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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 (41–50)

Pa or Po

[Children's Sports Class Rex Sports Kids] Paka-Poko

Pa or Po

A tool that looks like a bucket with strings attached—let’s have them enjoy the unique sensation of coordinating their hands and feet through the strings.

The balance between the force of the hands pulling upward and the feet is crucial; focus firmly on this to aim for a stable walking motion.

Until they get used to how it moves, even just walking will be difficult, but once they’ve gotten the hang of it, it’s recommended to add challenges like stepping over a rope.

Large strides make it hard to keep balance, so start with small steps and gradually help them learn how to maintain their balance.

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two-wheeled scooter

Kick scooter race 🚳 #kindergartners #sportsday

two-wheeled scooter

How about incorporating kick scooters that even the older kindergarteners can ride into the obstacle course? In addition to kick scooters, it seems there are also products sold under the name “two-wheel scooter.” It’s best to choose ones large enough for the older kids, with thick tires that make them easy to ride.

Let’s have the children practice hard before the sports day so they can ride without falling! Once they get the hang of it, some kids might even be able to ride at a speed that would surprise adults.

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Ball scissors

Ball Chopstick Race

Ball scissors

The ball clamp is a great way to create that frustrating feeling of wanting to run fast but not being able to.

In this activity, you hold a rubber ball between your feet.

As you move your legs, the ball gradually slips backward and eventually falls.

If you’re doing it as a relay, it could be fun to pass the ball to the next runner using your feet.

However, since you likely won’t be able to attempt other obstacles while holding the ball, you’ll need to get creative with how you set things up.

Also, be careful: if the ball is too hard, it can hurt your feet.

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Rock-Paper-Scissors Obstacle Relay

Physical Activity Play Club: Rock-Paper-Scissors Relay

Rock-Paper-Scissors Obstacle Relay

This is an obstacle relay where you play rock-paper-scissors against a teacher waiting at checkpoints or turn-back points, and you can’t proceed unless you win.

The rules are simple, but since you can’t move forward on a tie or a loss, the outcome remains uncertain until the end, which adds to the fun.

For adults, you could make the rules tougher—like returning to the start if you lose—to make it even more exciting.

It’s a relay that tests not only speed but also luck, giving even those who aren’t great at sports a chance for a dramatic comeback.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Olympic Race

2020.10.3 Hiro’s senior-class sports day – Olympic race

Olympic Race

It’s a fun event that incorporates Olympic elements into an obstacle course.

At the start, you place a flame on a cone and carry it to the torch without letting it fall to light the cauldron.

Next up are a tire pull and a balance beam…

After overcoming various tough sections, the final obstacle awaits.

There are all kinds of obstacles like soccer, vaulting boxes, and hurdles, and it seems you can finish as long as you clear any one of them.

The kids might be setting up obstacles they’re each good at, creating a chance for everyone to shine.

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Rubber bar jump and crawl

[Play using equipment] Circuit play

Rubber bar jump and crawl

It can be a good idea to incorporate rubber-band over-and-under activities, which have a deep appeal.

“Over” means jumping over a stretched rubber band, and “under” means ducking under one.

Stretch rubber bands between two rows of cones and have participants move through them.

Try setting the rubber bands at different heights.

That way, a game-like element emerges where participants must decide whether to go over or under.

It’s interesting because it’s not just about moving the body in a simple way.

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced a wide range of recommended activity ideas for obstacle races at kindergarten sports days.

In addition to classics like crawling through tunnels and using the horizontal bar, there were also adorable, kid-friendly events like The Very Hungry Caterpillar and pretending to be animals.

Adding a theme or a storyline to the events, or incorporating trends that the children are currently into, makes them even more fun and gives the races a unique twist—highly recommended! Use this article as a guide to create an obstacle race everyone can enjoy.