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.
- Exciting for 4-year-olds! A collection of sports day event ideas for preschoolers (middle class)
- [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
- [Childcare] Unique event ideas to try at a sports day
- [Unique] Fun sports day events that both kids and adults can enjoy
- [Sports Day] Circuit Ideas for 5-Year-Olds
- [Childcare] Sports Day activity ideas. Let’s make the Sports Day exciting!
- [Childcare] Recommended circuit competition ideas for a sports day for 2-year-olds
- [Make Sports Day More Approachable!] Unique Event Names: Fun Competition Titles by Category
- Let’s get infants and one-year-olds excited at the sports day too! A collection of event ideas for parents and children to enjoy together.
- A toddler sports day that gets everyone excited! A collection of fun parent-child game ideas
- For the kindergarten sports day! A list of obstacle course ideas
- Fun Parent-Child Games! A Collection of Ideas to Liven Up Your Nursery School Sports Day
For the Nursery School Sports Day! Fun & Unique Event Ideas (41–50)
relay race
Let’s compete seriously while following the rules! Here are some ideas for a competitive relay.
The events for the older class are really thrilling, aren’t they? Among them, relays are something that can excite both children and adults.
Watching them aim for first place while keeping their promise to run the designated course is sure to be moving! Including a competitive relay in your sports day can really highlight the children’s growth.
It’s a good idea to decide on rules in advance, such as how to pass the baton and how to overtake.
For the Nursery School Sports Day! Fun & Unique Event Ideas (51–60)
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.
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!
Smiley woof-woof
A one-year-old who loves being held.
How about some activities they can do while being cuddled by their parents or guardians? Support the children’s bodies with your arms and gently rock them—like an elephant’s trunk swaying.
You could also try a game where, like a crane, you lift the children and have them grab a stuffed toy.
Another recommendation is to sit with the child on your lap and move your bodies to the song “Riding the Bus.” Through these activities, you’ll not only enjoy the games but also create warm moments of connection with the children.
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.
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?”
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!
