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For the kindergarten sports day! A list of obstacle course ideas

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
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!

An obstacle race where you compete for speed while overcoming all kinds of obstacles is a sport that both participants and spectators can enjoy.

Some nursery schools and kindergartens may include obstacle races in their sports days.

This time, we’ll introduce obstacle race ideas that are perfect for such sports day events.

In addition to classics like crawling under nets and hopscotch, we’ve included activities like vaulting boxes and horizontal bars—perfect for showcasing the children’s daily practice—so please use these as a reference.

We hope it becomes a fun, memorable sports day!

For the kindergarten sports day! List of obstacle race ideas (1–10)

can stilts

Nostalgic! How to Play “Kampokkuri” ~Natsukaccho!~ [Chuba Chuba Wonderland – Chiba TV Official]

can stilts

How about using nostalgic “can stilts” as an obstacle course idea? Make holes near the top on both sides of empty cans, like from canned food, and thread a sturdy rope or cord through them.

You only need two, so the materials cost almost nothing and they’re easy to prepare! Can stilts are similar to traditional stilts, but they’re more stable, so even small children, like kindergarteners, can learn to use them quickly.

If you set up can stilts partway through the obstacle course and have participants run a set distance on them, it’s sure to be a hit.

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ball toss (traditional Japanese beanbag/ball-throwing game)

Tamaire is a game where teams such as the Red Team and White Team compete to see how many balls they can throw into a distant basket within a time limit.

It’s a classic event at sports festivals—simple yet exciting.

When incorporating it into a kindergarten sports day, it’s recommended to make adjustments like lowering the basket height.

Bringing the baskets closer to the children also makes it easier for the balls to go in.

Using fast-paced classical music or anime songs as background music is another great way to boost the excitement of the event.

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Kanon-chan becomes a butterfly at the sports festival – 10/October

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

An obstacle course inspired by the story of the picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Children pretend to be caterpillars searching for food and crawl through a series of holes featuring pictures of different foods.

As they overcome obstacles and pass through panels, the story unfolds until they finally grow into butterflies.

The butterfly illustrations displayed on the backs of the children who reach the finish line are absolutely adorable.

The growth of the children parallels the picture book’s narrative, which may move some parents to tears.

It’s an event that makes creative use of a unique, picture-book-themed idea.

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For the kindergarten sports day! List of obstacle course ideas (11–20)

Caterpillar race

Let's do a caterpillar relay using cardboard for 4-year-olds!

Caterpillar race

A caterpillar race where children crawl on all fours inside a caterpillar made from cardboard.

It’s a simple and safe activity, so it’s recommended for obstacle courses at kindergartens.

Kids can enjoy the excitement of moving forward inside the caterpillar and the thrill of competing for speed.

Among obstacle course events, this one takes time to cover even a short distance, so it’s great fun even in a classroom-sized space.

You can also set up cone markers for the turnaround point and a finish line to create a sports day atmosphere.

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horizontal bar

2020 Sports Day Sunflower Class Horizontal Bar Part

horizontal bar

When it comes to obstacle races that put the spotlight on every child, events using the horizontal bar are a great choice.

Children can show off classic moves on the bar, such as forward rolls and pullovers.

A key tip is to adjust the bar height to match each child’s ability.

Since all you need to do is set up the bar, it’s easy to get started right away.

It’s also an event that boosts the sense of unity in the venue through cheers and applause.

Another highlight is getting to see the children’s growth up close.

Give this event a try—it’s the kind of competition that makes everyone present want to cheer them on.

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Crawling through a tunnel

Crawling through a tunnel

Crawling through a tunnel

When it comes to events perfect for a thrilling sports day obstacle race, tunnel crawling is a great choice.

You can make tunnels using cardboard boxes or chairs, and have the children crawl through on all fours.

Since it’s done with hands and feet on the floor, it’s well-suited for indoor obstacle courses.

Setting up tunnels in a classroom or gym and competing to see who can crawl through the fastest sounds fun, too.

It’s an event that gets both the kids attempting the tunnel crawl and the cheering parents and teachers excited together.

Be sure to consider the tunnel’s width and darkness when you build it.

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hopscotch

130616 Ken-ken-pa

hopscotch

Hopscotch, where you repeatedly jump and land on circles on the ground in time with the rhythm, is a traditional game and a perfect fit for obstacle races at kindergarten sports days.

Prepare circles large enough for children to step through one by one and place them along the course.

The key is to jump with balance while keeping the “ken-ken-pa” rhythm in mind.

Since it’s often used in play settings, children will enjoy taking part.

It can be done both indoors and outdoors and helps develop physical abilities.

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