For the daycare’s sports day! Fun and unique event ideas
The sports day held every year at nursery schools and kindergartens.
It’s an event that not only the children, but also their parents look forward to.
Many teachers are probably thinking, “We want to make it a fun sports day that gets both participants and cheerleaders excited!” So this time, we’ve gathered ideas for fun events that are perfect for sports day.
From dynamic and unique activities you can only do at sports day, like rolling giant balls or breaking bell balloons, to ones that cleverly incorporate classic folktales and pretend play that children love—there are plenty of ideas for events that curious kids will adore and join with sparkling eyes! Use these as inspiration to plan a sports day full of humor that’s a little different from the usual.
For the nursery school sports day! Funny & unique event ideas (1–10)
Shopping Competition
The shopping race is an event where you aim for the finish line while doing some shopping! You push a cart to a designated area, do a bit of shopping… so it might be a little challenging.
It’s recommended for children aged two and up.
To prevent carts from bumping into each other, adjust the number of participants in each race.
Preparing the equipment can be a bit of work, but it’s a competition that excites both kids and parents!
Bell-breaking race
In the bell-breaking race, you throw balls to break bells hanging overhead, similar to a beanbag toss.
When you succeed, the bell breaks open and confetti bursts out, and everyone cheers! If you’re making the bells by hand, though, adjusting their strength can be tricky.
If the adhesive is too strong, they won’t break easily, so once the event is underway, peel the glue a bit or give them a little help so they’ll break more readily.
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.
Dekapan Torch Relay
Footraces and relays are the star events of a school sports day.
Watching children run their hearts out is adorable on its own, but let’s add a creative twist to make the event even more exciting.
If there’s a race where kids run in pairs with friends or parents, prepare an oversized pair of pants that both can wear at once.
If the pair runs wearing a handmade jumbo pair of pants, it’s sure to become a crowd-pleasing highlight of the sports day.
It’s like a pants version of a three-legged race.
Let’s steal the show with laughter and applause as pairs synchronize their steps and run together in one big pair of pants.
Urashima Taro
Urashima Taro, the picture-book hero you know, has become a sports day event.
Take on the roles of the characters and clear each challenge as if tracing the story.
This is a paired event for two people—children team up with an adult, such as a teacher or guardian.
To start, transform into your character.
Dress like Urashima Taro or wear a turtle shell, then hold hands and run to the checkpoint while overcoming obstacles.
Once you’ve picked up the required items, make a U-turn, return to the starting point, and pass the baton to the next pair.
Let’s liven things up with a cheerful relay that combines cute cosplay and mission-clearing fun.
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.
Found you, Mom!
Here are ideas for sports day events that will get kindergartens and daycare centers excited, and that even small children can enjoy participating in.
It’s a color-matching game where children look for and match items of the same color.
Place colorful dinosaur eggs prepared by the teachers in the middle of the field.
Children find the dinosaur mom that matches the color of the egg they chose and run to deliver the egg to her.
It’s a simple color-matching game that even little ones can join.
Be sure to include it in your sports day!