Lovely childcare

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! Obstacle course idea list (21–30)

The Hero’s Grand Adventure

Tomobe Kindergarten Sports Day Explanation Video: 6. The Brave Hero’s Grand Adventure

The Hero's Grand Adventure

Kids are sure to join in with excitement! Here’s an idea for a Brave Hero’s Grand Adventure.

In this event, parents and children work together to overcome activities like mats and balance beams, defeat a big monster, and then reach the finish line.

Using a crown or a cape as the baton helps create the right atmosphere—highly recommended! Adjust the number and type of activities based on your venue size, and try incorporating it into your sports day.

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An obstacle relay using a horizontal bar, mats, and a vaulting box

obstacle relay

An obstacle relay using a horizontal bar, mats, and a vaulting box

It’s an obstacle relay that goes beyond the familiar PE equipment like horizontal bars, mats, and vaulting boxes.

Aiming for the finish while clearing each task isn’t just a competition—it also works as a review and wrap-up of regular exercise, making it perfect for children’s sports days.

And if space and equipment can be arranged, adults can try it too; you’ll likely end up laughing as your body doesn’t move quite the way you expect.

It’s an obstacle race that guarantees excitement, letting you enjoy the unique fun of basic physical activities.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Fun Parent-Child Circuit

@fujikidstok
Happy time with parent and child ☺️ The children look so happy ☺️Family Parent and child Parent-child competition Sports Day
Original song – kids fun world – kids fun world

Like a little adventure! Here are some fun parent–child circuit ideas.

It’s great when the events let guardians see moments of their children’s growth.

This time, let’s try a jam-packed circuit that blends elements of exercise and recreation.

With activities like piggyback rides, balance beams, and “Acchi Muite Hoi,” it’s sure to be full of smiles from both guardians and kids! If teachers join in too, it could help deepen trust even further.

Definitely give it a try.

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Go! Go! Go! by Shinkansen!

FY2024 Kirara-en Sports Day Parent–Child Event for 0-, 1-, and 2-Year-Olds

Go! Go! Go! by Shinkansen!

Recommended for classes that love vehicles! Here are ideas for Shinkansen GO! GO! GO! Many children are likely interested in bullet trains and working vehicles.

How about planning events centered on the Shinkansen this time? Start at a gate where you tap a card.

Seat the child in a cardboard Shinkansen and have their guardian run while pulling or pushing it.

After passing through a “waterfall” made of plastic tape streamers, they receive a souvenir and head to the goal.

If you package the souvenir like a station bento (ekiben), it will add to the excitement.

Give it a try!

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PET bottle circuit

With its colorful look, it really lifts your spirits! Let me introduce an idea for a PET-bottle circuit.

All you need are 2-liter plastic bottles, tape, and paint.

Many people find it challenging to prepare all the equipment for circuit activities.

This idea is appealing because it makes use of plastic bottles, so there’s no need to buy new equipment.

Try creating a course where you walk across the tops of plastic bottles filled with brightly colored water, keeping your balance as you go!

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A circuit made with pool cues

[Ages 0–5] Seven Types of Indoor Educational and Physical Play! [Nursery School/Kindergarten]

A circuit made with pool cues

Let’s play while getting creative! Here are some circuit (obstacle course) ideas you can make with pool noodles.

All you need are pool noodles and a utility knife or scissors.

Cut the long pool noodles in half and use them for the course! Place the halved pool noodles on the floor and include a tightrope-walk section where kids crawl or walk along them.

You can also roll balls along the top of the noodles, or connect them into circles to make ring shapes—great ideas to try!

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Jump in a burlap sack

Kindergarten Sports Day: Obstacle Race Upset Victory!

Jump in a burlap sack

This obstacle involves putting both feet into a burlap sack and moving forward by jumping while pulling the sack up with your hands so it doesn’t slip off.

With your legs covered and movement restricted, encourage participants to think about how to use their whole body to move forward faster.

A sack that reaches around the waist is recommended; because it’s a size you can hold firmly with your hands, you can proceed steadily without tangling your legs.

Trying to take big steps makes it easy to lose balance, so emphasize stability and advise them to make small, quick movements.

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