Suspended midway between childhood and adulthood...

Teens and pre-teens are an energetic yet often difficult cohort to engage - but fret not, because we've got a solution!

Unleash the Champion!

Unleash the champion within your little ones by organizing a Backyard Olympics packed with fun-filled homemade medals and games.

Transform your Backyard

Imagine transforming your backyard into a battleground for friendly competition, fostering the Olympic spirit in your kids early on.

The Benefits of a DIY Olympics

A DIY Olympics isn't just a great way to keep the kids active and entertained, it also fosters teamwork, builds self-confidence, and stirs up a healthy competitive spirit. Think it's difficult? Not at all!

Welcome to Our Step-by-step Guide

Welcome to our step-by-step guide to creating your very own Olympics for teens and pre-teens. Stick with us as we walk you through setting up the most unforgettable backyard event of the year - all you'll need is a dash of creativity, a pinch of planning, and a whole lot of enthusiasm.

Organizing a Backyard Olympics Event

The Heart and Soul: The Games

Now, let's talk about the heart and soul of your Backyard Olympics event - the games. While track and field events such as sprints or long jumps are the staples of any Olympics for teens, it’s also important to sprinkle in a few creative, non-traditional contests. Think of games that engage not just the body, but also the mind! How about a trivia relay where every correct guess moves the team closer to the finish line? Or a paired obstacle course that demands cooperation and strategic thinking? Whatever games you choose, keep in mind that variety is key. Mix your games lineup to ensure everyone, no matter their physical forte or mental acumen, has a moment to shine in your DIY Olympic games.

Planning Logistics

A fundamental part of the DIY Olympics for pre-teens is carefully planning the logistics. You'll need to outline your playing field with chalk or tape, earmark separate areas for each game, design scorecards, and ensure there's enough water and snacks to keep your young athletes fueled up. As for equipment? Scour your home for unused items that can be adapted into sporting equipment. Pillow cases for sack races, water balloons for a throw-and-catch contest, or old socks stuffed with rice for a make-shift shot put event! The idea here is simplicity saves the day. You can create a series of easy Olympic events that require minimal preparation but offer maximum fun.

The Setting

When your young champions step into the backyard, their eyes should light up with anticipation. So ensure your setting embodies the vibrant atmosphere of the Olympics. Consider an opening parade for teams to march in with homemade flags. Blast some inspiring tunes from the victory podium where the homemade medals will be presented. Perhaps you can even fashion an Olympic torch from construction paper to officially kick off your Backyard Olympics. Remember, it's not all about winning - it's the spirit of participation, camaraderie and sportsmanship that make these games truly Olympic-themed activities for kids.

Capturing the Moments

And how about capturing these precious moments? Throughout the events, act as the event photographer, capturing every jump, dodge, and dash. These memories of their very first Olympic Games for pre-teens are irreplaceable. Moreover, photographs become keepsakes that your kids can cherish, reminding them of the time they first unleashed the champion within themselves.

Downtime and Stories

Lastly, even the most sports-centered kids activities need to have some downtime. Build in breaks between your DIY competitive games to give the little ones a chance to rest. During these moments, share stories about famous Olympians. Let them know about the significant milestones in Olympic history. Embed their fun with learning. Remember, you're not just creating backyard Olympics, but sparking future champions by nurturing their love for sports and competition.

25 Essential Items for Your Backyard Olympics for Teens and Pre-teens

- Inflatable obstacle course
- Plastic Gold medals or DIY medals
- Stopwatch for timing events
- Inflatable swimming pool for water events
- Broad Jump Mat for long jump competitions
- Bean bag toss game set
- Tug-of-war rope
- Water balloons for balloon toss games
- Egg and spoon for balance races
- Hula hoops for various games
- Sack race bags
- Sports cones for creating boundaries
- Baseball set for bat toss competitions
- Table Tennis set for ping-pong tournaments
- Badminton set for some racket games
- Frisbee for disc throwing contests
- Volleyball and net set
- Archery set
- Dartboard for precision games
- Chalk for marking boundaries and lanes
- Soccer ball for penalty shootouts
- Discus and Shot Put, made with safe, soft material
- Javelin made with soft material
- Mini hurdles for obstacle races
- First aid kit, ensuring safety during the games

Other Stuff You May Like:

25 Essential Items for Your Backyard Olympics for Teens and Pre-teens

- Inflatable obstacle course
- Plastic Gold medals or DIY medals
- Stopwatch for timing events
- Inflatable swimming pool for water events
- Broad Jump Mat for long jump competitions
- Bean bag toss game set
- Tug-of-war rope
- Water balloons for balloon toss games
- Egg and spoon for balance races
- Hula hoops for various games
- Sack race bags
- Sports cones for creating boundaries
- Baseball set for bat toss competitions
- Table Tennis set for ping-pong tournaments
- Badminton set for some racket games
- Frisbee for disc throwing contests
- Volleyball and net set
- Archery set
- Dartboard for precision games
- Chalk for marking boundaries and lanes
- Soccer ball for penalty shootouts
- Discus and Shot Put, made with safe, soft material
- Javelin made with soft material
- Mini hurdles for obstacle races
- First aid kit, ensuring safety during the games