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
- [Childcare] Sports Day activity ideas. Let’s make the Sports Day exciting!
- For the daycare’s sports day! Fun and unique event ideas
- [Childcare] Unique event ideas to try at a sports day
- 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 (31–40)
Play Park Together

In the interactive exercise “Let’s Play Park Together,” parents and children can try all kinds of movements: holding hands and jumping, cradling the children like treasures, playing bowling, and more.
Since you can switch roles in the bowling activity, if the parent plays the pins and does some funny moves, it might bring out smiles from the kids.
Finish by lifting the children up high for a grand finale! It’s sure to make a wonderful photo opportunity.
It may look difficult, but there’s actually not much dancing involved, so even one-year-olds should be able to enjoy it fully.
Mr. Ant on an errand

Let’s clear the mission! Here’s an idea inspired by “The Little Errand Ant.” Many of you probably know the children’s song “Otsukai Arisan.” This time, let’s incorporate it as a sports day event.
Once you’ve made the treats using colored plastic bags, poster paper, and construction paper, you’re all set.
Familiar items like candies, donuts, and biscuits work well.
Following cards that display illustrations of treats at random, children carry oversized treats in a unique relay-style competition.
tug of war

A classic crowd-pleasing event! Here are some ideas for a tug-of-war.
Many parents and teachers may remember competing in tug-of-war when they were young.
Why not hold a tug-of-war as a timeless activity that still gets everyone excited? As each team comes up with strategies and puts them into practice, it can be a great opportunity for children to grow.
They can learn a lot by understanding winning and losing and by keeping promises while participating.
Give it a try!
I ended up doing it.

Let’s try moving like animals and insects to the melody of “Alps Ichiman-jaku.” Use your whole body to express the characteristics of different creatures.
The uniquely adorable movements of one-year-olds are sure to warm the hearts of those around them.
Doing this together with parents or guardians will make it even more fun for the children.
At the end of the song, the children will say “We did it!” to their caregivers while sharing a hug or a high-five.
It’s an event that highlights the children’s cuteness right up to the finish.
Enjoy freshly picked fruit

Let’s feed seasonal fruits to the animals! Here’s an idea for a fresh-picked fruit feast.
Prepare a strawberry tree, a banana tree, an apple tree, and animal motifs (rabbit, monkey, elephant) with holes for their mouths.
Once you start, choose your favorite fruit and detach it from the tree.
Carry the fruit in your hand as you move to the next area.
The challenge is to put the fruit into the mouth of your chosen animal to feed it.
Give this fresh-picked fruit feast idea a try!
[Childcare] Recommended Program Ideas for Sports Day (41–50)
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.
Core circuit

Balancing is fun! Here are some ideas for a core-strength circuit.
The core refers to areas like the chest, back, abdomen, and lower back, as well as the muscle groups that support them.
Training the core can help improve posture stability, balance, and overall athletic performance! Incorporating a core circuit into activities could help children grow both mentally and physically.
Holding poses together while cooperating with parents or friends can also create meaningful bonding time.



