KEY INFORMATION

Recommended age group: 5–18
Time required: varies
Equipment: varies


ACTIVITY IDEA

Celebrate international Olympic Day through its three pillars, and 2022's new pillar, 'together for a better world'. Don't forget to download an Olympic Day certificate for participants!

Move

Get Set to get physical for Olympic Day

  • In class: get started with a stretch and help the children to form the words 'Olympic Day' with their bodies. When the children are warmed up, set them on a treasure hunt around the classroom and school grounds, the answers could all show pictures of Olympic Sports and contain a physical challenge to complete when they find the clues.
  • As a whole school: teams of older children could plan a 'follow my leader' lesson around the playground or field. How many different physical skills can they lead the younger ones to incorporate, e.g. skipping, jogging, running or star jumps? Sticker charts are motivational for young children – how many stickers can they win by successfully completing the different physical skills?
  • At home: can the children get the whole family moving? Choose a weekend and ask the children to get the whole family moving in an activity of their choice – a football game in the park, a jog to the shops, a cycle ride. Get family members to sign an 'I Moved to Celebrate Olympic Day' poster designed by the children and count the signatures in school.
  • In the community: set up a 'Wake and Shake' area somewhere central in your community, like a shopping centre, park or town square. The children could take turns to lead a dance to a favourite song and get people moving on their way to work or shopping. A simpler version would be to get parents/carers to join in as they drop off and pick up children from school. Alternatively, why not set up a community Olympic Day fun run over the weekend, perhaps in support of a local charity.

Learn

Learn about international elements of Olympic Day

  • In class: research and learn about international celebrations. Examples could include celebration dances, songs, the way that cultures decorate themselves, the food and drink that feature in their celebrations and festivals and the way they use symbols such as trees or lights to celebrate.
  • As a whole school: each class could choose a different continent to focus on and share or demonstrate what they have discovered. At least one celebration they demonstrate should include a physical element. This could form part of a special celebration show or series of assemblies.
  • At home: encourage children to talk with their families about which foods they would include on a plate of special celebration foods, or the kind of foods and drinks that would be good to eat after a cycle ride, fun run or a ball game in the park. They could plan a simple family tea party to mark Olympic Day and think of foods with different shapes, such as wheels, batons or balls. Invite some friends and have a party!
  • In the community: choose one International celebration dish suggested by families to cook and share with members of the community. The event could include menus, waiters and waitresses in costume and appropriate music.

Discover

Help the children discover new things and encourage them to try a game or activity they have never taken part in before.

  • In class: learn the rules of a sport you have never tried before, such as handball. Each class could teach a different class how to play and organise a tournament or skills afternoon as a carousel.
  • As a whole school: discover your talents in creating something new – invite skilled adults, perhaps parents or local artists to share their skills – support the children to try sculpture, urban dance, sewing or even writing a play. Encourage them to blog on tablets about their experiences of discovering something new.
  • At home: discover a new skill that your family likes doing together. This could be a sport or leisure activity like walking or flying kites. Perhaps parents and grandparents have hobbies they used to do and would love to share with the children. What games did their parents and grandparents play when they were young?
  • In the community: celebrate by discovering the hidden talent in your community. Has anyone ever been part of the Olympic Games? Who were your local Torchbearers and Games Makers? Would they be willing to share their memories and experiences with the children? Invite community members to an afternoon of tea, cake and sharing sporting memories in honour of the Value of friendship.

Together for a better world

  • In class: run a class debate on how to achieve a more peaceful world. Create posters to display your ideas in the classroom. 
  • As a whole school: organise assembly presentations, where everyone shares ideas on how to create a more peaceful environment in school, and across the world. 
  • At home: create a model or image of the globe with your family/carers.
  • In the community: organise a fun run to raise money for charities you are passionate about that promote peace and unity locally.

Extension

Don't forget to tell us what exciting things you are doing by uploading your showcase.