With the excitement of the Olympics just around the corner, why not bring that competitive spirit to your own school?

Hosting an Olympathon is a fantastic way to get your students energized, engaged, and having fun.

This event can be tailored to suit all age groups, from K-2 to Years 3-6, and can become a memorable highlight of the school year.

Here's a comprehensive guide to organizing an Olympathon that will leave your students inspired and eager for more.

Logistics

1. Plan Your Activities

Start by selecting around fifteen activities for your students to participate in. Here are some tried-and-true activities that you can include:

• Sprint: Competitors sprint between two points and then back again, passing a baton to the next runner. Equipment needed: batons, 4 witches' hats.

• Discus Throw: Students throw a bean bag or Frisbee from within a large hoop towards target hoops of varying sizes. Equipment needed: 4 hoops, bean bags, Frisbees.

• Hurdles: A straight running course with 5 boxes used as hurdles. Participants can jump over or onto each hurdle. Equipment needed: 4 boxes, 4 witches' hats.

• Shot Putt: Students throw a bean bag or similar object in shot put style, aiming to land in a hoop. Equipment needed: bean bags, boules, 2 hoops.

• Lawn Bowls: Competitors roll simulated bowling balls into a target area. Equipment needed: boules, large hoop, 2 witches' hats.

• Basketball: Dribble around a zig-zag course and shoot at a goal (basketball hoop for older kids, barrel for younger). Equipment needed: basketballs, 8 witches' hats, barrel/goal.

• Obstacle Track: Complete a circuit with various activities at each station. Equipment needed: 4 witches' hats, 2 hoops, 3 boxes, tunnel, basketball, bean bags.

• T-Ball Hit: Hit a soft ball off a tee at a target and retrieve it after each hit. Equipment needed: t-ball bat, t-ball tee, soft ball, target.

• Bin Chuck: Toss small objects into bins placed at various distances. Equipment needed: milk crates, 2 witches hats, bean bags.

• Over And Under: Children form a straight line and pass a basket ball over the head of the first child then under the legs of the next child and so on down the line. Last child runs with the ball to the front of the line to start again. Equipment needed: 4 witches hats, basket ball.

• Soccer: Kick a soccer ball successfully into goals. Kickers must retrieve their own balls. Equipment needed: Soccer balls, 2 witches hats, portable soccer goals.

• Sack Jump: Competitors get in sack and jump until marker is reached and then returns. Equipment needed: sacks, 4 witches hats.

• Badminton: Competitors must hit a shuttle cock into the hoop using a paddle bat. Equipment needed: large hoop, 2 witches hats, shuttle cocks, paddle bats.

• Balance Beam Walk: Students must walk the length of a balance bean one at a time with a bean bag on their head. Equipment needed: 4 witches hats, bean bags, 1 balance beam.

• Parachute: Students must try to shake various objects off the parachute. Equipment needed: parachute, 3 tennis balls, bean bags and pimple balls.

Feel free to adapt these activities or add new ones to suit your students' interests and age groups.

2. Team Setup

Assign each team a country to represent and divide your students accordingly. Depending on the number of participants, you might need to set up duplicate stations to accommodate everyone.

3. Time Management

Consider your time frame for the Olympathon. If it’s a one-hour event, plan to rotate your groups every three minutes to ensure everyone gets a turn. For a two-hour event, you can allow more time at each activity, making for a more relaxed experience.

4. Staffing and Equipment

Assign a teacher to each activity and provide them with a booklet outlining their specific role and the rules for their activity. Decide how you will signal transitions between activities—options include an air horn, a whistle, or music over the speakers.

5. On the Day

Have your teams lined up and ready to go. Send them off with a teacher to their first activity. If you’re scoring the event, ensure each teacher has a score sheet and clear instructions on how to award points.

If you’re looking for more sporting fun, check out my Events For Hosting Your Own School Mini Olympics post.

Will your school be hosting an Olympathon or sports day this year? Share your plans and join the conversation in the comments below. Let’s make this an unforgettable event and time in the lives of our students!