Parent-Child Events for Sports Day: Recommended Ideas for Nurseries and Kindergartens
Parent-child events at kindergarten and nursery school sports days are a great way for families to have fun together and get everyone excited! Here, we’ll share ideas for parent-child competitions at sports days.
From classics like sprints and beanbag tosses to obstacle courses and quirky games, there’s a wide variety to choose from.
It’s also wonderful for children to see their parents getting really into it.
You can easily adapt the activities to fit your space and number of participants, so use these as a reference and brainstorm fun ideas with your fellow teachers.
Imagine the children’s smiles as you prepare, and make it a joyful sports day!
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[Parent-Child Events for Sports Day] Recommended Ideas for Nurseries and Kindergartens (11–20)
Riding a Molcar
https://www.tiktok.com/@harukaa_402/video/7152018389798489346The guinea pig–shaped cars, Molcars, are a stop-motion animation made with needle-felted wool.
Some children might be big fans of Molcars.
Here, we put your child on a Molcar made of cardboard and pull it along to move.
A child who loves Molcars might be delighted to ride.
Partway through, set them down, then run to the finish line carrying them.
From that point on, instead of carrying, you could hold hands and run together or give them a piggyback.
Penguin Race
Here’s a game where you walk while holding a balloon between your knees.
Since the way you walk looks like a penguin, it’s called the Penguin Race.
If you squeeze too hard, the balloon might slip out from between your knees and float away, making it hard to reach the finish line.
Split into teams and pass the balloon to the next runner like a baton.
You could also skip teams and run it as a tournament or round-robin for extra fun.
It’s a race that can be enjoyed as a parent–child activity too, so give it a try!
Shinkansen
One of the vehicles kids love most: the Shinkansen.
This time, we’re sharing an activity idea themed around the Shinkansen.
Using cardboard and construction paper, make the Hayabusa and Komachi.
To keep children safe while riding, it’s a good idea to place a chair inside.
Once everything is ready, all aboard! Have a parent dressed as a conductor push the train, and dash through a waterfall made from plastic tape streamers.
The light, silky sensation will spark their curiosity.
When you arrive at the station, receive a souvenir and you’re at the finish line.
It’s an activity parents and children can enjoy together, so be sure to give it a try!
Soccer in big underpants
We’d like to introduce a fun “giant pants” soccer game that strengthens the parent-child bond.
The parent and child both get into the prepared oversized pants.
While kicking a soccer ball wrapped in a net together, aim for the goal and get the ball into the net.
After scoring, the guardian carries the ball back to the starting line.
Once you return, pass the ball to the next person like a relay.
The key is how smoothly the parent and child can put on the giant pants together.
Think of an easy way to wear them, and do your best to win!
Caterpillar Race
A caterpillar race where parents and children get inside a large cardboard box and crawl forward.
It’s fun even with one person, but it gets even more exciting when parents and kids work together! Parents eager to get to the finish line as fast as possible might overwhelm the children with their enthusiasm.
Since you move forward without being able to see ahead in a caterpillar race, the key is to communicate clearly—say things like, “We’re going a bit diagonally!”—so you don’t bump into the team next to you.
Taking a stroll on a box♪
This is a parent–child activity using boxes that’s perfect for a class of 0-year-olds.
Use sturdy materials like cardboard to make a vehicle for the children to ride in.
At the sports day, have the children ride in their vehicles while the parents pull them with a string.
Pull slowly and aim for the goal as you move forward.
It’s also nice to set up a mini corner before the finish line where participants can grab a balloon or choose an item.
Decorate the boxes cutely while looking forward to the expressions the children will have as they ride!
[Parent-Child Events for Sports Day] Recommended Ideas for Nurseries and Kindergartens (21–30)
Animal Role-Playing Race
This is one of the events I’d recommend for parent–child competitions.
The rules are simple: a certain animal is given as the theme, and parents and children race while imitating that animal.
For example, if it’s a koala, the parent carries the child; if it’s a giraffe, the child rides on the parent’s shoulders; if it’s a flamingo, both hop on one leg together.
Aim for the finish line while fully becoming the animal.
By adding the rule of “acting like the animal,” not just running together, the event feels fresh and fun!
