[Childcare] Sports Day activity ideas. Let’s make the Sports Day exciting!

playing horsey

Horsey play & balloon play

Incorporating Olympic equestrian events into a school sports day’s parent–child activities might seem difficult, but if the parent gets down on all fours as the “horse” and the child rides on their back, it instantly transforms into a proper equestrian event! You can adjust the difficulty by adding various obstacles along the course.

If you do it outdoors, using mats can enhance safety and reduce strain on the parent’s knees.

Wearing a horse mask or having the child wear a helmet can make it feel more realistic and safer as well.

Cart-pulling relay

Parent-child basket-pulling relay #Childcare #Kindergarten #Daycare #ChildcareWorker #SportsDay

The basket-pulling relay, which is popular for parent-participation events, is one of the classic sports day activities at many preschools.

It’s especially great for infants who aren’t ready to run yet—by sitting in a box and being pulled by a parent, they can enjoy the exhilarating feeling of running themselves.

Even with simple rules—head toward the cone, turn around, and come back—it can be surprisingly demanding.

Children may feel the thrill of running, while parents may feel like they’ve run a long distance! It’s a really fun event, so definitely consider including it.

Flag Race

Yusei Sports Day 2: Event Go! Anpanman

How about a flag race for your sports day? In the video, infants use flags featuring their favorite characters.

After starting, they choose the flag they like and head to the finish line.

It’s such a cute event, especially when they’re thinking, “Which one should I pick?” For preschoolers, you could adapt it to use a single flag like beach flags, with a clear win/lose rule—the first person to grab the flag wins—which would make it even more exciting.

It also works well as a parent–child activity, so please use it as a reference.

Ball arranging game

Ball Arrangement Game (3×3, 4×4) [Indoor Physical Activity Example]

Get the excitement going indoors! Introducing the “Ball Line-up Game.” First, split into two teams, and each person takes a ball in their team’s color.

At the start signal, players place their balls onto a ball stand arranged like a tic-tac-toe grid.

After placing a ball, tag the next teammate.

The team that places their balls on the stand first wins.

It’s perfect for short indoor distances and still super fun.

Try adding more stands or creating your own rules to make it even more exciting!

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The Hero’s Grand Adventure

Tomobe Kindergarten Sports Day Explanation Video: 6. The Brave Hero’s Grand Adventure

Kids are sure to join in with excitement! Here’s an idea for a Brave Hero’s Grand Adventure.

In this event, parents and children work together to overcome activities like mats and balance beams, defeat a big monster, and then reach the finish line.

Using a crown or a cape as the baton helps create the right atmosphere—highly recommended! Adjust the number and type of activities based on your venue size, and try incorporating it into your sports day.

Lick of ice cream

Tomobe Kindergarten Sports Day Event Description No. 6: “Lick the Ice Cream”

Aim for the goal while keeping your balance! Here’s an idea for “Ice Cream Lick.” It’s a fun relay perfect for a 5-year-old’s sports day, featuring a quirky, eye-catching ice cream with lots of impact.

Place a large ice cream made from colored plastic bags on a giant cone, and carry it to the finish while maintaining balance! Kids can enjoy it as a relay on their own, or you can adapt it into a parent-child event.

Work together and head for the goal!

A circuit made with pool cues

[Ages 0–5] Seven Types of Indoor Educational and Physical Play! [Nursery School/Kindergarten]

Let’s play while getting creative! Here are some circuit (obstacle course) ideas you can make with pool noodles.

All you need are pool noodles and a utility knife or scissors.

Cut the long pool noodles in half and use them for the course! Place the halved pool noodles on the floor and include a tightrope-walk section where kids crawl or walk along them.

You can also roll balls along the top of the noodles, or connect them into circles to make ring shapes—great ideas to try!