Family, Lifestyle, Uncategorized

Free Olympic Activities for Kids

July 22, 2024

The excitement of the Olympics is upon us again. I love the Olympics so much and cannot wait to watch as much as I can. My most favorite sport ever is gymnastics (and not just around the olympics, I follow college and elite year round). I cannot wait to celebrate this fun event with my kids and teach them as much as I can. As families around the globe gather to cheer on their favorite athletes, there are plenty of ways to involve children in the spirit of this historic event. There are numerous free olympic activities for kids including easy game ideas and free printable resources available to make this Olympic season both educational and fun.

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There are so many fun ways to celebrate the Olympics with your kids/ family, below are a lot of free printables and easy activities, but you could also go all out and have a big party. I found tons of cute decorations that would be perfect. Here is a giant list of cute stuff to throw your own.

Free Olympic Printables

To save the printable, just click this link that will take you to a google drive. Each one is sized to print on a standard sheet of paper (8.5×11″). These are designed and created by me and are for individual use only, they are not for resale or profit. For the flag activity, all you need to do is print two of them, you can laminate them or leave them as is. I laminated mine and put velcro dots on one side and cut out the other side to make a flag matching game. You could also just cut out the flags and create a matching game.

The Origin of the Olympic Rings

Have you ever wondered why the Olympic Games are associated with those colorful rings? The story behind the Olympic rings is quite fascinating, especially for kids! Back in 1913, a man named Baron Pierre de Coubertin designed these rings as a symbol for the modern Olympic Games. He wanted something that would represent unity among athletes from all over the world. Each ring—blue, yellow, black, green, and red—stands for one of the continents of the world (Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas). When these rings are displayed together on a white background, they show that no matter where athletes come from, they can come together in friendly competition at the Olympics.

Free Olympic Activities for Kids

Now, let’s dive into the fun part—activities! Here are some fantastic free ideas to keep your young ones engaged and entertained during the Olympic season:

Create Your Own Olympic Games: Set up a mini-Olympics in your backyard or local park. You can organize events like sprints, long jumps, or even makeshift swimming races. Encourage kids to make their own medals using cardboard and paint.
Olympic Coloring Pages: Print out coloring sheets featuring Olympic symbols, famous athletes, or scenes from different sports. This is a great way for kids to learn about the various events while unleashing their creativity.
Learn About Different Countries: Pick a few countries participating in the Olympics and research their culture, language, and traditional sports. Kids can create posters or presentations showcasing what they’ve learned.
DIY Olympic Torch: Help your child craft their own Olympic torch using materials like cardboard tubes, tissue paper, and aluminum foil. They can then stage their own torch relay around the house or yard.
Watch Olympic Highlights: Check out official Olympic websites or YouTube channels for kid-friendly highlights of events. Discuss the rules of different sports and encourage them to pick a favorite athlete to cheer for.

Free Printables for Kids

To make your Olympic-themed activities even more enjoyable, here are some free printables you can easily download and use:

Olympic Rings Coloring Page: Let kids color and learn about the significance of each ring.
Medal Templates: Print out templates for gold, silver, and bronze medals for kids to decorate and award to family members or friends.
Olympic Word Search: Challenge kids with a fun word search featuring terms related to the Olympics.
Country Flags: Print flags of different countries participating in the Games for a geography lesson combined with sports.

By incorporating these activities and printables into your family’s olympic celebrations, you can create lasting memories while teaching children valuable lessons about sportsmanship, diversity, and global unity. Whether they’re inspired to become future athletes or simply enjoy cheering from the sidelines, the Olympics offer a wonderful opportunity for kids to celebrate the power of sports and culture on a global stage. So, grab your markers, gather your family, and let the games begin!