Childcare: Recommended program ideas for a sports day
Sports day at nursery and kindergarten is something to look forward to.
Creating the program is fun, but sometimes it’s hard to come up with ideas.
Beyond the entrance, exit, and warm-up exercises, it’s also important to plan a variety of events.
Here, we’ve gathered ideas for a sports day that kids can enjoy.
Consider activities like relays, obstacle courses, and dances that match the children’s ages.
Create a program that teachers and children can enjoy together, and make it a wonderful sports day where everyone smiles!
- [Senior Class Events] A collection of game ideas to liven up a sports day for 5-year-olds
- [Preschool] Fun event ideas to include in the sports day for the junior (younger) class
- [Nursery School] Recommended Songs for Sports Day Dance
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- For the daycare’s sports day! Fun and unique event ideas
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- Fun Parent-Child Games! A Collection of Ideas to Liven Up Your Nursery School Sports Day
- For the kindergarten sports day! A list of obstacle course ideas
- Parent-Child Events for Sports Day: Recommended Ideas for Nurseries and Kindergartens
- Exciting for 4-year-olds! A collection of sports day event ideas for preschoolers (middle class)
- [For Preschoolers] Get Fired Up at the Sports Day! Fun Parent-Child Activity Ideas That Everyone Will Enjoy
- Wall decoration ideas recommended for sports day at nursery schools and kindergartens
- Recommended Themes and Slogans for Nursery and Kindergarten Sports Days
[Childcare] Recommended Program Ideas for Sports Day (71–80)
Where’s my kid?
I think a sports day gets more exciting when there are events with a strong element of luck.
So I’d like to introduce “Where’s My Kid?” The rules are very simple.
First, a child hides inside a large cardboard box.
The parent then has to find the box their child is hiding in, pick them up for a piggyback, and head for the finish line together.
It’s also fun to switch up the last part to something like a three-legged race.
Alternatively, you can have the parent hide instead of the child.
There are many possible variations, so it’s also great to let the kids come up with the rules themselves.
The rice ball goes rolling, roll, roll.
How about a competition inspired by the classic folktale “Omusubi Kororin,” beloved by children both in the past and today? Beforehand, read the picture book to the kids to share the story’s world.
Once the activity starts, they first stand inside the hula hoop placed at the start and pass their bodies through it from below.
Next, they move forward by rolling a large round rice ball—just like a giant ball roll.
Then, after placing the rice ball inside the second hula hoop, they run to the finish line.
It’s a fun and adorable obstacle race that’s perfect for a preschool sports day.
Jama-Jama Ball Toss
When it comes to games that kids and adults can enjoy together, “Jamajama Tamaire” tops the list.
Tamaire (ball toss) is a classic at sports festivals, but this version adds a twist by positioning people to interfere, making it harder to get the balls into the basket.
You can physically obstruct with illustrations or wall panels, or draw attention by wearing full-body suits—there are all sorts of ways to get in the way.
With the increased difficulty, even adults will find themselves getting serious.
It’s also fun to use quirky, comedic music as the background soundtrack.
Animal Train
A great recommendation for a dance program is “Animal Train.” In this one, children pretend to be animals like rabbits and monkeys who get on the train and dance.
Because you don’t need strict choreography, even younger kids can easily have fun dancing.
For example, when a rabbit gets on the train, try making ears over your head and jumping—use your imagination to mimic the animals’ movements! Besides animals, feel free to include train-like movements too.
The lively, cute dance will surely make parents smile.
Flower arranging with everyone
Introducing a field day event that even very young children can enjoy: a collaborative flower arrangement race.
Prepare plenty of artificial flowers big enough for a child to hold in their arms.
Try making them in a variety of colors like yellow, red, and pink.
At “Ready, go!” the children run to the bouquet pile and each picks their favorite flower.
They then run with the flower, place it into an empty container at the far end of the course, arrange it nicely, and cross the finish line.
The rules are simple, and it’s a delightful event where you can see the children looking adorable as they play.
Parachute (paraballoon) performance
One of the most popular events at kindergarten and nursery school sports days is the parachute (paraballoon)! It’s a group performance using a single large round piece of fabric.
Everyone works together to inflate the parachute, spread it out, and march with it.
The movements and arrangements are endless.
When teachers join in, you can even do a move called the merry-go-round! The dynamic, colorful parachute is sure to create lasting memories for everyone.
hoop dance
“Hoop dance” is a style of dance that uses a hula hoop.
It’s a perfect idea for sports days or school performances, so be sure to check it out.
Choreography and structure are up to you.
Lift the hula hoop to the music, sway it side to side, jump rope with it, or spin it by striking it against the floor.
In the latter half, you could include eye-catching moves like exchanging hula hoops with friends or forming a circle with everyone holding hoops together.
Move your bodies a lot and have fun together!
