How to Coordinate Amazing School Sports Day Games

Schoolkids need an opportunity to step out of their routine every once in a while and have some fun. Considering that close to half of the kids in the UK are overweight today, any activity that gives them some exercise is a step in the right direction.

Combine a fun outside-the-routine school event with exercise and what do you get? A sports day. Of course, throwing a great sports day takes proper planning and a coordinated effort. Here are the basic steps you should follow for your sports day games:

Steps for Planning Sports Day Games

Before you get ahead of yourself, your planning process needs to start with a step-by-step plan. Here's how to get started:

1: Secure the Venue

Chances are that your school has an area large enough for the sports day already. Don't assume it's available at your beck and call, though. Find a day when the area is free from other events and reserve it for your sports day.

2: Get a Headcount of Participants

Now that you have a solid date, you need to find out how many participants you'll have. Start publicizing the event throughout the school. After a week or two, have teachers take headcounts of the kids who will participate.

You could run the sports day as a required event for all students as well. This makes the headcount far easier.

3: Make a List of Games

After you know about how many kids will participate, start planning your games. It's good to have some classics but make sure to incorporate some creative new challenges as well.

If you need sorts day game ideas, here are a few to get you started, there are plenty of ideas online. Make sure you have games with a range of activity levels and games in which everyone can participate.

4: Plan a Schedule

When you've decided on the games you'll play, it's time to create a schedule. Consider how long it will take to set up each game and how much space it will require. You could have a game taking place in one half of the area while volunteers set up the next game in the other half.

5: Recruit Volunteers and Gather Materials

Speaking of volunteers, now is the time to find them. With a solid list of games, it's easy to determine how many event volunteers you need as well as what materials you need. Don't forget the materials for the award ceremony when you'll hand out achievement medals or other prizes.

If this is an all-school event, you could require every child's parents to help in some way. They can have a choice of volunteering at the sports day or bringing certain materials you'll need.

6: Figure Out the Prizes

While you're recruiting volunteers and gathering materials, it's important to choose the prizes for the winners. Classic trophy awards are always popular, or you can give away toys. Make sure you know how much of your budget will be available before you decide on prizes.

Setting Up a Great Sports Day

Coordinating a great sports day for your school is a long process, from organizing your volunteers to coming up with sports day games. The steps above can help you make it more manageable and complete everything on time.

If you're in that last step of prize buying, start shopping for school awards online today.