Is anyone else feeling a bit deflated now that the Olympics have finished? Well don’t panic, at Roarsome Sport I believe that the excitement and spirit of the Olympics can be brought right into your own home. That’s why I’ve put together some fun and engaging ideas to help you create your own mini-Olympics, perfect for children aged 2-7. This is also a great activity to keep everyone occupied over the summer holidays.
Step 1: Preparation – Making Medals, Trophies, and Flags
Medals and Trophies:
- Materials Needed: Tin foil, cardboard, ribbons, paint, and glue.
- Cut out circles from the cardboard to create medal shapes and wrap them in tin foil. Attach a ribbon to each medal for wearing.
- For trophies, use empty jars or paper cups. Decorate them with paint, stickers, or glitter, and attach a cardboard star or ball on top.
Flags:
- Materials Needed: Paper, markers, and sticks (popsicle sticks or skewers).
- Let the kids design and colour their flags using markers. Attach the paper to a stick to create a flagpole.
Step 2: Host Your Mini Olympics
1. Sock Throw
- Setup: Roll up socks to create “balls” and use a laundry basket or bucket as the target.
- How to Play: Children take turns throwing the socks into the target from a designated distance.
- Modifications: Move the target closer or use larger targets for younger children; older children can use smaller targets or move further away.
2. Obstacle Course
- Setup: Use household items like pillows, chairs, and blankets to create an obstacle course.
- How to Play: Kids navigate through the course, crawling under tables, jumping over pillows, and zigzagging through toys.
- Modifications: Simplify the course for younger children; add challenges like balancing or carrying items for older children.
3. Egg and Spoon Race
- Setup: Each child gets a spoon and a hardboiled egg… or not (if you dare!).
- How to Play: Children race to a finish line while balancing the egg on their spoon.
- Modifications: Use deeper spoons for younger kids; older kids can navigate obstacles while balancing the egg, or use small balls and save the eggs for a celebratory cake.
4. Balloon Volleyball
- Setup: Use a balloon and a string or tape to create a “net.”
- How to Play: Teams hit the balloon back and forth over the net, trying to keep it from touching the ground.
- Modifications: Allow catching for younger children; set rules like a limit on hits for older children.
5. DIY Bowling
- Setup: Use empty plastic bottles or cans as pins and a medium-sized ball.
- How to Play: Kids take turns rolling the ball to knock down the pins.
- Modifications: Use fewer pins for younger kids; place pins further apart for older kids.
Hosting a mini Olympics is a fantastic way to encourage physical activity, teamwork, and creativity. Plus, it’s an opportunity for family bonding and making lasting memories.