What children will learn
- Measure distances in metres and centimetres and read a stopwatch
- Record results in a table and compare them
- Calculate an average (mean) from three attempts
You'll need
- This page printed, or a results table drawn on paper
- A tape measure
- A stopwatch or phone timer
- Chalk, sticks or shoes to mark start and finish lines
- A beanbag, rolled-up socks or soft ball
- A bucket or washing basket and a pencil
Safety first
- Adult supervision required, especially near roads, driveways or water.
- Wear a hat and sunscreen, drink water between events and rest in the shade.
- Clear the area of sticks, rocks and toys, and only throw soft objects with nobody in the throwing zone.
How to do it
- Set up five events: standing long jump, beanbag throw, 20-metre sprint, 10-metre hop and a bucket toss (5 throws from 3 metres, score 1 point per landing).
- Measure and mark each course with the tape measure. Let children do the measuring and check each other's work.
- Each athlete has three tries at every event. One person times or measures, another records the result on the sheet.
- Work out each athlete's average for every event: add the three tries and divide by 3. Round to the nearest centimetre or tenth of a second.
- Hold a medal ceremony. Award medals for best average and for 'most improved' between the first and third try.
Make it easier
Use two tries instead of three and find the halfway point between them, or count steps instead of using a tape measure.
Make it harder
Find the range as well as the mean, convert centimetres to metres (e.g. 145 cm = 1.45 m), or graph everyone's results.
Parent tip: Celebrate personal bests rather than who wins — comparing your own first and third tries keeps younger siblings motivated.
Backyard Olympics Results
Name: ____________________ Date: ____________
| Event | Try 1 | Try 2 | Try 3 |
| Long jump (cm) | |||
| Beanbag throw (m) | |||
| 20 m sprint (sec) | |||
| 10 m hop (sec) | |||
| Bucket toss (pts) |
Average = (Try 1 + Try 2 + Try 3) ÷ 3. Write each average next to the event.
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