Looking for a children’s party idea that gets everyone involved, encourages plenty of outdoor fun and doesn’t rely on expensive equipment? A sports day party is a clear winner! It’s perfect for energetic kids, and completely customisable for all ages and abilities. Best of all, unlike the dreaded school sports day – parents’ race anyone? This is simple, stress-free fun for everyone.
But while a sports day party sounds straightforward (and it totally can be), there are a few behind-the-scenes details you’ll want to consider well before you send the invites out.
Here at Party-Wizz, we know it’s often the little things that make the biggest difference.
That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide covering everything from food and drink to fun and games. Whether you need ideas for a venue, decorations and activities, or advice on keeping the kids safe, we’ve got you covered. Our aim is to make the organising as easy as possible, so you can focus on enjoying the day and building memories.
So, let’s start planning! On your marks, get set, go!
Choosing a Venue for Your Sports Party
Your Garden
If you have a reasonably sized garden, this could be the simplest option – assuming, that is, you’re not too worried about your flowerbeds! You’ll have your own kitchen, fridge and toilets and, should the weather take a turn for the worse, an indoor space. Plus, you don’t need to transport food or other items very far.
A Park or Recreation Ground
For a larger sports day party, or older children, a local park or playing field offers much more space to run around.
Before choosing an outdoor space, do check whether you need permission to hold a party there and if there are any restrictions on organised activities. It is also wise to visit beforehand to check out the practicalities as well as the layout.
Check the availability and location of toilet facilities, seating for adults and any hazards such as roads, ponds or low-hanging trees. Last but not least, find out whether there is parking close to where you intend to set up.
Food is a little more complicated in this setting as you’ll need to ensure items like cooked meats, cheese and other chilled items remain at a safe temperature; cool boxes are essential in this scenario.
And don’t forget to hatch a plan B in case of inclement weather.
Community Centre or Village Hall
If you want a larger space but don’t trust the British weather, a community centre could be a great compromise. This type of space will usually have kitchen and toilet facilities and, in some cases, an enclosed outdoor space, giving you the best of both worlds.
Before booking, check exactly what’s included in the hire terms. Is there a kitchen, fridge and sufficient toilet facilities? Are tables and chairs provided, and will you have enough time to set up and clear away afterwards? If there is an outdoor space, check whether it’s included and suitable for your planned games. It’s also worth checking parking and cleaning arrangements prior to the party day.
Top Tip: Wherever you plan to hold your party, we suggest having a simple first aid kit on hand to deal with any minor mishaps – the odd scraped knee is almost inevitable.
Invitations
Whatever type of invitations you prefer – digital or paper – be very clear that this is a sports day party and that guests should wear suitable clothing, i.e. shorts/ leggings and T-shirts.
If you’d like some help with the wording of your kid’s birthday party invitation, then we have lots of suggestions in this article.
Décor
Not essential for this type of party, but if you do want decorations, keep them simple and sporty. Bunting, flags and balloons are ideal. However, if you’re using a park or community venue, it’s advisable to check what’s allowed and what isn’t.
Games and Activities
Now for the fun part! The games are what will really bring your sports day party to life, and you don’t need expensive equipment or complicated activities to keep the children entertained. Here’s what we suggest:
Classic Sports Day Races
Depending on the age of the children and the available space, you could include:
- Sprint races – a simple dash from point A to point B
- Egg and spoon race – substitute small (not too lightweight) balls in place of the eggs
- Sack race – always goes down well and is guaranteed to produce giggles
- Three-legged race – use scarves or fabric strips to join two children together above the ankles
- Beanbag race – children must balance a beanbag on their head while walking/running between start and finish lines
- Relay race – the perfect team game
- Obstacle course – a small, blanket-covered table makes a perfect crawl zone; have adults hold a rope for jumping over; a low wooden plank supported on wooden boxes creates a balancing challenge; a laundry basket and beanbags or soft balls act as a target practice area.
Other useful items for games could include kids’ traffic cones, a soft football, hula hoops and skittles. Pillowcases make good sacks for younger children, or make your own sacks using old curtains, sheets, etc.
Silly Games
Great for laughs and definitely more about having fun than winning. Here’s our selection of silly suggestions:
- Backwards race
- Teddy bear relay race – use your party invitations to remind guests to bring a teddy
- Move like an animal race
- Fancy dress race – position items of clothing at intervals along the track, children must stop and put the item on before running to the next item etc. The first child to reach the finish line wearing all the items provided is the winner. Items such as oversized shirts, wellies or fluffy adult slippers, hats, big sunglasses and feather boas make for hilarious photos at the finish line.
Top Tip: Don’t try to fit too many games into the party. A handful of well-planned activities, interspersed with breaks, drinks and cheering, is much better than rushing through a long list. Your aim should be to have fun – not to recreate the Olympics!
Food and Drink
All that running around is bound to make your mini athletes hungry and thirsty! We suggest sticking to a simple, easy-to-eat menu; picnic-style food such as sandwiches, fruit, small cakes and crisps are ideal for a sports day party. Make sure you have plenty of water or diluted fruit squash available throughout the party too – racing is thirsty work!
If you’re hosting outside, you’ll need large cool boxes and ice packs for any perishable foodstuffs. It’s also a good idea to have a shaded area where children can have a break, cool down and enjoy the party food.
Assuming you’re having a birthday cake, it’s good practice, given the current drought conditions, not to light candles in outside spaces.
Want to concentrate on organising the games? Why not hire a professional caterer to sort out the food? Many caterers offer individually boxed picnics for kids, which are perfect for refuelling between races and need minimal clearing up afterwards.
Certificates and Prizes
Finally, we come to the all-important awards ceremony. We think every child deserves a little recognition just for taking part, so why not finish the day by presenting everyone with a certificate? It could be for taking part, teamwork, or simply being a brilliant sports day competitor.
If you have access to a printer, you can easily create your own personalised certificates in the free version of Canva. Prefer ready-made certificates? Amazon sell generic certificates for around £5 for a pack of 30, while Etsy offer digital downloads that you can print yourself for even less.
Alternatively, why not skip the paper certificates and award medals instead? Most major supermarkets have a party-bag range that includes multipacks of ‘gold’ medals on striped ribbons. These are incredibly budget-friendly and far less stressful than printing certificates.
The beauty of a sports day party is that it doesn’t have to be perfect to be memorable. There’ll be plenty of laughter, a little friendly competition and probably a few unexpected moments along the way, and those are the things everyone remembers! So, gather your mini sports stars and get ready to cheer them on as you enjoy a day of fun, friendship and sporting spirit.
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