Indoor Olympics

Name and Purpose

• Indoor Olympics turns everyday objects into athletic events that anyone can try.
• Players build problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking while having fun with unusual challenges.

a.k.a.

• Indoor Games Festival, Room Olympics

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 8-40 players | 30-60 minutes | Indoor gym or large cleared classroom

Materials

• Straws (for javelin toss or relay carry)
• Balloons (for shot put, keep-up, or relay)
• Paper and tape (for paper airplane distance, paper ball shot)
• Recycled containers (cups, boxes, for targets)
• Soft balls or rolled-up socks
• Rope or tape for boundary lines
• Scoreboard (paper or whiteboard)
• Optional: medals cut from cardboard for everyone at the end

Quick-Run Card

1. Set up 4-6 stations before players arrive.
2. Divide into teams of 3-5 and explain the rotation signal.
3. Teams rotate through all stations together.
4. Award points for effort, creativity, and completing the event.
5. Close with a showcase round and celebrate every team.

Setup and Boundaries

• Set up each station with clear markers so teams know where to stand and what to do
• Post a simple instruction card at each station
• Signal: 1 whistle = switch events; 2 whistles = gather in the centre
• Check that stations are spaced far enough apart to avoid crossover collisions

How to Play

1. Before the session, set up 4-6 event stations around the room. Suggested events:
   • Straw Javelin: flick a straw as far as possible from behind a line
   • Balloon Shot Put: toss a balloon as far as it will travel
   • Paper Plane Distance: fold and launch a paper plane for distance
   • Stack Attack: stack recycled containers as high as possible in 30 seconds
   • Sock Roll: roll a balled-up sock to knock over a target
   • Straw Relay: teams carry a balloon from one end of the room to the other using only a straw
2. Divide players into teams of 3-5. Teams rotate through every station together.
3. At each station, the whole team attempts the event. Everyone gets at least one turn.
4. Points are awarded for participation, best effort, and completing the event. Bonus points for creative technique.
5. Staff circulate between stations to encourage and assist.
6. After all teams have visited all stations, gather for a showcase round: each team demonstrates their favourite event.
7. Close with a group celebration. Every participant earns a spot on the podium.

I-OPt Options

• Start:
  • A (Active): Jump into the first event with full energy
  • S (Support): Help your team decide who goes first and in what order
  • Q (Quiet): Read the station instructions card and explain the event to your team
  • O (Observer): Watch one team attempt the first event before joining
• Mid:
  • A (Active): Try every variation of each event
  • S (Support): Cheer your teammates and track the team score
  • Q (Quiet): Focus on one event you enjoy and refine your technique
  • O (Observer): Take note of creative techniques and share them at the showcase
• Late:
  • A (Active): Lead your team through the final station
  • S (Support): Help slower teammates complete their attempts before time runs out
  • Q (Quiet): Quietly prepare your favourite moment to share at the showcase
  • O (Observer): Choose one thing to say at the debrief
• End:
  • A (Active): Lead your team’s showcase demonstration
  • S (Support): Help set up or clear stations after the showcase
  • Q (Quiet): Receive your recognition quietly and enjoy the moment
  • O (Observer): Share one observation about what surprised you

Inclusion Adaptations

• Station instructions can be written in large print and also explained verbally before the rotation begins
• Each event can be scaled: shorter distances, larger targets, or slower timers for players who need a different challenge level

Stewardship Moment

• Use only repurposed or recyclable materials (paper, cardboard, straws, old socks). Avoid single-use plastic.
• After play: collect all straws, reusable containers, and equipment for storage. Recycle paper scraps.
• Reflection: “We built a whole Olympics out of things we already had. What does that tell us about what we really need to have fun?”

Consent

• Pre-brief: “Every event today has been designed so you can try it in your own way. For those who prefer a less physical challenge, scorekeeper and station explainer are full roles in this game. There is no pressure to be the fastest or throw the farthest.”
• For those not comfortable with any part of this activity, sitting out or joining as an observer is another option.
• Mid-game check: At the halfway rotation, pause briefly. “How is everyone feeling? Thumbs up, sideways, or down.”
• Opt-out/re-entry: Players can watch a station and step in for the next one. No explanation needed.

Risks and Mitigation

• Balloon or straw hitting someone in the eye: establish a throwing line; all throws go in one direction only
• Teams rushing ahead without waiting for everyone: rotate together as a group; no solo sprinting between stations
• One team dominating the score: emphasise that effort and creativity points are worth just as much as distance or accuracy

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Object Tour”: walk through all stations before play; each player picks up one item and guesses what event it belongs to
• “Stretch Olympics”: 30 seconds of the widest stretch, the highest reach, the slowest walk, the longest balance

Debrief Questions

• What? “Which event surprised you most? Why?”
• So What? “What did you learn about your team by watching how everyone tackled different challenges?”
• Now What? “What everyday object would you turn into an Olympic event if you could design one yourself?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Return furniture to original positions
• Collect all reusable materials (straws, containers, rope) and store them
• Recycle paper scraps
• Do a full sweep of the floor for small items