105 Awesome Field Day Ideas (Games, Activities, Stations)
Get ready to make your next school event unforgettable with 105 Awesome Field Day Ideas packed full of fun games, activities, and station ideas that get kids moving, laughing, splashing and having a TOTAL BLAST!
105 Awesome Field Day Ideas
Whether you’re planning classic relay races, silly obstacle courses, or exciting team physical activity challenges, these outdoor field day activities are perfect for all ages and skill levels.
Hi there, it’s so great to meet you! I’m Mrs. T. or you can call me Jen – a Michigan mom, wife, new grandma (aka “Jemma”) and K-12 PE teacher who is on a mission to MAKE SCHOOL FUN AGAIN!
Field day is one of the absolute best days of the school year. It’s an end of the school year celebration where students and teachers can relax, laugh, and make lasting memories together.
I’ve planned many elementary field day events that I am quite proud of, which is why I am so excited to share my very favorite fun field day games and ideas with all of you today.
105 Field Day Ideas
Designed to boost teamwork, sportsmanship, and physical fitness, this ultimate list of field day ideas will help you to easily create a day full of smiles and splashes.
ON YOUR MARK! GET SET! LET’S GO!
Relay Race Ideas
Relay races are a great way to get everyone moving fast and cheering for their team members! These exciting races help kids practice teamwork, speed, and coordination while having a blast in the fresh air.
Classic Relay races are the perfect way to bring friends together and make lasting memories! Here are some super fun relay ideas for you.
My personal favorite RELAY RACE Field Day Ideas are STARRED.
- *THREE-LEGGED RACE* – two kids stand side by side, have their inside legs tied together, and then work as a team to walk or run to the finish line without falling.
- *POOL NOODLE RELAY* – using only their feet, students work together with their teams to successfully pass the pool noodles, advancing down the field or gym floor (if indoors), without dropping it. You can watch how to do the Pool Noodle Relay RIGHT HERE!
POOL NOODLE PASS
- OBSTACLE COURSE RELAY – Using whatever PE equipment you have available (hula hoops, hurdles, balance beams) set up an obstacle course for the kids to navigate through.
- WHEELBARROW RACE – In the wheelbarrow race, one child walks on their hands while their partner holds their legs, and together they race to the finish line.
- *GIANT BEACH BALL RELAY* – In the giant beach ball relay, the first person in line rolls a giant beach ball or exercise ball from the start to the finish line without letting it get away. Then they pass it to the next person in line.
- POTATO SACK RELAY – The sack race is a classic game that is always so much fun. In the sack relay, kids hop inside a long sack from the starting point to the finish line and then pass the sack to the next teammate.
- BALLOON WADDLE RELAY – Race with a balloon between your knees to an end point and back again.
- T-SHIRT RELAY – Two kids stand side by side, both wearing one giant-sized shirt, and then work as a team to walk or run to the end line and back as quickly as possible.
- SPOON RACE RELAY – Kids balance a small object like an egg or a ball on a spoon and race to the finish line without dropping it.
- BEAN BAG HOP RELAY – Students balance a bean bag on their head while hopping to the end line and back, passing the bean bag to the next teammate.
- *PIZZA BOX RELAY* – In the pizza box relay, kids carry an empty pizza box, balancing it carefully on one hand while racing to the finish line without dropping their “pizza.” The challenging twist to this relay is that a new pizza box is added to the “pizza box tower” that the kids must carry with each new trip. Ask your local pizza place to donate the boxes.
- *TIC-TAC-THROW RELAY* – Students practice underhand throwing and catching bean bags with their teams. Using hula hoops as a tic-tac-toe grid, students add their team’s colored bean bag to the grid after each successful catch. The team that gets 3 bean bags in a row, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, wins the relay. You can watch exactly how to play the TIC-TAC-THROW relay game RIGHT HERE.
TIC-TAC-THROW RELAY
- OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY – This relay uses a toilet plunger to resemble an Olympic torch. Each child balances a tennis ball on the inside bowl of a plunger, and grasping the handle, races to a designated point before passing the plunger to the next teammate, combining teamwork with hand-eye coordination and lots of laughs.
- RUNNING RELAY – Keep it simple and have students run as fast as they can to a designated point, then run back and high five the next teammate in line.
- CRAB WALK RELAY – Students do the crab walk to a designated end line and back, giving a high five to the next person in line on their team.
- SOCCER DRIBBLE RELAY – Dribble a soccer ball through cones to a designated end line and back.
Water Activities and Game Ideas
Water games are a great idea, especially on extra hot days, because they offer a refreshing way to cool off while running, splashing, and laughing with friends.
My personal favorite Water-Themed Field Day Ideas are STARRED.
- *INFLATABLE WATER SLIDE* – There is seriously nothing more fun than slipping and sliding down an inflatable waterslide with your classmates, teachers, and friends. Many local inflatable rental companies will give you a discount if you let them know it is for field day at school.
- *WATER BALLOON TOSS* – In partner groups, kids stand facing each other a short distance apart, gently tossing the water balloon back and forth to each other, taking one step back after each successful catch. If the balloon breaks, the team is eliminated. The partner group that lasts the longest, WINS!
- SPONGE RACE – Run with a wet sponge, squeeze water into an empty bucket, and tag the next teammate in line. The team that collects the most water in their bucket WINS! You can also pass soaked sponges overhead and under legs to fill a bucket.
- *DUCK, DUCK, SPLASH* – I love this one, and so do the kids – it’s always a FAN-FAVORITE. Have kids sit in a circle in the grass, choose one student to be “IT.” They then fill a cup with cold water, tap kids gently on the head saying duck. Finally, choose one student and dump the cup of water over their head as they say “SPLASH”. They get up and chase the “splasher” around the circle trying to catch them, like in Duck, Duck, Goose!
- LEAKY CUP RACE – Carry water in a cup with holes to fill another bucket.
- SQUIRT GUN FIGHT – Grab some Super Soakers and let the kids have an absolute blast!
- *WATER BALLOON HOT POTATO* – Pass a water balloon around until the music stops, then whoever is holding it when the music stops gets to pop it on whoever they want!
- SPRINKLER – Set up a giant sprinkler and let the kids have fun running and jumping through it.
- WATER BUCKET BRIGADE – Pour water in a cup backward over your head into the next person’s cup to fill a bucket that awaits at the end of the line.
- *DUNK TANK* – Rent a Dunk Tank and take turns dunking your favorite (or least favorite) teacher. There are so many fun ways you can incorporate this field day activity into your event. Just have fun with it.
- PENNY PINCHING – Use toes to pick up pennies or other small objects from a kiddie pool filled with water.
- *SLIP ‘N SLIDE* – Spread out a long piece of heavy-duty, waterproof plastic sheeting and make a homemade slippery slide. Hand a parent volunteer or teacher a hose, add in some hypoallergenic baby soap to make the slide super slippery and watch the fun ramp up instantly.
Outdoor Yard & Field Games
Outdoor field games are a blast because they get kids moving, laughing, and making awesome memories with their friends. Plus, teachers get to join in on the fun and show off their playful side too!
Just find a big open space and get to it.
My personal favorite OUTDOOR YARD and FIELD Day Ideas are STARRED.
- *KICKBALL* or BAS”KICK”BALL if you are indoors
- SOCCER or *CRAZY BALL SOCCER*
- FOUR SQUARE – Learn How to Play Here
- GAGA BALL– Learn How to Play HERE
- BASKETBALL GAME or a BASKETBALL SHOOTOUT
- DODGEBALL (with soft balls or water balloons)
- VOLLEYBALL (older students) or BEACH BALL VOLLEYBALL (perfect for younger kids)
- BADMINTON
- *TUG-OF-WAR* – Field day would not be complete without a friendly competition game of Tug of War. This classic game gets everybody involved and having fun – students, teachers and even parents can join in.
- BEAN BAG TOSS (CORNHOLE) or *BULLSEYE BAGS*
- LADDER BALL – Learn how to play HERE
- FRISBEE GOLF or DISC GOLF
- *MINI GOLF* (build your own putt-putt holes) – raid the nearest kindergarten classroom and gather up some blocks, small toys and other fun obstacles that will help the kids build their own golf holes. Get my Full Build Your Own Mini Golf Course 4 Step Tutorial Here.
- CAPTURE THE FLAG – two teams each have a flag placed in their territory. The goal is to sneak into the opposing team’s area, grab their flag, and and be the first team to bring it back to your own side without being tagged.
- *HOMERUN DERBY* – Set up a large cone with a wiffle ball on the top of the cone. Then mark areas in the field with point values (the further away, the more points). Have kids use a bat to hit the ball off of the cone/tee and see how far they can hit it.
- LIMBO – Kids take turns leaning backward and shimmying under a horizontal bar without touching it or falling, while the bar is lowered a little after each round.
Parachute Game Ideas
Parachute games are seriously THE BEST! These games never get old and they really are loved by kids of ALL AGES grades K-12.
My personal favorite PARACHUTE FIELD Day Ideas are STARRED.
- *SHARKS and LIFEGUARDS* – Kids sit in a circle holding the parachute with their legs stretched out underneath as “swimmers,” while one or more “sharks” crawl under the parachute trying to pull swimmers’ legs to drag them under. When a swimmer feels themselves being pulled, they call for a “lifeguard,” who runs around the outside to rescue them by grabbing their arm before the shark pulls them under.
- POPCORN – Put small balls on top of the parachute and wave it so that it looks like popcorn popping.
- THE MUSHROOM or UMBRELLA – Holding the parachute edges low, on the count of 3, kids stand and lift the parachute overhead so it fills with air and rises like a giant mushroom or umbrella. Players can take a step or two toward the center while holding the parachute to help it puff up fully, creating a fun, colorful dome shape above them.
- PARACHUTE TAG – Have students lift the parachute high. Then call one student’s name and have them run to the other side before the parachute comes down and tags them.
- *DUCK, DUCK, GOOSE* (Parachute Style) – Students hold on to the parachute and move it while the “goose” student taps on the “duck” students. They have to run all the way around the parachute to sit back down without being tagged.
Outdoor Tag Game Ideas
Tag games with just a few pieces of equipment, like pool noodles for safe tagging, are perfect for an elementary outdoor field day because they keep things simple, active, and super exciting.
These games encourage teamwork, quick thinking, and endless energy, making them a hit for both players and teachers alike!
My personal favorite OUTDOOR TAG GAMES are STARRED.
- *LIGHTNING TAG *- Everyone is “it” and tries to tag everyone else. When a player gets tagged, they sit down and wait for the person who tagged them to get tagged. Once they get tagged and sit down, they can “pop” back up and get back into the game. If two players tag each other at the same time, they can play ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS to determine who stays in the game.
- FREEZE TAG – When tagged, players must freeze in place until another player unfreezes them by giving them a high five.
- SHARKS and MINNOWS – “Sharks” try to tag “minnows” as they run from one side of the field to the other. Tagged minnows become sharks.
- BLOB TAG – When someone is tagged, they join hands with the tagger and become part of the “blob.” The blob grows as more players are tagged.
- STRIKE A POSE TAG – When kids get tagged they must freeze and strike a silly pose. To get back in the game another student must stand across from or next to them and make the same silly pose. Watch how to play HERE.
- TUNNEL TAG – Tagged players stand with their legs apart. They are freed when another player crawls through their legs.
- ICE CREAM TAG – This is a super fun tag game that can be played indoors or outdoors – you just need a few cones and some small balls.
- COLOR TAG – The tagger calls out a color, and the players wearing that color are safe for that round.
- ANIMAL or FARMER TAG – Players move around like farm animals (gallop like horses, waddle like ducks and chickens). Watch how to play Farmer Tag HERE.
- HOSPITAL TAG – When tagged, players hold that body part. Three tags and they’re out and must sit down in the hospital area.
- OCTOPUS TAG – One player is the “octopus” standing in the middle while the others try to run from one side of the play area to the other without being tagged. When tagged, players become “tentacles” and help the octopus tag the remaining runners until only one player is left free and becomes the next octopus.
- BALLOON TAG – Using some string, tie balloons to the shoe laces of the kids. Then let them play tag trying to pop the other balloons of their friends with their feet. You can see what I’m talking about RIGHT HERE.
Track and Field Events
Field day just wouldn’t be the same if you didn’t have a few traditional track and field events thrown into the mix. Here a few field day ideas for you to choose from.
- RUNNING RACES (50 Yard Dash, 100 Yard Dash)
- LONG JUMP (who can jump the furthest?)
- JAVELIN THROW (with pool noodles)
- HURDLES (with cardboard hurdles)
Old School Game Ideas
Why not jump back a few decades and play some classic old school games at your next outdoor field day – these field day ideas are guaranteed to be LOVED BY EVERYONE!
- MOTHER MAY I -here’s how to play this awesome game (just in case it’s been awhile and you forgot, LOL)
- RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT or *ZOO-STOP-GO*
- SIMON SAYS
- HIDE AND SEEK
- MUSICAL CHAIRS (outdoors)
Food Station Field Day Ideas
- JUICY WATERMELON STATION
- ICEE POPS OR FROZEN JUICE POPS
- SNOW CONE STATION
- FRESH FRUIT (Strawberries, Grapes, Apple Slices)
- MAKE YOUR OWN ICE CREAM SUNDAE STATION
- PIZZA STATION
- DECORATE COOKIES OR CUPCAKES
- DONUT ON A STRING – Eat a donut hanging on a string without using hands.
- ROOT BEER FLOAT STATION
- SNACK & PLAY STATION – Let the kids play on the school playground and if you have a pavilion nearby they can snack and play at the same time.
Other Fun Field Day Ideas
Here are a whole bunch of other field day ideas that are always a big hit with the kids.
Again, I have STARRED my favorites.
- *PAVEMENT or SIDEWALK CHALK DRAWING*
- HOPSCOTCH
- FREEZE DANCE or RING AROUND THE DANCER
- *BUBBLES*
- SNOWBALL FIGHT (using fake snowballs that you can get from Amazon)
- OUTDOOR YOGA
- CUP STACKING
- HULA HOOP MARATHON (who can last the longest?)
- JUMP ROPES (why not try some DOUBLE DUTCH)
- *GIANT JENGA*
- FRISBEE TOSS (who can toss the farthest?)
- GIANT CONNECT 4
- OUTDOOR CHECKERS OR CHESS
- OUTDOOR TWISTER
- GIANT TIC-TAC-TOE (with bean bags)
- *ROCK PAINTING STATION*
- *OUTDOOR SCAVENGER HUNT*
- *TIE-DYE STATION*
- FINGER PAINTING
- STORY-TIME ON THE GRASS
- *DIG FOR TREASURE* – Fill a kiddie pool with sand, hide plastic gold coins or wrapped pieces of candy, in the sand and let the kids dig for treasure.
- *MINUTE TO WIN IT CHALLENGES* STATION
- *RENT A BOUNCE HOUSE* (they have Ninja Warrior Course ones that are so cool)
My ALL-TIME FAVORITE – Slime Run
When it comes to field day ideas, I have left my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE activity for last. And that is the…SLIME RUN.
I have done the slime run at every one of my field day events and my students, parents, and teachers ALL ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!
So, what do you say? Are you ready to plan the most epic field day event ever?
Choose your favorite field day ideas from this list of 105, play some “CLEAN” and “UPBEAT” PE music for kids and get ready to have the absolute BEST DAY hanging outside in the sunshine and breathing in the fresh air.
HAPPY FIELD DAY to You!
If you’re looking for more easy, fun, and super unique (not boring) Low or No-Prep physical education games, I’ve got a bunch more for you.
As a matter of fact, I have a GIANT BUNDLE of Elementary Physical Education Games.
You can grab your Physical Education HUGE GROWING BUNDLE Right Here!
Be sure to check out my other unique and fun Teacher Resources (Instant Bulletin Boards, Fun Classroom Decor, Learning and PE Games) in my Love 2 Teach and Learn TPT store RIGHT HERE!
Thanks for stopping by today and reading my 105 field day ideas. I really appreciate it and I hope that you have a TRULY BLESSED And BEAUTIFUL Day spent laughing until your cheeks hurt!
