There’s nothing quite like field day games to bring people together in a celebration of sunshine, laughter, and friendly competition.
When I think back to my days in elementary school and some fun family reunions, the days with field day games were some of my favorites. Seeing people hobble across the field in a sack race or toss balloons back and forth, it brings back so many great memories.
Field day games are a great way to enjoy time outdoors and make memories that will last a lifetime. All they require is a little bit of planning and organization and you will have all the components of a wonderful field day right at your finger tips!
Whether you’re planning the last day of school blowout, a church picnic, a co-op party, or even a family reunion, these fun field day games are a great way to promote teamwork, movement, and class pride for students of all ages—and even adults!
You don’t have to wait for the end of the school year to break out the relay races, hula hoops, or tug of war ropes. There are plenty of ways to use these games at birthday parties, summer camps, church events, neighborhood block parties, or even in physical education classes.
Let this list of 105+ field day activities be your starting point for planning an awesome field day full of laughter, inclusion, and fun!
Table of Contents
Why Field Day Games Are a Great Way To Build Community
From young students to high school students, field day events encourage people to work toward a common goal, laugh at themselves, and cheer on their team members. These games create shared memories, foster connection, and remind everyone that success doesn’t always look like crossing the finish line first. Sometimes, it looks like the first person to pick up the egg toss after it cracks and keeps going anyway!
When everyone contributes—whether by running, organizing concession stands, or cheering—field day becomes more than an activity station; it becomes a joyful expression of teamwork and community.
How To Make Your Field Day That Includes Everyone
Whether you have some shy kids in the group or kids with some physical challenges, there are ways to modify the games to make sure everyone can participate. I remember being that kid that felt left out. In my case, what I needed was someone to slowly and sequentially explain the rules of the game…maybe more than once. Other kids might benefit from some modifications.
Want to make sure everyone has a great time?
Here are a few tips:
- Offer rest areas with shade and water for hot days.
- Create activity stations that require different skills (not just speed or agility).
- Adapt games for accessibility (like swapping out the spoon race for one with foam balls and plastic cups).
- Use different color team bandanas or shirts to help younger students stay with their groups.
- Keep empty pizza boxes or a set of clothes on hand for backup plan games like dress-up relays.
- Include games like sidewalk chalk art or balance beams for kids who prefer quieter play.
The best field day games are ones where kids of all ages, older students, and even adults can jump in and feel like they’re part of the winning team—no matter who crosses the finish line first.
105+ Fun Field Day Games
One of the best ways to make games fun is to divide them up into groups by ages so the competition is a little more fair and the games to be scaled to the abilities of the kids in that group. Of course you always have the option to create teams as well which can be a good way to mix a variety of ages together!
Field Day Games for Preschool (Ages 3–5)
- Bean Bag Toss
- Duck, Duck, Goose
- Parachute Play
- Bubble Chase
- Ring Toss
- Hula Hoop Jump
- Obstacle Crawl
- Animal Walk Race
- Balloon Pop Stomp
- Color Scavenger Hunt
- Spoon and Cotton Ball Race
- Water Relay with Cups
- Freeze Dance
- Tunnel Crawl
- Paper Plate Ring Toss
- Sidewalk Chalk Maze
- Cone Weave
- Bubble Blowing Contest
- Jumping Contest (on shapes/colors)
- Ball Rolling Race
- Sensory Bin Dig
- Balance Beam Walk (low and safe)
- Stuffed Animal Rescue
- Teddy Bear Picnic Relay
- Musical Squares (like chairs but floor spots)
Field Day Games for Elementary School (Grades K–5)
- Sack Race
- Three-Legged Race
- Water Balloon Toss
- Egg-and-Spoon Race
- Tug of War
- Kickball
- Obstacle Course
- Hula Hoop Contest
- Sponge Water Relay
- Wheelbarrow Race
- Jump Rope Challenge
- Simon Says Sprint
- Frisbee Toss
- Cup Stack Relay
- Dizzy Bat Race
- Soccer Dribble Relay
- Bean Bag Balance Walk
- Balloon Between Knees Race
- Paper Airplane Contest
- Over-Under Ball Pass
- Capture the Flag (simplified)
- Human Ring Toss (using hula hoops)
- Limbo
- Dress-Up Relay
- Bucket Brigade (fill container with water using cups)
Field Day Games for Middle and High School (Grades 6–12)
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Human Knot
- Tug of War Tournament
- Capture the Flag
- Relay Races (creative formats)
- Dizzy Bat Spin & Run
- Obstacle Course (with time trial)
- Water Balloon Dodgeball
- Kickball Tournament
- Sponge Tag
- Minute-to-Win-It Challenges
- Giant Jenga Competition
- Rubber Chicken Toss
- Group Jump Rope (multiple jumpers)
- Potato Sack Obstacle Relay
- Strategy Puzzle Relay
- Tug-a-Loop (teams in connected loops)
- Water Cup Stack Relay
- Hula Hoop Pass Chain
- Partner Back-to-Back Race
- Volleyball with Beach Ball
- Lawn Twister
- Capture-the-Sponge
- Balloon Tower Building
- Blindfold Obstacle Navigation
Field Day Games for Adults
- Office Chair Races
- Water Balloon Dodgeball
- Grown-Up Sack Race
- Tug of War Showdown
- Flip Cup Relay (non-alcoholic or themed)
- Giant Slip & Slide
- Kickball with a Twist
- Blindfold Water Balloon Toss
- Obstacle Course (timed challenge)
- Trivia & Physical Task Race
- Balloon Pop Trivia
- Lawn Game Olympics (cornhole, ladder toss, etc.)
- Dizzy Relay
- Sponge Soak & Squeeze Relay
- Team Pyramid Build
- Synchronized Hula Hooping
- 4-Legged Race (2 pairs tied together)
- Costume Relay Race
- Giant Inflatable Course
- Egg Catch (distance-based)
- Team Charades Run
- Pass the Orange (no hands)
- Rubber Chicken Shot Put
- Water Bucket Overhead Relay
- Human Hungry Hungry Hippos
- Tug-of-Wits (Trivia + Tug of War)
- Foot-Paint Race (paint feet & run a banner)
- Paper Plate Shuffleboard
- Nerf Target Shooting
- Reverse Relay (start from finish and go backward)
Planning Tips for the Next Field Day
- Always mark a clear starting line and boundary line.
- Designate who is the first student, first player, or first team to begin each event.
- Call out when it’s the next person or next player’s turn in a relay.
- Prepare a backup plan in case of rain (some fun activities can move indoors!).
- Use easy props like pool noodles, soft balls, jump ropes, and foam balls.
- Allow for physical activity as well as mental challenges for variety.
- Organize large groups by grade, team color, or random assignment.
From the traditional relay race to the egg race, classic games like the 3-legged race, or even just drawing science roles with Sesame Street characters and acting like a maritime archaeologist or human services worker—it’s all about bringing joy and connection to your fun day.
So grab your team bucket, rally your students, and pick your starting point—it’s time to plan your next field day and make it the best one yet.
Sarah McCubbin and her husband and 9 kids live in Ohio. She loves talking about all kinds of education topics and is passionate about helping families find the best education options in each season! After being very socially awkward growing up, she now loves to help families teach life skills, social skills and leadership to their kids!
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