Can you sense it? The end of the school year will be here before you know it and I, for one, am so excited! As a former homeschool mom I think the school year should be shorter and we should have more time with our families… but I know I’m in the minority so I’ll move on. Don’t stop reading! Because today I’m sharing some tips and ideas for most kid’s absolute favorite end of the year activity–field day. Today we’re diving into the world of field day activities for schools! It’s so important for our little ones to have fun, stay active, and build lasting memories. So field day activities are definitely a school event I can get behind! Some links contain affiliates, all opinions are my own.

why field day matters

Why do schools even do field day? Well, the pessimistic side of me says it’s because everyone is just so burned out by the end of the school year. However, although that might be partially true, the fact is that play is just an important part of learning and child development!

Field day isn’t just about running around and playing games. It’s about fostering a sense of community, teamwork, and sportsmanship. All are important traits for kids to learn and work on! It’s also about creating fun memories to start off summer with!

planning the perfect field day

Here’s the scenario–it’s the end of the school year. You know play is important for several reasons so your school has decided to plan a field day. So, let’s talk about how to plan the perfect field day event! Whether you’re a teacher, a parent volunteer, or a PTA member, here are a few ideas and tips to help you get started.

field day preparations

get everything organized

The key to a great field day is starting with good organization. Really, that’s the key to any successful event. Form a strong planning committee that will be reliable. This group should be comprised of teachers, parents, and school administrators. I’m the type of person that finds it hard to give up control, but it will make everything go so much smoother if people work together! You can assign tasks, set deadlines, and create a timeline for the field day activities.

encourage teamwork & sportsmanship

An end of the school year field day is the perfect opportunity to teach kids the values of teamwork and sportsmanship. Emphasize the importance of cheering on classmates, encouraging one another, and celebrating both victories and defeats. A fun activity to start off your day would be to make signs to cheer on everyone participating!

| Read: Organize your Own Summer Olympic Games |

choose the ideal date

There are a lot of things to consider when planning your field day event. There are factors such as weather, school schedules, and available facilities when choosing a date and location for the various events. Ideally, you’d be able to have your field day at the school site, but sometimes that’s not possible. Outdoor venues such as local parks can also work. Keep in mind that sometimes indoor alternatives can need to be considered in case of bad weather.

select a variety of activities

A fun field day for everyone means a variety of activities. Include a mix of traditional games like sack races and balloon tosses, as well as more creative activities like obstacle courses and scavenger hunts. These different types of activities will help appeal to all students and participants, regardless of ability level.

| Read: Free Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Worksheets |

don’t forget the details, i.e. snacks

Kids and snacks go together like peanut butter and jelly. All of the activity will certainly work up an appetite, and if it’s hot out everyone will be thirsty! It’s always best to have plenty of snacks and refreshments on hand. Consider setting up a hydration station with water and fresh fruit to keep everyone fueled and hydrated throughout the day. Yu may want to reach out to local businesses and see if one is willing to donate items for this, in exchange for advertisement at the event.

field day activities: let the fun begin!

Now that we’ve covered the basics of planning, let’s get down to the good stuff–the field day activities! Here are some classic and simple activities that are sure to be a hit with students of all ages.

Potato Sack Races

There’s nothing quite like the fun of hopping your way to victory in an old-fashioned potato sack race! This is a fun and simple field day activity that everyone knows how to do. Divide students into teams for relays or let them compete individually.

Tug-of-War

Tug-of-war is a great team activity that a lot of student scan participate in at the same time! One of the most important things when planning this activity though is how you pair up the teams. Be sure to match up teams based on age and size to ensure a fun and safe competition.

Water Balloon Toss

If you’re lucky enough to have nice weather during your field day, water balloons are the perfect activity! The kids can cool off and have fun at the same time with a water balloon toss! The rules are simple–pair students up and see how far they can throw their balloons without breaking them. Just be prepared for lots of laughter and maybe some wet clothing!

Obstacle Course

Planning an obstacle course is fun because you can make it as hard or simple to navigate as you’d like. Set up tunnels to crawl through, cones to weave around, and (low) balance beams to walk across. Have students compete in teams and time them to see who can finish the fastest!

Color Run

A color run is a fun way to kick off your field day activities! You can purchase color run powder in bulk online, just be sure to warn parents ahead of time or supply students with cheap tees. Set up a short course and let the kids run through while volunteers pelt the runners with bright colors they can sport the rest of the day! Have leaf blowers handy to blow excess dye off kids at the end of the run and cheap glasses handy to protect eyes.

Egg and Spoon Race

Slow and steady usually wins this race. The egg and spoon race is a field day classic. Students to race from one end of the course to the other without dropping their egg from their spoon. It’s harder than it looks, but a lot of fun too! If you want to cut down on mess and food waste, this is also a fun activity to do with water balloons!

Be sure to leave a comment below and let me know your favorite field day activities!

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