Lovely childcare

For the daycare’s sports day! Fun and unique event ideas

9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

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)

[Parent-Child Event] Fishing Game

5 parent-child activities we want to do at kindergarten and nursery school sports days

[Parent-Child Event] Fishing Game

A parent-child event to build strength at the sports day: the Fishing Game.

In this game, the parent is the angler and the child plays the fish.

First, prepare a long towel and tie a knot at one end.

Have your child lie down, pinch the knot between their feet, and firmly hold the remaining length of the towel with both hands.

Once you’re set, the parent (the angler) pulls on the towel the child is holding and drags them along.

Be careful—if either of you loses your grip on the towel, you’ll come apart! If you’re doing this as a sports day event, we recommend a team relay format.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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