There’s nothing quite like a primary school sports day to bring out the energy, excitement, and competitive spirit in a school. From cheering on classmates to watching parents compete in the three-legged dash, sports day is a highlight of the summer term in many primary schools.
But when is sports day typically held? Most primary schools in the UK hold their sports day between May and July, taking advantage of (hopefully!) warmer, drier weather and longer days. Sports Day is an excellent opportunity to bring everyone in the school together for some light-hearted fun, celebrate physical activity, encourage healthy competition, and create memories that last a lifetime.
Whether you're a teacher planning a full day of activities or a parent looking forward to participating, this guide is packed with the best Sports Day games, Sports Day races ideas, and even some funny Sports Day games for adults. We have also included a handy sports day equipment checklist to help make your day run smoothly.
Classic Sports Day Races for Children
Below is a selection of classic sports day ideas for children. Feel free to adapt as you feel suits your children, such as changing the distances covered or the equipment used.
a. Sack Race
- How to play: Children hop from the start to the finish line in a sack.
- Equipment: Hessian/burlap sacks and cones to mark the running area.
b. Egg and Spoon Race
- How to play: Balance an egg (or plastic equivalent) on a spoon and race from the start to the finish line. 20 – 30 metres is an ideal distance.
- Equipment: Spoons, hard-boiled/plastic eggs, and cones to mark the running area.
c. Three-Legged Race
- How to play: Pairs of children race with adjacent legs tied together from the start to the finish line. 20 – 30 metres is an ideal distance.
- Equipment: Soft ties/velcro straps and cones to mark the running area.
d. Bean Bag Balance
- How to play: Balance a bean bag on the head while walking from the start to the finish line. 15 – 20 metres is an ideal distance.
- Equipment: Bean bags and cones to mark the running area.
e. Wheelbarrow Race
- How to play: One child walks on hands while the partner holds legs. This is a moderately difficult activity– perfect for Key Stage 2.
- Equipment: Cones to mark the race area.
Egg and Spoon Race
Team-Based Sports Day Activities
Sports days are a good opportunity to have intra-class competition. Why not try some of these team-based sports day activities ideas?
a. Relay Race
- How to play: Teams pass batons while racing in stages. But this could also be adapted to cover team relay races for egg and spoon, wheelbarrow and sack races!
- Equipment: Batons, cones for lanes – plus equipment for any variations, such as sacks.
b. Tug of War
- How to play: Two teams pull on opposite ends of a rope. The first team to pull the other past the centre mark at the winners.
- Equipment: Tug of war rope – please note the correct type of rope should be used to ensure a safe activity. Grass or mats. Cones to mark to the centre point.
c. Obstacle Course
- How to play: Set up various challenges (cones, hoops, crawling tunnels).
- Equipment: Cones, hoops, balance beams, etc.
d. Bean Bag Throw
- How to play: Toss bean bags into targets from a distance. Always set a starting point to throw from to ensure fairness.
- Equipment: Bean bags, buckets/targets, cones.
e. Water Carry
- How to play: Set up a container of water at the start line and a bottle with a line marked on it a distance of 5 – 10 metres away. In the water containers, place a plastic cup with a hole in the bottom. Each player takes a turn to run with the cup of water and try and fill the bottle. The first team to reach the line is the winner.
- Equipment: Water containers such as pans, plastic cups with holes in them, bottles with lines marked on them, and cones for lanes.
You can adapt any race into a relay race, from simple baton exchange to egg and spoon relays!
Sports Day Games for Adults and Parents
Let’s not forget the grown-ups! Getting mums, dads and carers involved builds a sense of school community and fun.
a. Parent Sack Race
- Same as the children’s – but funnier!
b. Wheelbarrow Race (Adults Only!)
- Hilarity guaranteed – keep it short and on soft grass.
c. Dad’s Sprint Challenge
- Short-distance sprint – 50m dash with mini medals for top three.
d. Mum’s Sprint Challenge
- Short-distance sprint – 50m dash with mini medals for top three.
e. Egg and Spoon Showdown
- Let the adults try what their children did – usually with dramatic (and funny) results.
f. Tug of War – Adults vs Teachers
- The grand finale – high energy and a real crowd-pleaser!
- Equipment: Tug of war rope – please note the correct type of rope should be used to ensure a safe activity. Grass or mats. Cones to mark to the centre point.
Parents versus Teachers Tug of War! A great finale to sports day!
Essential Sports Day Equipment Checklist
- Sacks (hessian or fabric)
- Spoons & eggs (plastic or boiled)
- Bean bags & cones
- Rope for tug of war
- Velcro straps/soft ties for three-legged races
- Pans for water
- Plastic bottles with lines marked
- Plastic cups with a hole in
- Medals and trophies
- Water
- Shaded areas
- Sun hats for children
- Extra sunscreen
- First aid kit/inhalers
- Whistle and stopwatch for referees
- Tape measure
- Clipboards, scoresheets and pens
Make an equipment list and check you have everything you need
A well-planned primary school sports day is an excellent way to promote physical activity, teamwork, and school spirit. From timeless classics we all remember, like the sack race and egg and spoon, to hilarious sports day games for adults, there’s something for everyone, even the teachers! Whether you’re a teacher organising the event or a parent cheering from the sidelines (or taking part!), these sports day games will help make the day memorable, inclusive, and fun. With the right sports day equipment, good organisation and a bit of dry weather, your school’s big day is bound to be a success!
For more on Sports Days why not check out our ‘How to plan a primary school sports day’ blog?