5 Smart (and Eco-Friendly) Tips for Your Next School Sports Day 

*Collaborative Post

There’s something so fun and heartwarming about a school sports day. The kids’ excitement, the team spirit, the slightly chaotic three-legged races, and parents making fools of themselves in egg and spoon races. While it’s all fun and games on the day, behind the scenes, it can take some serious planning. 

Whether you’re a parent lending a hand or a teacher that’s been put in charge of the main events, here are five top tips to help you organise a sports day that’s fun, inclusive, and one the kids will love.

1. Plan for All Abilities and Ages

The best sports days are the ones where everyone feels included, whether they’re lightning fast, more into teamwork, or just there to cheer on their friends. Mix up your events with a variety of activities that cater to different abilities. Think bean bag tosses, hula hoop relays, balance challenges, and group games where collaboration counts more than speed.

If you weren’t sporty in school, you might have hated sports day. And that’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid. We want everyone to have fun and feel good, not just the most athletic kids. Try to include options that remove the pressure to “win,” especially for younger kids or those who feel less confident in more physical activities. Team-based challenges or silly novelty races (like dressing up in oversized clothes and running to the finish line!) keep the atmosphere fun and inclusive.

2. Keep It Eco-Friendly

A school sports day doesn’t have to come with a trail of plastic bottles and leftover rubbish. With a few thoughtful swaps, you can keep the fun high and the waste low. Start with the basics like encouraging kids to bring reusable water bottles (clearly labelled with their names) and set up refill stations instead of crates of single-use bottles.

Get creative with equipment, too. Old pillowcases make perfect sacks for races, wooden spoons and potatoes are a classic combo, and cardboard boxes can become all sorts of fun props. Avoid balloons and plastic decorations; instead, go for colourful fabric bunting or chalk-drawn signs.

3. Celebrate Participation, Not Just Winners

Winning is great, but sports day should be about more than just finishing first. Celebrating effort, enthusiasm, and team spirit helps every child feel proud, no matter their speed or skill. You can mix traditional races with awards like “Best Cheer Squad,” “Kindest Teammate,” or “Most Creative Run.”

A brilliant way to make every child feel recognised? Custom medals.

MedalStudio creates beautifully made, fully customisable medals that let you tailor awards to your event, whether it’s sporty, silly, or sustainability-themed. They’re ethically produced, high-quality keepsakes that kids (and parents) will treasure long after the races are over.

It’s a simple touch that makes a huge difference, because every child deserves to go home feeling like a champion.

4. Have a Clear Schedule and Communication Plan

If there’s one thing that keeps a sports day running smoothly, it’s a solid plan. Create a simple schedule that lays out the order of events, locations, timings, and any extra details such as what kids need to bring, or reminders about sunscreen and hats.

You can go paperless by emailing the plan or sharing it on the school’s digital platform, or if you’re printing, use recycled paper and keep it short and sweet. On the day, have visible signs at different stations and a central noticeboard for any last-minute updates.

5. Get Parents and Teachers Involved

Want to take the pressure off and make it more fun? Get the grown-ups involved. Inviting parents and teachers to join in, whether it’s as referees, managing water stands, or participants in a goofy adults-only relay, can keep the fun alive in a sports day and make it a little less serious.

It builds a sense of community, gives kids a laugh to see their teachers in a sack race, and helps everything run more smoothly with extra hands on deck. Just make sure to brief volunteers ahead of time so they know where to be and what to expect.

Conclusion

A successful school sports day doesn’t need to be big or flashy, it just needs a bit of heart, a splash of creativity, and thoughtful touches that make everyone feel included. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to organising an event that kids will remember for all the right reasons.

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.