[For Middle Schoolers] A Comprehensive Introduction to Fun Sports Day Events We Recommend!
You want the once-a-year sports festival to be a wonderful event where you can have fun while working together with your classmates and teammates, right?
In this article, we introduce interesting events recommended for junior high school sports festivals.
We’ve gathered some slightly unusual events that will let not only students who are good at sports but also those who aren’t laugh and have a great time.
In addition to events that add a twist to the classics, there are also thrilling events where the outcome doesn’t depend on athletic ability.
Be sure to include them in your program and make your sports festival fun and exciting!
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[For Middle School Students] A Roundup of Fun, Recommended Events for Sports Day! (11–20)
Big Pants Race
The dekapan race is an event that’s fun to watch thanks to its unique look.
“Dekapan” means oversized pants.
Teams of two run together and, partway through the course, put on a pair of giant pants together.
It looks pretty funny, so spectators are sure to get excited.
On the other hand, the runners end up in a three-legged-race-like situation, which makes it quite hard to run.
It’s hard to imagine until you try it yourself, so give it a shot.
You can buy large pants for dekapan races from online shops.
Giant Ball Lifting
Team up and compete by tossing a giant ball as many times as you can in “Giant Ball Lifting.” It’s not only exciting—it’s also a great way to strengthen bonds among teammates.
Participants step inside a large circle drawn on the ground and keep the ball aloft with consecutive tosses, but the attempt ends if they step outside the circle.
Even with several people tossing, launching the giant ball into the air takes real strength.
It’s more draining than it looks, so both participants and supporters should bring plenty of energy and enthusiasm!
Will it fit in the basket on my back?
If you want to include a slightly more complex event, “Can it land in the basket on your back?” is a good option.
You dribble the ball like in basketball, then at the halfway point, give it a big bounce so it drops into the basket you’re carrying on your back.
Putting the ball into the basket sounds simple, but it’s surprisingly tricky.
You’ll probably end up hitting your head with the ball several times, so use something soft.
A laundry basket works well for the basket.
Tire removal
A tire-grabbing game that’s guaranteed to get heated.
First, both teams line up at opposite ends of the field.
Several tires are placed in the center, and the goal is to bring them back to your territory.
The team that brings back more tires wins.
Strategy is key: which tires to go for and how many people to send for each.
Plan your tactics based on each person’s speed and strength.
It can turn into a fierce tug-of-war, so be careful to avoid injuries.
Keep your nails trimmed short.
Chasing Beanbag Toss
In a regular tamaire game, you toss balls into a fixed basket.
Chase Tamaire is a fun twist on that.
Here, each team’s representative wears the basket on their back and runs around.
That means the runner needs quick bursts of speed and sharp reflexes, while the throwers need solid teamwork.
It’s surprisingly hard to score, so the game is sure to get heated.
The key to winning is to plan your strategy in advance—and even that planning will become part of the memories.
Egg and Spoon Race
The Egg & Spoon Race demands concentration and stability.
If using real eggs is not allowed, use a ball that fits on a spoon instead.
Participants line up side by side and get ready by placing the ball on their spoon.
At the starting signal, they move forward, keeping the arm not holding the spoon behind their back as they walk.
If the ball drops, they should restart from that spot.
You can also add variations—switch the spoon to a ladle, or prepare balls in various sizes and have participants draw lots to choose—there are plenty of ways to make it fun.
Try incorporating it into your sports day!
[For Middle Schoolers] A Big Introduction to Fun, Recommended Events for the Sports Festival! (21–30)
backward relay
One of the most popular events at sports days is the relay, right? How about trying a backward relay, where you run facing backward? It’s a simple idea—just run backward—but you’ll probably find it surprisingly challenging.
Since we don’t usually move backward in everyday life, it creates a strange sensation.
Give it a try and feel it for yourself.
Another tricky part is that you can’t see the person you’re handing the baton to.
It demands more calling out to each other and stronger teamwork than usual.