Planning a Field Day to Remember

• Field Day is often planned for the end of the school year, or just before your school’s spring break. Some schools opt to have this active celebration BEFORE end-of-year tests. Planning the specific date depends on your school’s calendar and venue availability; and you’ll also want to keep your locality’s weather patterns in mind when planning—running the 100 yard dash in 100+ temperatures might not be the best option.

• Where should you hold your Field Day? If your school is hosting this event, the athletic fields are the perfect place to spread out and play. Rainy day? Keep it indoors in the school gym. Homeschoolers—check your community park for open playing fields. You can even scale down your events to a backyard if you’re hosting a family or neighborhood Field Day. The key is—just make sure there’s plenty of open space for kiddos to run and play safely, and ensure the area is clearly marked off for play.

To host a successful field day, you’ll need an army of volunteers...the more, the merrier! Be sure to clearly assign and explain each volunteer’s roles and responsibilities to keep everything running smoothly:

• Teachers and/or parents should typically be in charge of supervising activities, guiding students from one activity to the next, and ensuring safety throughout the day. It’s also important to monitor children for signs of dehydration, sunburn, or exhaustion, and have first-aid kits and sunscreen on-hand at all times. Teachers should also ensure that all students understand the rules before play.
• High school students and community leaders are great resources for additional volunteers! (It’s a great way to allow older kids to mentor their younger counterparts). These volunteers can help run stations, make sure the rules are followed, hand out water, or just encourage the students to DO THEIR BEST with a great attitude. Ask your high school’s guidance counselor to provide you with a list of responsible helpers.
• Students have a responsibility as well—they need to be mindful of the rules and exhibit good sportsmanship. All children should learn early on that winning and losing is a natural part of life: good sportsmanship is simply learning to be a humble winner and a gracious loser. Teach them to always do their best without whining and complaining—life lessons!

Do you want competitive games where teachers are tracking and adding up points for a prize—student vs. student or 5th grade vs 4th grade? Or will you opt for a more collaborative style with all classes working together towards an end goal? Both options add value to kids' play: reinforcing teamwork and sportsmanship, encouraging kids to do their best at every task they undertake, and cheering on their team-mates. Here’s a few helpful ideas for affordable prizes and trinkets to offer your "winners": 

• Ribbons
• Certificates
• Stickers
• Sunglasses
• Rubber bracelets
• Pizza or ice cream parties
• Check out HearthSong’s Fun Gifts Under $30 for small, affordable gifts suitable for homeschool or backyard Field Days

No matter how you decide to play the day away, your activities need to have structure—and there are several ways you can organize this time. Use a timed schedule and Station Activities where kids or classes rotate through stations; opt for a Festival-Themed play day reminiscent of a carnival (go big with extras like dunk tanks, concession stands, and Giant 7-Foot Inflatable Bounce House and Climbing Cube if your budget and space allows); if you have access to a track, use the track and infield for Track & Field Style races, relays, and field events. Helpful hint: no matter how you style your Field Day, be sure to plan lots and lots of water, snack, and rest breaks—both for students AND volunteers.

In the remaining days before the big event, make sure everyone involved has their game face on, and is ready for a full day of fun:

• Teachers, parents, and volunteers should be familiar with the games, the rotation and schedule, and location of time-out or cool-off spots.
• Students should know what’s expected of them—play hard, have fun, encourage your friends and classmates, and be a GREAT sport!

Sprints & Relay Races: With just a few extra supplies (balloons, batons, eggs & spoons), set up a series of sprints and relay races that encourage teamwork (and quick footwork):

• 100-yard dash
• Egg and spoon relay race
• Baton relay race
• Balloon pop relay race
• Spin the bat
• Light-Up Air Hover Soccer Disc relay race

Water Games: Everyone looks forward to cooling off with a little water play on Field Day!

• Water balloon volley
• Sponge tag
• Sponge and bucket relay
• Water balloon throw
• Water slides
• Sprinklers

Collaborative Games: Work together as a team, and win BIG!

• Keep It Up
• Mine Field
• Capture the Flag
• Beach Ball Race
• Axe-Throwing (child-friendly versions)
• Hop n' Gos
• Land Wheel

One-on-One Challenges: Grab an opponent: the challenge is on!

• Horseshoes Game Set
• Bean Bag Games
• Dart-Throwing
• Ring Toss

Backyard Games: Have a few games and activities set out for siblings, parents, or kids who need a little “time away” from the competition:

• Inflatable Bowling
• Disc Golf Game Set
• Bocce Ball
• Cornhole

Tiny Tots: Be sure to have games and activities on hand for the littlest gamers and players:

• Bubble Station: Fill a kiddie pool with bubble solution (6 cups water, 1 cup dish soap, and ½ cup light corn syrup). Make your own wands with hula hoops, wire hangers, or pipe cleaners.
• Memory Games
• Jump-Alongs
• Pirate's Treasure: Bury small gifts or trinkets in a sandbox or kiddie pool filled with sand.

Share your fantastic field day fun with the HearthSong family @hearthsong!