How to Organize a Field Day for Children

That’s why we want to take this opportunity to offer some ideas to design a successful field day for children. Take note!

A field day is a fun outdoor activity where children compete against themselves and others in different activities. When planning a field day, be sure to adapt the games to the abilities and ages of the children that will participate.

Races, games and obstacle courses are all excellent options to consider according to the space you have available. If you’re organizing a field day for teams, then you want to be sure to divide the children fairly.

Furthermore, we recommend rotating between activities that involve physical exertion with skill games. That way, children won’t get tired so fast.

Maintaining balance among the different activities is what will determine the success of your field trip. And while some children will stand out physically, others will stand our for their intellectual abilities.

Below, we’ll offer some suggestions of what activities to include.

The best ideas for a field day for kids

1. Animal races

The first activities to include in a field day for children are animal races. You can simulate a donkey race (running on all fours), a one-legged dog race (jumping on one foot), a frog race (jumping from a squatting position with hands on the floor) or a kangaroo race (jumping while standing). Whoever crosses the finish line is the winner of the activity.

2. Inflatable ring toss

For this second activity, one participant should stand in the center while the rest of the players stand in line several feet away.

Then, participants will grab an inflatable ring (or ball) to toss towards the person standing still in the middle. The players or team that has the best aim wins.

3. Water balloon toss

This third field day activity requires two teams, each of whom will stand in a circle. Once the teams are prepared, you just need two water balloons for each team.

The activities consist of team members passing the balloons to one another without them falling on the floor. If a balloon touches the ground, the team automatically loses. The first team to pass the balloons around the circle twice wins.

4. Shoe toss

This fourth game is really fun, especially during hot summer weather. Divide participants into two teams and draw a line in the center. From then on, members of each team will, one at a time, toss their shoes in the middle of the playing field.

When every child’s shoes are in the center, the second part of the game begins. Now, members must race to grab their shoes, put them on, and run towards the finish line. The first team to complete the challenge wins.

5. Basketball toss

For the most part, children love sports and physical activities, so making them part of your field day guarantees success. In this case, you should once again form two teams, whose members will take turns trying to make baskets. 

Each child will have 2 opportunities to toss the ball into the basketball. The team that makes the most baskets wins. In the case of a tie, you can hold a tie-breaker round.

6. Three-legged race

The final suggestion we want to offer today is a three-legged race. The goal seems simple but requires a great deal of coordination among participants.

Children must first form groups of two. Then, one child will tie his or her left foot to his or her partner’s right foot (they can use a scarf, or just tie their shoelaces together). Then, pairs will race against each other to reach the finish point before the rest.

A classic alternative to this game is a sack race, where each participant gets into a sack and jumps toward the finish line.

Finally, don’t forget that this list of the best field day activities is simply a starting point. The main goal of the event should be for all of the children to have fun as they play together. Also, remember that there should always be an adult present to supervise to keep children safe.