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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 Sports Day! Fun & Unique Event Ideas (71–80)

playing horsey

Horsey play & balloon play
playing horsey

Incorporating Olympic equestrian events into a school sports day’s parent–child activities might seem difficult, but if the parent gets down on all fours as the “horse” and the child rides on their back, it instantly transforms into a proper equestrian event! You can adjust the difficulty by adding various obstacles along the course.

If you do it outdoors, using mats can enhance safety and reduce strain on the parent’s knees.

Wearing a horse mask or having the child wear a helmet can make it feel more realistic and safer as well.

My First Errand

Tomobe Kindergarten Sports Day Event Descriptions No. 7 & 8: “My First Errand” and “Shopping as a Pair”
My First Errand

In the “First Errand” event, children run an errand as part of the activity.

Place a variety of foods along the course and have each child pick one they like.

Then they deliver it to the house that’s the same color as the food to reach the goal.

Make the foods and houses using materials like cardboard, newspaper, and construction paper.

Through the event, let parents watch their children successfully complete their errand and feel their growth.

Lick of ice cream

Tomobe Kindergarten Sports Day Event Description No. 6: “Lick the Ice Cream”
Lick of ice cream

Aim for the goal while keeping your balance! Here’s an idea for “Ice Cream Lick.” It’s a fun relay perfect for a 5-year-old’s sports day, featuring a quirky, eye-catching ice cream with lots of impact.

Place a large ice cream made from colored plastic bags on a giant cone, and carry it to the finish while maintaining balance! Kids can enjoy it as a relay on their own, or you can adapt it into a parent-child event.

Work together and head for the goal!

For the daycare sports day! Fun and unique event ideas (81–90)

Circuit of/with polypropylene ribbon (Suzuran tape)

Tanabata Circuit! [Ages 0–2] | Minami Senrioka Yui-en [Nursery/Kindergarten Event]
Circuit of/with polypropylene ribbon (Suzuran tape)

Let’s go through a curtain swaying in the breeze! Here’s an idea for a circuit using ribbon tape (suzuran tape).

All you need is ribbon tape.

Cut the tape into long strips and attach them to make a ribbon-tape curtain! Some children will use their hands to push the strips aside as they move forward, while others will dash through the curtain dynamically—showing their unique personalities.

For cautious children, reduce the amount of tape so they can see what’s beyond the curtain, which will help them feel more at ease.

Sponge block circuit

[Asunaro Nursery School] Circuit Play (Gather!! Nonoichi Kids)
Sponge block circuit

Let’s build your own course! Here are some ideas for a circuit using sponge blocks.

What you’ll need: sponge blocks, mats, a balance beam, and masking tape if necessary.

Sponge blocks come in a variety of shapes—rectangles, squares, triangles, and cylinders! Use a rich variety of sponge blocks to create your circuit course.

If you combine a balance beam and mats within the course, it’s sure to get kids excited and engaged.

A circuit for jumping over cardboard boxes

[You can do this at home too ✨] Circuit movement play 🎶 Let’s use things you have at home and move our bodies together!
A circuit for jumping over cardboard boxes

You can prepare this with materials you have at home or in your classroom! Here’s an idea for a cardboard jumping circuit.

You’ll need cardboard, scissors, a pen, a long floor cushion, and masking tape or vinyl tape.

Draw large illustrations on the cardboard and cut it in half.

Jump over the cut cardboard pieces and make your way to the goal.

With repeated actions like squatting and jumping, your whole body will warm up nicely.

Cardboard kart circuit

[3-year-olds] We made carts and had a race!
Cardboard kart circuit

Let’s have fun with decorations too! Here are some ideas for a cardboard kart circuit.

What you’ll need: a kart made from cardboard, hats made from construction paper, crayons or colored pencils, coloring pages, double-sided tape, building blocks, and balloons.

Some kids may have played go-kart or racing kart games before, right? Hop into a cardboard kart and race along a course made from blocks! It’s also great to arrange it as a parent-child activity.

Since decorating the cardboard karts is part of the fun, the making process looks exciting too!