[Exercise] Recreational Ideas for Olympic Sports
Many children look forward to the Olympics that come around once every four years!
Even with sports they don’t know, watching can make them want to cheer.
Seeing athletes compete with all their might can inspire kids to think, “I want to try that too!”
Here, we’ll share fun recreation ideas inspired by Olympic events.
These activities let children from preschool to elementary school move their bodies with ease, so everyone can have fun being active together—play energetically and enjoy yourselves!
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- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
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- A collection of simple indoor recreational games
- [For Junior High Students] A Summary of Sports You Can Do in the Gym
- [Get Fired Up!] Classic Sports Day Events: Ideas for Popular Races and Games
- Get the Fun Going! Easy Classroom Games You Can Play at School: Recreational Activities for the Whole Class
- [For Kids] Today's Recommended Recreation Idea Collection
- [Mini Sports Day] Carefully selected indoor-friendly events that really get everyone excited!
- [For General Audience] Trivia & Fun Facts Quiz on the Olympics and Paralympics
- Recommended athletic meet events you can enjoy indoors
- [Parent-Child Rec] Recreational activities and games for parents and children to enjoy together—also great for sports days.
- A roundup of recreational activities and games using paper cups
[Exercise] Recreation Ideas for Olympic Sports (1–10)
Balloon Tennis

Kids’ smiles bursting with joy! Here are some balloon tennis ideas.
Tennis is usually played with a racket and a tennis ball, right? In the video, they’re using rackets with Anpanman illustrations.
Using larger-than-normal balloons might make it easier to hit with the racket.
Since balloons can easily be carried away by the wind, if you play balloon tennis outdoors, it’s best to choose a spacious area and a day with little wind.
It’s also a fun idea for indoor play.
balloon volleyball

Let’s have fun moving our bodies! Here are some ideas for balloon volleyball.
Volleyball is a sport where two teams face off across a net, hitting the ball back and forth to score points.
This time, all you need is a single balloon.
You can even find them at 100-yen shops these days, so it’s easy to prepare.
The way to play is simple: two or more people face each other and tap the balloon with their hands to keep a rally going.
Once you get used to it, try counting out loud or playing a word-chain game (shiritori) while you rally.
high-jump-style rubber jumping

Let’s get into classic Showa-era games! Here’s an idea for rubber jumping, similar to high jump.
Rubber jumping is the game where you hook a rubber band around your legs, stretch it, and jump over it alternately.
It seems to have been popular mainly among girls during the Showa period.
What you need is flat elastic.
Start with the height at your ankles.
As you get used to it, raise it to your calves, knees, thighs, and then your waist.
If you practice every day, your athletic ability will improve, and you’ll likely be able to clear higher levels over time.
[Exercise] Recreational Ideas for Olympic Sports (11–20)
Go! Go! Gold Medal

Let’s enjoy a parent-and-child exercise together! Here are some GO! GO! Gold Medal ideas.
This activity is a fun workout where you move your body to music using small hoop-like items.
You can make the rings from everyday materials, like cutting them out of newspaper or paper plates.
Since it’s themed around gold medals, finishing them with gold holographic tape would be great.
Facing each other and making eye contact, as well as physical touch, can deepen your bond even more.
triathlon
Let’s clear the challenges set at each station and aim for the finish! Here’s a triathlon-inspired idea.
A triathlon is a race where you swim, cycle, and run in sequence to reach the goal, right? This time, let’s try playing a game where you aim for the finish by overcoming a series of continuous challenges, just like a triathlon.
In the video, it looks like pairs are cooperating and playing together.
How about incorporating this into your activities with some adaptations?
Group boat race
@hiyoko_sakuranbo You can start tomorrow! Group rhythm “Boat Race” “Solo boat” and “Two-person boat” are fun, but doing it as a group of 7 or 8 is even more fun! If you include it at the end of a requested staff training, the teachers’ smiles burst forth, and you can finish the session in a joyful atmosphere. It’s the same with children. If you end with a rhythm activity everyone can enjoy together, you’re sure to see the biggest smiles. ✨ Give it a try in tomorrow’s childcare! **************** “Saito Kimiko’s Cherry Rhythm Play” is a scientifically grounded method that promotes children’s development through play. We share rhythm activities that can be implemented immediately in educational settings through workshops and at preschools nationwide. **************** Mayumi Murata | Cherry Rhythm Play ▶ Book text composition for “DVD Book Complete Visual Edition: Saito Kimiko’s Childcare” ▶ Planning and editing for “Illustrated Edition: Saito Kimiko’s Sakura·Sakuranbo Rhythm Play” Thank you for your likes and follows!#Cherry Rhythm PlaySakura Sakura-nbo Rhythm#Rhythm PlayRhythm PlayHiroko SaitoNursery teacher / Childcare workerKindergarten TeacherGroup boat race
♪ Original Song – hiyoko_sakuranbo – hiyoko_sakuranbo
Perfect for class recreation or grade-level activities! Here are ideas for a group boat race.
You know how rowing is an Olympic sport, right? This time, we’re sharing ideas for a boat race played in groups.
In the video, teams of seven sit in a row and inch forward toward the goal by pushing with their heels.
It’s not just the person in front who does the work—when everyone on the team synchronizes their timing, you can make big progress! It’s also a good idea to use a chant like “1, 2, 1, 2” or “Ready, go!”
Tag Rugby Game

Recommended for elementary school students too! Here are some ideas for tag rugby games.
Tag rugby is a sport based on rugby where, instead of tackling the opponent, the game progresses by removing tags attached to the players’ waists.
For example, one of the five play ideas shown in the video is a game where you set up three cones and run laps around them while trying to take your opponent’s tag.
Give them a try and see how they work for you!



