Everything You Need for a Brilliant School Sports Day
Planning a school sports day? From traditional races and relay activities to athletics events and team challenges, having the right equipment makes organising your event easier.
Splay helps schools find practical sports day equipment for different age groups, pupil numbers and budgets.
Start with the events. Then choose the kit.Practical equipment for races, relays and activity stations.
Sports Day Equipment Categories
Build your list around the events you will run. Start with equipment you already own, then fill the gaps in your school sports day supplies.
Traditional Sports Day Races
Plan egg-and-spoon races, sack races, beanbag races and team challenges around your pupils. Check you have the specific items for each race; cones and markers help define stations.
Start with cones & markers →Running & Relay Events
Allow one baton per relay team and mark clear starts, finishes and changeover areas with cones. Use your school's timing equipment if results need recording.
Explore junior relay batons →Jumping & Throwing
Choose low hurdles and beanbag target activities suited to pupils' ages and abilities. Keep landing and throwing areas clear and arrange measuring equipment for scored events.
Explore training hurdles →Team Games & Challenges
Use coloured bibs, cones and markers to organise groups. Add bowling or coordination stations so pupils can take part in a mix of team games and individual challenges.
Explore training bibs →Organisation & Event Essentials
Whistles, boundary markers and equipment bags help staff manage stations and move kit. Allocate a timing device where required and keep spare equipment close to each activity.
Explore coaching essentials →Sports Day Equipment Packs
Existing PE and agility packs can support warm-ups, circuits and station layouts. Check the contents against your event plan; these are broader training packs, not complete traditional race sets.
Explore equipment packs →For primary school sports day equipment, prioritise manageable sizes and simple participation activities. For secondary pupils, adapt distances, hurdle heights and challenge levels to ability. Supervise jumping and throwing, separate throwing zones from running lanes, and follow your school's risk assessment.
How to Plan Your School Sports Day
A clear plan helps you choose quantities, organise staff and keep pupils moving between activities.
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Decide on your events
Choose activities suited to pupil ages, abilities and available space.
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Confirm participant numbers
Consider how many pupils will participate and how many events will operate simultaneously.
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Plan your equipment quantities
Ensure each station has sufficient equipment to avoid unnecessary waiting.
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Organise your event layout
Plan running areas, activity stations, equipment storage and spectator locations.
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Prepare for event day
Check equipment condition, assign responsibilities and allow suitable time for setup.
A simple way to plan quantities
Count how many pupils use each station at once, then multiply by the equipment needed per pupil or team. For example, four relay teams need four batons for one race; running the same race in two separate areas needs eight. Check pack sizes before ordering and allow for spares where practical.
Sports Day Equipment Checklist
Use this as a starting point and adapt it to your chosen sports day games and equipment.
Running and relays
- Relay equipment
- Cones and markers
- Timing equipment where required
Traditional races
- Equipment for selected activities
- Equipment storage and transport
Team activities
- Bibs and team markers
- Balls and activity equipment
Event organisation
- Whistles
- Boundaries and activity zones
- First-aid arrangements
- Equipment storage
Equipment purchasing supports your event plan. Your school remains responsible for risk assessment, safeguarding, supervision, first-aid provision and arrangements for weather and pupil needs.
Make Sports Day Purchasing Easier
Planning multiple events can require a wide range of equipment. Explore Splay's existing training and equipment packs to help organise your activities, or contact our team if you need a larger or tailored requirement.
Check each pack's contents: the collection includes broader PE and training kits, rather than only sports day equipment packs.
Practical Equipment for Your Activity Stations
These catalogue options support relays, target games and event setup. Check current availability and the product details before ordering.
Junior Relay Batons
Six lightweight plastic batons for junior relays. Plan quantities around the number of teams racing at once.
View relay batons →
10 Pin Bowling Set
Ten plastic pins, two balls and a carry bag for a supervised target-game station.
View bowling set →
Mini Training Setup Kit
60 space markers, a whistle and a carry bag to help set up and organise activity areas.
View mini training kit →For beanbag activities, explore numbered bean bags and check availability. Add sports whistles and equipment bags to your event list as needed. Arrange any specialist throwing or measuring equipment separately after checking suitability.
Buying Sports Day Equipment for Your School?
Splay supports schools, academies and approved organisations with straightforward equipment purchasing.
Apply for a Splay Trade Account to have your organisation verified and access the approved purchasing arrangements available to your account.
Once approved, you can browse products, build orders online and use purchase-order purchasing where separately authorised.
Credit terms are subject to separate approval. You can also purchase normally online without requesting a quote.
Need Help Planning Your Sports Day Equipment?
Whether you're organising a small primary school event or a larger school sports day, Splay can help you identify practical equipment for your activities and budget.
Quotations are optional for larger or tailored orders. Ordinary purchases can be made directly through the website.