Sports Day Checklist: What to Pack, What to Expect and Weather Plans
Sports day is a highlight of the summer term for many children, and for many parents it is the one school event they try hardest not to miss. It is also an event that moves: schools often hold a reserve date in case of rain, and the morning of sports day can bring a message that it is off, on, or moved to the afternoon.
Here is what to expect, what to pack, and how to keep up with changes on the day.
How sports day usually works
At primary school, sports day is usually held in June or July, on the school field or at a local track. Some schools hold one event for the whole school, others split it into infant and junior sessions or morning and afternoon. Many run a mix of traditional races, such as sprints, egg and spoon and sack races, and team activities where children move around stations in mixed-age groups.
Children often compete in house or team colours, which may mean wearing a coloured T-shirt rather than the usual PE kit. Parents are usually invited to watch, with a picnic lunch afterwards at some schools.
At secondary school, sports day tends to be more like an athletics competition, with fewer spectators.
What your child needs
- PE kit, or a T-shirt in their house or team colour if the school asks for one.
- Trainers that fit and are done up properly.
- A named water bottle, full.
- A sun hat, and sun cream applied before school, as many schools cannot apply it for children.
- A light waterproof if the forecast is changeable.
- A packed lunch if the school is having a picnic, which the letter will mention.
What parents should bring
- Something to sit on, as seating is often limited to the grass.
- Water, sun cream and a hat for yourself.
- A picnic, if the school invites families to stay for lunch.
- Patience with photographs: most schools ask parents not to share pictures that show other children.
When the weather changes the plan
Sports day is one of the few school events that depends on the weather, so most schools name a reserve date in the first letter. If the first date is rained off, the decision is often made on the morning itself, and it may reach parents by text, email or app message only an hour or two before.
That is what makes sports day hard to plan around. A parent who has booked a morning off work needs to know as early as possible whether it is happening, and needs the reserve date in the calendar from the start, not just the first one.
Hot weather matters too. On very hot days schools may shorten events, move them earlier, or ask children to bring extra water and hats.
A real-life example
A letter in May says sports day is on Wednesday 24 June at 1.30pm, with Friday 26 June as the reserve date. Children should come to school in house colours and bring a water bottle and sun hat. Parents are welcome on the field from 1.15pm.
Three weeks later, at 8am on the Wednesday, the school emails to say that because of the forecast, sports day is moving to the reserve date. A parent who only put the first date in the calendar has an afternoon off for nothing, and no plan for Friday.
Helping a reluctant child
Not every child loves sports day. For some, racing in front of a crowd is stressful, or they worry about coming last. Talking about it beforehand helps: focus on taking part, cheering for their team and the fun events, rather than winning. Many schools now emphasise team events for exactly this reason. If your child is very anxious, a word with the class teacher can help them plan.
Making it to sports day when you work
Sports day is usually on a weekday, often in the afternoon, and it is the event many working parents most want to see. Because of the weather, it also has two possible dates. Book the time off as soon as the letter arrives, and ask your employer early about flexibility for the reserve date too. If both parents work, it may help to agree in advance who will go if it moves.
If you cannot be there, tell your child in advance and ask them to tell you all about it afterwards. Some schools share photos of the day through their own app or newsletter, and another parent may be happy to take a photo of your child too.
Infant and junior sports days
Many primary schools run separate events for younger and older children. Infant sports days, for Reception to Year 2, tend to be shorter and focus on fun races and taking part. Junior sports days, for Years 3 to 6, are often more competitive, with house points, sprint finals and relay races. With children in both, you may have two events on different days, sometimes with different reserve dates.
How Peakly helps
Peakly reads the sports day letter and sends you a WhatsApp message with the date, the time, the reserve date and what your child needs to wear and bring. Both dates go into your Google or Outlook calendar.
If the school emails on the morning to say sports day has moved, Peakly reads that too: you get a message, and the calendar entry moves to the new date. At 8pm the evening before, your daily summary reminds you about house colours and sun cream.
Questions parents ask
When is sports day?
Usually in the summer term, most often in June or July. Your school sets the date and normally gives a reserve date too.
Can parents watch sports day?
Most primary schools invite parents to watch. Arrangements vary, so check the letter for times and where to go.
What happens if it rains?
Most schools move sports day to a reserve date. The decision is often made on the morning, so watch for a message from the school.
Do children need special trainers for sports day?
No. Ordinary trainers that fit well and are done up properly are fine. Spikes are usually not allowed at primary sports days.