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Mini Olympics at Home: Fun School Holiday Activities
School holidays are the perfect time for little ones to move, explore, and have fun! Our Mini Olympics at Home gives toddlers, preschoolers and school-age a chance to burn energy safely, develop new skills, and create magical memories.
At Busy Bees, we know how important active play is — that’s why we’ve created our very own MOVE programme. MOVE sessions are a favourite amongst tamariki, helping them build strength, coordination, and confidence through playful, guided movement.
Even if you’re at home for the holidays, you can bring the spirit of MOVE into your living room, backyard, or local park with a Mini Olympics at Home!
Why Movement Matters for Little Ones
Even simple activities help children:
- Build gross motor skills – crawling, jumping, balancing, and throwing strengthen muscles and coordination.
- Develop social skills – taking turns, cheering, and playing together builds confidence and cooperation.
- Boost creativity and problem-solving – themed games spark imagination and thinking skills.
- Support emotional wellbeing – active play releases energy, improves mood, and encourages independence.
Mini Olympics Events!
1. Soft Cushion Hurdles
Line up cushions or pillows on the floor. Children crawl, step, or hop over them safely. Make it more fun by calling it a “jungle adventure” or “mountain climb.”
Learning Benefits: Gross motor development (jumping, balancing, coordination), Spatial awareness, Confidence in moving safely over obstacles
2. Balloon Toss
Use lightweight balloons instead of balls. Children toss or gently hit the balloon to each other or toward a target. Add a “count the hits” game to make it engaging.
Learning Benefits: Hand-eye coordination, Timing and motor planning, Social interaction and turn-taking
3. Tunnel Crawl
Create a crawl tunnel using a play tunnel, cardboard boxes, or chairs draped with blankets. Encourage children to crawl through pretending they’re “exploring a cave” or “escaping a dragon.”
Learning Benefits: Core strength and coordination, Problem-solving (figuring out how to move through tight spaces), Imaginative play
4. Beanbag Balance Walk
Give each child a small beanbag to place on their head or hand while walking a short distance. Make it fun by pretending to carry “treasures” across a “bridge.”
Learning Benefits: Balance and posture, Focus and concentration, Gross motor planning
5. Animal Movement Races
Choose different animals for each race: hop like a bunny, waddle like a duck, slither like a snake, or tiptoe like a cat. Add fun sound effects and encourage them to “copy the animal.”
Learning Benefits: Coordination and strength, Listening and following instructions, Creativity and imaginative thinking
6. Mini Obstacle Adventure
Combine cushions, tunnels, and balance beams into a small course. Encourage children to go through crawling, stepping, balancing, and hopping. You can make it themed: pirate treasure hunt, jungle explorer, or superhero training.
Learning Benefits: Multi-skill gross motor development, Sequencing and problem-solving, Confidence and independence
7. Mini Medal Ceremony
Make paper or cardboard medals and let each child celebrate their achievements. Take photos to capture the fun!
Learning Benefits: Positive reinforcement, Sense of achievement and pride, Social-emotional development
Tips for a Safe and Fun Mini Olympics
- Keep activities short and flexible — toddlers’ attention spans are small.
- Use soft surfaces like carpet, grass, or foam mats.
- Supervise all activities, especially crawling or balancing games.
- Encourage creativity — let children invent their own “events” too!
Even with simple, safe activities, a home Mini Olympics gives children the joy of movement, the thrill of play, and the pride of achievement.
