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 School Sports Day! Fun & Unique Event Ideas (41–50)

Animal Race

🧡No.97 [Parent-Child Play / Motor Skills Development] “Animal Race Finals: Five Events 🏁” Become animals like frogs, bears, babies, and more, and compete! 👍 Learn the fundamentals of movement in a fun, game-like race 🏁 👍

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.

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For the Nursery School Sports Day! Fun & Unique Event Ideas (51–60)

Zip along as a parent and child!

[Play] Zooming with Parent and Child (Kindergarten/Daycare)

Zip along as a parent and child!

Let’s set off on a parent-child journey! Here’s a dance track called “Oyako de Byuun.” In this song, you spread your arms like an airplane and move around, and caregivers can dance while giving children piggyback rides.

At the end, you can lift the children and let them “fly,” and it’s packed with active play that kids will love and beg to do again.

Because it encourages lots of physical contact, it will help strengthen the parent-child bond.

It also sounds fun to dance while asking, “Where are we going?”

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Panda Ball Toss with a Laundry Net

No.064 “Panda Ball Toss with a Laundry Net” [Handmade Toy by a Nursery Teacher]

Panda Ball Toss with a Laundry Net

Here’s a panda ball-toss game using everyday laundry nets that will liven up your sports day.

Prepare a two-tiered laundry net for the basket section, a hot glue gun, hook-and-loop fasteners, and scissors.

Cut the two-tier laundry net with scissors and use the lower section.

Prepare large pieces of felt for the mesh area, and glue on the eyes, nose, and mouth to create the panda’s face.

Glue together felt pieces cut in half to form the mouth.

Prepare two milk cartons, fix them inside the mouth, and set them so balls can roll in smoothly.

Hang the finished panda on the wall and enjoy playing the ball-toss game!

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Snack-Grab Race

Snack-getting race (using bread-hanging strings)

Snack-Grab Race

An arranged version of the bread-eating race! Here’s an idea for a Snack-Grab Race.

It’s a perfect, exciting activity for a sports day with five-year-olds.

The rule is that participants must get a treat hanging from a string without using their hands—by jumping and using their bodies.

Through the competition, children can enjoy themselves while nurturing a spirit of challenge.

Individual results matter, but since everyone can cheer each other on and have fun together, it will become a memorable event.

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[Parent-Child Event] Sushi Relay

@piyopiyo0519
I don’t dislike that quality.　Mom loves you They say it doesn't look like sushi once you sit down.Sports Day We couldn’t do it this year.#Nursery school
Original song – Susu – Susu

This parent-child event, inspired by sushi, is incredibly unique and adorable! Just like its name, “Sushi Relay,” the children run part of the course wearing backpack-style sushi toppings on their backs.

From the middle of the course, the children ride on a tire while their guardians pull them to the finish line.

It looks just like sushi plates gliding along a conveyor belt—super cute! With such a fun and creative concept, it’s sure to get the whole venue excited.

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Kicking Sniper

Tried VS Arashi’s Kicking Sniper, part 2

Kicking Sniper

How about incorporating a “Kicking Sniper” event, modeled after soccer—one of the Olympic sports? In this game, you kick a ball at targets, and the person who knocks down the most wins.

You can use softer balls suited to the participants’ ages, and making the targets popular characters could add extra fun.

For infants, you might intentionally place the targets in an unstable way so they topple easily, while for preschoolers, adding mechanisms that make the targets move would make it even more exciting.

Give it a try together as a parent-child team!

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obstacle race

Tomobe Kindergarten Sports Day, Nursery Class: “Help! Toothbrushing Man”

obstacle race

Become Tooth-Brushing Man, a hero who defeats nasty cavities, and run through obstacles to reach the goal.

This adorable obstacle race, where little preschoolers run their hearts out, is a highlight of the kindergarten sports day.

At the teacher’s starting signal, children clear the obstacles in their own lane.

Right in front of them stands a big obstacle representing Tooth-Brushing Man’s enemy—the germs.

Once they knock it down with all their might, they dash toward the finish line.

The obstacles aren’t difficult, so even the youngest children can join in and have fun.

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