Field Day Activities | 5 Last-Minute Musts to Make Yours a Success!
It's almost May, and at most schools, the count down to Field Day has begun! Last month we shared several of our BEST ideas for fresh and traditional Field Day Games. Here are some last- minute tips to ensure a fun day for students and organizers alike.
1. Sun Savvy
Plan water-breaks throughout Field Day and have several stations for kids to grab a drink and get out of the sun. Offering watermelon, frozen fruit and popsicles are also fun ways to keep kids hydrated.
Prevent sunburn by having extra bottles of sunscreen handy for touch-ups and to spray on kids who forgot to apply. If your field day lasts longer than 90 minutes per class, consider offering healthy snacks so little bodies can refuel.
2. Chill Stations
This goes hand in hand with #1 above. Since kids will be running around outside all day, plan some fun, individual activities that require less physically exertion and interaction than others. Fun options include a bubbles station, hula hoops, cup stacking, or chalk painting. Schedule these calmer activities in-between more physically demanding ones to keep the kids from getting tired out too fast. Adding fun music and shade makes the Chill Stations a welcome destination.
3. Everyone's a Winner!
Field day should be a fun day for everyone, where outside play is encouraged, skills are discovered, and teamwork is rewarded. Get creative so every class is a winner! E.g.:
Prizes can be anything - from small ribbons and painted rocks, to t-shirts, bracelets, fun sunglasses, water bottles, or even a snazzy Field Day participation certificate.
- Loudest
- Best Teamwork
- Best Costume
- Fastest
- Wettest
- Most School Spirit
- Strongest
- Best Cheer
4. Bring Extras
If it could go flat, get lost or otherwise not perform its function correctly - bring extras! This goes for bubbles, balls, frisbees, whistles, stop watches, pencils, etc. If your Field Day has several water activities (which all kids know are the funnest!), plan on an extra stack of beach towels to dry off kids who forgot a change of clothes.
5. Recruit LOTS of HELP!
There are no spectators on Field Day! Teachers, parents and even high school students and staff get involved in running games, shepherding classes to their activities, and running water and Chill stations.
Online sign up sheets make it easy for volunteers choose when and how they can help. Here's an example of a Field Day Sign Up Sheet on VolunteerSpot:
What are your school's fab Field Day traditions? Let us know by clicking comments below, or hop on over to the VolunteerSpot Facebook page to share.
And don't miss this FREE Field Day event cards download from Cap'n Pete's PE! Covering large group game ideas with step-by-step instructions, these free cards help field day volunteers, teachers, leaders and students easily understand the Field Day events. Download now
Also see:
Field Day Essentials Checklist
