku-san Sports Day ~ Ball Toss Competition (Ball Cleanup Competition?)

A cleanup ball-carrying game where you compete to see who can tidy up scattered balls around the room the fastest.

In a regular ball-toss game you throw balls into a basket, but in this version you carry the balls directly to a box or net.

Because the rule is to place the balls without throwing them, even one-year-olds can participate safely.

Prepare colorful balls in various sizes, from small to large.

If you’re using it as a parent–child event, it’s also fun to cooperate in carrying a big, lightweight ball.

You can decide the winner by how many each team tidies up, making it a great way to liven up a sports day as a competitive event.

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mutō

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Animal Race

🧡No.97 [Parent-Child Play / Motor Skills Development] “Animal Race Finals: Five Events 🏁” Become animals like frogs, bears, babies, and more, and compete! 👍 Learn the fundamentals of movement in a fun, game-like race 🏁 👍

Let’s step into character and play! Here are some ideas for an Animal Race.

Many children find it fun to pretend to be animals.

This time, try racing while transforming into a frog, a bear, or even a baby together with parents or guardians! Sports days can feel different from the usual routine, and many children may get nervous—but participating alongside a parent or guardian can help them feel more at ease.

Preparing headbands or costumes will likely boost their excitement, too.