[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 exciting indoor-friendly events! (21–30)
Big Pants Race
A competition where teams of two get into a giant pair of pants and compete in a relay.
Since each person puts one leg into the giant pants, if their teamwork—like stride length and speed—isn’t in sync, they can’t move as they intend, which makes it exciting to watch.
Compared to a three-legged race, which also requires coordination between two people, this has more freedom of movement and a lower risk of falling, so it can be held for all ages, from children to the elderly.
Giant pants big enough for two people aren’t usually sold, so you’ll need to make them and prepare in advance, but crafting them and showcasing each team’s individuality is part of the fun, making it an event that builds excitement from the preparation stage.
ball toss (traditional Japanese beanbag/ball-throwing game)
Tamaire, the star event of sports days.
In elementary and junior high school competitions, tamaire usually involves throwing balls into a high basket, and the team that gets the most balls in wins.
But did you know there are many variations these days? There’s Dancing Tamaire, where you dance while the music plays and throw when it stops, and Relay Tamaire, where you run a relay before throwing.
You can adapt it to the number of participants and their ages.
There are also versions with low baskets so small children and older adults can join.
Give your own original style of tamaire a try!
Butt-walking race
A game where you aim for the finish line by moving forward using only your butt, without using your hands or feet.
Starting from a tucked-seated position, you lift your legs into the air at the signal and propel yourself using only the swing of your arms.
It takes stamina and technique not just for adults but for children as well.
It’s generally played over a shorter distance than a regular footrace, but since you don’t move as smoothly as you’d expect, both participants and spectators can have a good laugh and get excited.
It’s also fun not only as a race but in a tag-style format, and it’s a game you can enjoy indoors where space is limited.
Spoon Relay
Super balls, which are also popular as prizes at festival stalls, are the stars of a relay called the Ladle Relay.
In this event, you scoop up a super ball with a ladle, run, and pass it directly into the next runner’s ladle.
Because the inside of the ladle is smooth, even slight vibrations can make the ball fall out.
Another characteristic is that if you drop it, the ball tends to roll a long way.
Try to be both careful and quick.
It’s fun even with a short running distance, making it perfect for playing in a small space.
Ping-pong ball relay
How about trying a ping-pong ball relay that’s simple yet thrilling? Split into teams, place a ping-pong ball on a ladle, and at the signal “Start!!” the first runner sets off, loops around the turnaround point, returns to the starting line, and passes the ladle to the next person.
It sounds easy, but ping-pong balls are light and slippery, so if you go too fast, they’ll slide off in no time.
It’s a competition that gets exciting because you have to hurry while carefully keeping the ball from falling—striking that perfect balance is the real challenge.