[Childcare] Unique event ideas to try at a sports day
A sports day is a precious once-a-year occasion where you can witness children’s growth.
Classic events are fun, but here we’ll introduce some unique, slightly unusual ones!
With quirky movements and creative ideas, kids can enjoy practicing even more.
You’ll also see more moments that bring spontaneous smiles to parents watching.
If you mix these events in between the standard ones, the whole sports day becomes even more entertaining.
By all means, create a sports day that leaves the children saying, “That was so much fun!”
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[Childcare] Unique Competition Ideas to Try at a Sports Day (91–100)
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.
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.
Traveling by train
You’re probably curious about what kind of event “traveling by train” is at a sports day! The rules are very simple: children get inside a cardboard train and run as if they’re traveling along the course.
On the course, they climb over low platforms shaped like hills, weave around cones, and jump over hula hoops—enjoying their trip as they go.
You can also include a game where you prepare puzzles with animal faces and bodies separated; along the way, they pick pieces so the top and bottom match, then assemble and stick them together at the end! It’s sure to be a fun journey for the kids! It’s also adorable if they enter and exit carrying handmade carry-on bags!
[Parent-Child Event] Fishing Game
![[Parent-Child Event] Fishing Game](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oEiFOeQBWM0/sddefault.jpg)
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.
Mr. Ant on an errand
How about a cute event perfect for preschools and kindergartens called “Little Ant Errand”? Waiting at the starting line are sweet treats that ants—and of course children—love.
Roll up newspaper and wrap it in plastic or paper to make oversized candies, cookies, and donuts.
Then, have the children put each treat into the box with the matching illustration and dash to the goal.
Cheer them on as they move forward, thinking, “Which treat is this?”
Animal Train
A great recommendation for a dance program is “Animal Train.” In this one, children pretend to be animals like rabbits and monkeys who get on the train and dance.
Because you don’t need strict choreography, even younger kids can easily have fun dancing.
For example, when a rabbit gets on the train, try making ears over your head and jumping—use your imagination to mimic the animals’ movements! Besides animals, feel free to include train-like movements too.
The lively, cute dance will surely make parents smile.