A toddler sports day that gets everyone excited! A collection of fun parent-child game ideas
For one-year-olds, the sports day is their first big event! Even little ones who tend to feel nervous or anxious can enjoy it with peace of mind when they’re with their family.
So, here are some exciting parent-and-child activities you can enjoy together.
We’ve gathered events that let kids transform into popular anime characters or vegetables and that incorporate worlds they love.
There are lots of fun activities that will bring out smiles—even from children who were crying.
Create wonderful memories and fill the whole venue with smiles!
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- A toddler sports day that gets everyone excited! A collection of fun parent-child game ideas
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Parent-child gymnastics and dance competition (1–10)
Maracas Dance
Maracas are often used at musical events like karaoke and parties.
They’re filled with small beads inside a palm-sized sphere, creating that distinctive “sha, sha” sound.
Because they’re lightweight and make sound just by being shaken, they’re perfect for children’s dances.
Simply shaking maracas along with nursery rhymes or classical music can be lots of fun.
If you’re doing a parent-child activity, try practicing together in time with the rhythm.
How about taking on a lively dance as a parent-child team to brighten the atmosphere of the sports day?
Professor Hug
Let me introduce the “Animal Train,” a big hit at sports days that even the youngest children can join! To the rhythm of the music, lots of different animals hop on the train.
They go through tunnels and over hills—the train is lively and looks so fun.
The kids transform into many animals like rabbits, mice, and monkeys! It’s packed with movements babies love, like being lifted high in the air and gentle tickles.
At the end, everyone gives a big hug, leaving both children and caregivers full of happiness.
Be sure to try it at your sports day!
Play Park Together
In the interactive exercise “Let’s Play Park Together,” parents and children can try all kinds of movements: holding hands and jumping, cradling the children like treasures, playing bowling, and more.
Since you can switch roles in the bowling activity, if the parent plays the pins and does some funny moves, it might bring out smiles from the kids.
Finish by lifting the children up high for a grand finale! It’s sure to make a wonderful photo opportunity.
It may look difficult, but there’s actually not much dancing involved, so even one-year-olds should be able to enjoy it fully.
Smiley woof-woof
A one-year-old who loves being held.
How about some activities they can do while being cuddled by their parents or guardians? Support the children’s bodies with your arms and gently rock them—like an elephant’s trunk swaying.
You could also try a game where, like a crane, you lift the children and have them grab a stuffed toy.
Another recommendation is to sit with the child on your lap and move your bodies to the song “Riding the Bus.” Through these activities, you’ll not only enjoy the games but also create warm moments of connection with the children.
Stroll March
Let me introduce “Osanpo March,” a dance song full of interactive elements like poking cheeks, tickling, and lots of cuddly contact.
It’s basically done with parents and children facing each other.
Besides the touch-and-play parts, there are plenty of moves that capture children’s interest, like pointing and playing peekaboo.
Even babies from 0 years old can enjoy it, so why not incorporate it into your sports day events? The song ends with a big hug, which naturally brings smiles to the children’s faces.
Parent-child dance
When you want to do something together and strengthen the bond between parent and child, a parent-child dance is perfect.
Even just incorporating simple dance moves like high-fives or holding hands and marching can be a lot of fun.
But if you add choreography that’s unique to a parent and child, it gets even more exciting.
For example, the guardian can give the child a piggyback ride, or do a shoulder ride and spin around.
Also, the music you use for a parent-child dance is important.
Each time, try researching what’s currently popular among the children.
I ended up doing it.
Let’s try moving like animals and insects to the melody of “Alps Ichiman-jaku.” Use your whole body to express the characteristics of different creatures.
The uniquely adorable movements of one-year-olds are sure to warm the hearts of those around them.
Doing this together with parents or guardians will make it even more fun for the children.
At the end of the song, the children will say “We did it!” to their caregivers while sharing a hug or a high-five.
It’s an event that highlights the children’s cuteness right up to the finish.