Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[For Middle Schoolers] A Comprehensive Introduction to Fun Sports Day Events We Recommend!

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.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

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!

[For Middle Schoolers] A Big Introduction to Fun, Recommended Events for the Sports Festival! (21–30)

Kusudama breaking

FY2017 Citizens’ Sports Festival

Kusudama breaking

Kusudama-breaking, where you hit a decorative ball to split it open, is an easy-to-understand and exciting event.

The glittering streamers that burst out make it clear when a team wins, which is a nice touch.

When preparing the kusudama, it’s essential to adjust how much impact is needed for it to open.

Getting it to break with just the right amount of force can be tricky, but to avoid a situation where “no team could break it” on the big day, it’s a good idea to run a few rehearsals beforehand.

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Swedish relay

Swedish relay (100m+200m+300m+400m)

Swedish relay

In a Swedish relay, the later a runner’s turn, the longer the distance they run.

This event became popular in Sweden in the 1910s and was named after its country of origin.

Victory hinges on which teammates you choose and the order in which they run.

You might, for example, put a strong starter or sprinter first, and place a middle-distance specialist last—there are many possible strategies.

It’s a unique event that helps strengthen bonds with classmates.

Be sure to try it and experience the distinctive fun that sets it apart from a regular relay.

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Five-person, six-legs giant ball roll

Isn’t the classic sports day event where teams roll a large ball to the finish line called “ōdama korogashi” (giant ball rolling)? If the usual version feels a bit tame, how about adding a twist with “Five-People, Six-Legs Giant Ball Rolling”? Form teams of five, tie their legs together with a rope so they’re moving in a five-people, six-legs formation, and have them roll the giant ball.

Since their legs won’t move as freely, the teamwork of the five players is tested even more! It’s also a great event for strengthening bonds, so consider adding it to your sports day program.

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Stage of Splendor

2nd Yaguchi Village Sports Day – 3. Flower Stage (Children)

Stage of Splendor

It’s a popular sports day event where teams compete to see how many people can fit onto a featured “stage.” Think of it as a cooperative, brainy competition where strategy and teamwork decide the outcome.

Prepare limited spaces—like a stage platform or hula hoops—that cap how many people can stand inside.

Then, in time with a set chant, have participants step on one by one.

If someone is late to the cue, falls out of the boundary, or fails to get on properly, they’re out at that moment.

The final score is the number of people successfully standing on the stage.

Strategy matters—like placing a sturdier person as a “pillar” in the center and saving lighter, nimbler members for the latter half.

It’s a great way to strengthen bonds through teamwork.

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bucket brigade

Rakan-san, bucket brigade

bucket brigade

A bucket brigade is when several people form a line and pass a bucket filled with water to the next person.

It’s also used in drills aimed at firefighting.

The key is to pass in time with songs or clapping, keeping a steady rhythm.

Split into teams to compete on speed, or decide the winner by how much water remains in the bucket—either way, it will liven up your field day.

Although simple, it’s an event that requires teamwork, making it a great opportunity to strengthen bonds with your classmates.

Give it a try!

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In conclusion

We introduced unique sports day events for junior high school students.

With just a small twist on simple rules, they can be transformed into incredibly fun competitions.

Some events are decided not only by strength, but also by strategy and teamwork, so be sure to add them to your program and create a wonderful sports day that strengthens your class bonds.