[Mini Sports Day] Carefully selected indoor-friendly events that really get everyone excited!
A mini sports day refers to a small-scale sports event held indoors.
Because it isn’t affected by the weather and can be run compactly in just a few hours to half a day, it’s held as an event at kindergartens and elementary schools, and even as a community activity.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of perfect activities for a mini sports day all at once.
We’ve gathered everything from classic sports day events to recreational games that children of different ages can enjoy together, so please use it as a reference.
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[Mini Sports Day] Carefully selected indoor-friendly, crowd-pleasing events! (1–10)
Moving beanbag toss
Speaking of tamaire (ball toss), it’s a popular event that’s a staple of school sports days! This “moving tamaire” is different from the usual version: one person runs around wearing the basket on their back while others chase them and try to toss balls in.
Tamaire is exciting even when you’re just throwing balls into a stationary basket, so having the basket move is guaranteed to amp up the fun! If children are the ones chasing, have an adult play the runner, and adjust the roles so it’s not too hard but not too easy, either.
UFO
“UFO” is a unique event featuring a special rule: participants carry a large exercise ball on their backs without dropping it.
Several people form a circle, support the ball back-to-back, and move forward while calling out to each other—just like a UFO floating in the air! Beyond balance, teamwork is the key to success, which greatly boosts team unity.
Even those who aren’t confident in sports can shine, and everyone shares a strong sense of accomplishment when it’s over.
Borrowed Item Race
The borrowing race, where you draw a prompt, find the specified item somewhere in the venue, and head for the finish line, is a staple event at sports days.
It can be fun to set the theme as things people at the venue are wearing, but if you make a person themselves the prompt, it may be easier for the audience to understand.
Including the review after the item is found and the team finishes, you can create an enjoyable atmosphere.
It’s important to choose prompts that are simple and easy for anyone to grasp, or that involve praising someone.
[Mini Sports Day] Carefully selected exciting indoor-friendly events! (11–20)
flag
Flags with synchronized movements make a perfect event for a sports day.
When preparing, the color and design of the flags will also be key points.
Choose colors that stand out even from a distance to brighten up the venue—highly recommended.
When waving the flags, keep enough distance to avoid bumping into others, and make sure to grip the flagpole firmly so you don’t drop it.
Pick music with a rhythm that both participants and spectators can enjoy, and make it a wonderful sports day!
Jumbo Baton Relay
Just watching the athletes in action will put a smile on your face—this is a uniquely fun sports day event.
Four representatives from each team compete in a relay, running 100 meters each.
The twist is that instead of a regular baton, they use a jumbo baton so large it must be held with both hands.
Running alone is challenging enough, but securely passing such a big baton is surprisingly difficult, which naturally gets the crowd excited.
It’s an event that captivates both kids and adults, making it a perfect highlight for any sports day.
Plastic Bottle Bowling
PET bottle bowling is a game where plastic bottles are used as bowling pins.
You can enjoy it without going to a bowling alley like the real thing, and because it can closely replicate the look, it’s also recommended as an event for indoor sports days.
You can adjust the difficulty by changing the amount of water in the bottles used as pins, making it suitable for groups with a wide range of ages.
Plus, you can add personal touches—such as making the lane flashy—so it’s a fun activity from the creation stage onward.
Tricycle Relay
It’s a relay using tricycles—fun toys for kids, but extremely challenging vehicles for adults! You have to tuck your body in, place your feet on the tiny pedals, and pedal with quick, small movements.
It takes more full-body strength than you’d expect and actually drains your energy quite a bit.
Steering through curves with the small handlebars is surprisingly tricky, too.
It looks comical and full of laughs, but every participant is dead serious! Why not include it as a quirky event to liven up your sports day?
