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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 course ideas (11–20)

rock-paper-scissors

It’s really simple, but the simpler a game is, the more fun and absorbing it can be, right? How about incorporating a game that anyone can play—rock-paper-scissors—into an obstacle course? You could even get the teachers involved and set a rule that you can’t move on unless you beat a teacher at rock-paper-scissors.

If you want to keep the event moving quickly, you might allow ties to count as okay.

Since rock-paper-scissors has a bit of a gambling vibe, it’s sure to turn the obstacle course into a thrilling, heart-pounding experience!

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Giant Pants Race

Giant Pants Race

Giant Pants Race

The “Big Pants Race” is a contest where pairs compete to see who can run fastest while sharing an enormous pair of pants.

Each teammate puts one leg into a pant leg and aims for the finish line, so teamwork is crucial.

Because two people are wearing a single pair of pants, you won’t always move forward as smoothly as you’d like.

In those moments, syncing your movements with your partner will help you run more smoothly.

You also won’t be able to take your eyes off the adorable sight of children tackling the event in oversized pants.

Give this event a try at your kindergarten sports day—it’s a great way to deepen the bonds among the kids.

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Rotate a hula hoop for 〇 seconds

United as one ... Yuri Class (5-year-olds)

Rotate a hula hoop for 〇 seconds

One activity that can express the sense of unity among kindergarten children is hula-hooping for a set number of seconds.

Everyone starts spinning their hula hoops at the same time to music and chants.

Within the allotted time, even if a hoop falls, the rule is that you can try again as many times as you like.

It’s heartwarming to see the children, who usually spend their days together at kindergarten, spinning their hula hoops side by side.

It’s an event that both athletic and not-so-athletic kids can participate in.

We also recommend adding variations, such as color-coding by class or group, or changing the music.

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Bridge

The bridge pose is often performed in group activities like formation gymnastics and in mat exercises.

Characterized by a posture that supports the whole body with the hands and feet, it also fits well with kindergarten sports days where young children shine.

Prepare a non-slip surface, such as a mat, so that it can be done safely.

To do the bridge, start in a ready position on hands and feet, then lift your stomach as you push against the floor.

When your back arches and your elbows and knees are straight, lift your head to complete the pose.

If you include it as part of an obstacle race, make sure a teacher stays nearby to assist at any time.

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ball rolling

A ball-rolling race where you roll a ball from the start to the finish.

It’s a versatile event, ranging from versions where one child rolls a ball alone to ones where several children roll a large ball together.

Use lightweight balls, like balance balls, so even preschoolers can handle them on their own.

Using colorful balls will also brighten the overall atmosphere of the sports day venue.

It’s easy to picture the adorable sight of children rolling the balls along.

Turning it into a team competition and racing in a relay format also sounds like fun.

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Net crawl-through

Kindergarten Sports Day: Obstacle Race Upset Victory!

Net crawl-through

Net crawling is a classic event in obstacle races.

Because it’s a simple challenge—crawling under the net in front of you—it’s perfect for sports days where kindergarteners can shine.

You can set it up in many ways, from a more serious version with the net stretched close to the ground to one fixed at a certain height to make crawling easier.

Getting tangled can stop you in your tracks, while moving smoothly can help you stage a big comeback—that’s part of the fun.

Speed matters, but it’s also important to stay calm and focus on moving forward.

Consider adding this event, which can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors, to your sports day lineup.

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For the kindergarten sports day! Obstacle course idea list (21–30)

Core circuit

Core Circuit for 5-Year-Olds

Core circuit

Balancing is fun! Here are some ideas for a core-strength circuit.

The core refers to areas like the chest, back, abdomen, and lower back, as well as the muscle groups that support them.

Training the core can help improve posture stability, balance, and overall athletic performance! Incorporating a core circuit into activities could help children grow both mentally and physically.

Holding poses together while cooperating with parents or friends can also create meaningful bonding time.

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