Search form

Field Day Games | Lesson Plan Ideas

As the weather gets warmer, many schools hold their annual Field Day. Education World wants you to have the best Field Day ever. Here are dozens of great activities to get you started.

teacher outside with students

Are you tired of having the same old activities at your school's end-of-the-year field day? Are you eager to hold a very special field day event this year? These lessons provide more ideas than you can possibly use -- and links to many more. You will find

  • field day activities that individual students can excel and have fun with;
  • great relays for small teams of students that teach sportsmanship;
  • activities that involve the whole class;
  • more than a dozen themed field day ideas (if themes are your preference); and
  • a bubbly way to cap off the day!

We have provided all the ideas, all you need to do now is the preparation. Field day success is guaranteed if you prepare and plan well.

Field Day Resources and Giveaways

To help you get off on the right foot, we've put together some field day preparation tips.  Also, be sure to visit the S&S Worldwide Field Day Headquarters to help you plan a successful event and you can download PE Central's exclusive ebook, Top 10 Field Day Activities.

Four Lessons For A Fantastic Field Day

Below are four lessons that provide all the ingredients for a fantastic field day. Click each lesson headlines for a complete teaching resource. (Appropriate grade levels for each lesson appear in parentheses.)

Twenty Field Day Activities Any Kid Can Do (And Do Well!)
Twenty great field day activities that emphasize fun over skill. (Grades Pre K-8)

Fifteen Field Day Relays
Relay races can be a fun part of any field day. Included: 15 great relay ideas! (Grade K-12)

Field Day Games for Whole-Class Fun
Field day games including a Teacher Sled Race, Water Balloon Volleyball, more! (Grades K-12)

Bubble Blast
Bubbles inspire learning and fun -- and clean desks too. A nice field day addition! (Grades PreK-8)

Preparation and Planning Ensure Field Day Success

With a little advance planning, field day can be as special and as much fun as you choose to make it. Following are some decisions you'll want to make before the actual field day arrives

• How many field day activities will you set up?

• How will the  field day events be organized? Will students move from activity to activity with their classmates (which will enable the inclusion of relay activities), or will you set up 20 different activities and let students select the ones they most want to participate in?

• Will students receive field day awards as they complete an activity?
You might provide a different colored ribbon or a different colored jellybean for each completed activity.
Each student might wear a card listing all the possible activities; a star is placed on the card as each activity is completed.
Each student might earn a different colored link on a paper chain for each completed activity.
• Will you hold a field day awards ceremony?
Awards might recognize the best "scores" for each activity by grade level or class.
Special awards might be given to students who complete the most activities, providing an incentive for students to do as many activities as possible during the field day. That keeps students moving and encourages them to participate in activities with have shorter lines.
• Will teachers supervise the different field day activities? Or will parents be involved so teachers can stay with their own classes or serve as general assistants? (The more parents the better!)

• What other special activities will coincide with field day?
Might you plan a family cookout? Will the local radio station be invited to broadcast live from and provide music for Field Day festivities? Will older students dress in costumes and provide a cheering section for younger students? Will each class create a banner? Will a prize be awarded for the best banner?
• Be sure to have a nurse available.

Article by Gary Hopkins
Education World®
Copyright © 2007, 2017 Education World