World Athletics releases toolkit to encourage children to get active on Kids' Athletics Day 2023

World Athletics has announced the release of a ‘Kids’ Athletics Day at home’ toolkit for children around the world who wish to take part in Kids’ Athletics Day 2023.

Targeting the highest ever level of participation in Kids' Athletics Day across the world, World Athletics has specially designed the toolkit for children who may not have access to an organised Kids’ Athletics Day activity but wish to join in the fun on 7th May.

It provides all the basics to get moving including:

• Activity cards with instructions on how to stage an obstacle course, air bowling and “flying saucers

• A ‘Design your own spikes’ template for kids to make their dream spikes

• An activity pyramid with different running, jumping and balancing challenges

The ‘Kids’ Athletics Day at home’ toolkit can easily be printed off at home or at school so that kids can get active in their own backyards, with their friends, in the playground at school - or wherever they can practice sport safely.

An annual celebration that takes place on 7th May, Kids’ Athletics Day is a global day entirely dedicated to celebrating children and young people being active by participating in athletics.

Described as “the cornerstone of World Athletics’ Kids’ Athletics program”, Kids’ Athletics Day aims to use the power of athletics to inspire children and young people, wherever they are, to be more active, develop their skills and confidence, and to connect with sport for life.

This year, World Athletics has set a goal of getting 400,000 children active on 7th May.

World Athletics has also launched a global Kids’ Athletics Day Challenge to all of its member federations and continental area associations.

This will see the member federation with the best Kids’ Athletics Day activation - measured by a combination of participation rates, social media engagement levels and overall innovation - awarded a prize including a US$10,000 one-off Kids’ Athletics MF Challenge award to be used to promote and activate Kids’ Athletics (or an equivalent youth activity) in their country.

In addition, the area association with the best participation rate, based on a cumulative score of the participating MFs in each area will also be eligible for a US$10,000 one-off Kids’ Athletics Area Challenge award to be used to promote and activate Kids’ Athletics at an Area Championship.

French and Spanish versions of the toolkit will be available shortly.

Click here to view the Kids’ Athletics Day toolkit.