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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- Let’s get infants and one-year-olds excited at the sports day too! A collection of event ideas for parents and children to enjoy together.
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- [Preschool] Fun event ideas to include in the sports day for the junior (younger) class
- [Senior Class Events] A collection of game ideas to liven up a sports day for 5-year-olds
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- [Parent-Child Rec] Recreational activities and games for parents and children to enjoy together—also great for sports days.
- Parent–child interactive play. Fun activities popular in childcare settings and at parent–child observation days.
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[Sports Day Parent-Child Events] Recommended Ideas for Nurseries and Kindergartens (31–40)
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.
Animal Race
Let’s step into character and play! Here are some ideas for an Animal Race.
Many children find it fun to pretend to be animals.
This time, try racing while transforming into a frog, a bear, or even a baby together with parents or guardians! Sports days can feel different from the usual routine, and many children may get nervous—but participating alongside a parent or guardian can help them feel more at ease.
Preparing headbands or costumes will likely boost their excitement, too.
Ball-collecting competition
Let’s incorporate activities that develop motor skills! Here are some ideas for a ball-collecting race.
There are likely many opportunities to use balls during exercise time.
By using familiar balls in competitions, children can develop their motor skills.
This time, we’re introducing a ball-collecting race that children can try together with parents or teachers, helping them build decision-making skills and quickness.
Competing while following rules can also provide a chance to learn social skills.
Be sure to give it a try!
Zip along as a parent and child!
Let’s set off on a parent-child journey! Here’s a dance track called “Oyako de Byuun.” In this song, you spread your arms like an airplane and move around, and caregivers can dance while giving children piggyback rides.
At the end, you can lift the children and let them “fly,” and it’s packed with active play that kids will love and beg to do again.
Because it encourages lots of physical contact, it will help strengthen the parent-child bond.
It also sounds fun to dance while asking, “Where are we going?”
Big Pants Race
An arranged version of the three-legged race is the “dekapan race.” Dekapan refers to oversized pants.
Two people step into the left and right leg openings and run in sync.
It’s not only unique and fun to watch, but it also has the advantage of saving the trouble of tying legs together.
It’s also recommended for parents and children to do together.
Although it’s quite hard to run in, it deepens bonds and lets you share a sense of accomplishment afterward.
However, it’s also a race where falls are common, so please be careful.
Parent-Child Events for Sports Day: Recommended Ideas for Nursery and Kindergarten (41–50)
Mikoshi race
Let’s have the teachers and children make an original portable shrine (omikoshi) and use it like a relay baton for a race! If you divide the parents evenly among the teams carrying the omikoshi, it becomes a fun parent-child event that encourages cooperation.
Teams that move in sync are faster, so you won’t know which team will come in first until the very end—so exciting! Since falling could lead to contact with other children, keep practicing to carry it carefully and steadily.
It will be a sports day where the children’s earnest efforts leave a lasting impression.
parent-child play
Parent-child play is an event that even infants in the youngest class can easily join.
To music, children and their caregivers do exercises, dance, and try imitating the teacher’s movements while interacting with each other.
They can also try, in pairs with a caregiver, the kinds of games the child usually plays with friends.
It’s a heartwarming activity that fosters a sense of bonding and love with the caregiver.
For younger infants, it’s recommended to sit on a picnic blanket or similar mat while participating.
Rather than competing, the goal is to enjoy being together and taking part as a parent and child.
