[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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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.
marching drill
At preschools and kindergartens where children regularly play musical instruments, adding a marching drill to the sports day program is highly recommended.
While playing percussion and wind instruments, the children move in various directions—up, down, left, and right—and form different formations.
It can be challenging because they have to do many things at once, but it’s perfect for cheering and energizing the event.
It might be a good idea to recruit volunteers—children who take music lessons, belong to a marching team, or simply want to give it a try.
Hoop diving
This is a hula-hoop event that builds a sense of unity—not only between parents and children, but among everyone on the same team.
First, each team lines up in a single file, alternating parent and child, and holds hands.
Without letting go, they pass a hula-hoop from toe to fingertip, threading it over their bodies and on to the next person.
Teams race to see who can pass it all the way to the end the fastest.
It’s surprisingly tough—and it’s actually harder for adults to get through the hoop than for kids, which is part of the fun.
Cheer hard for your own team, of course, but for the opposing team too, and let’s all get excited and enjoy it together!
Non-stacking group gymnastics
This is “non-contact group gymnastics,” where individuals perform solo moves in succession or coordinate them simultaneously in large numbers.
By synchronizing poses to music, it conveys a unique sense of beauty and power.
At the beginning and end, stand tall with your chest out, imagining a full stretch from your back all the way to your fingertips.
The time-lagged fireworks formation has a domino-like impact that is thrilling to watch.
The collective beauty born from each person’s serious dedication to the routine moves the audience.