Gold! Gold! Gold! Get ready to support your team

Time to brush up on the national anthem and get into the green and gold! We're cheering on Team Australia as they take on the world's best in Tokyo, and we can't wait to see how everything plays out.

Watching our athletes swim, run and cycle their way around Japan is a great excuse for family time, and maybe even some sporty-themed entertaining at home. Whether you're thinking about hosting a party, or just after a few fun activities for the kids to do in between the swimming heats, we have plenty of ideas for bringing the spirit of Tokyo into your home.

The Games run July 23 to August 8, and then our disabled athletes get their turn August 24 to September 5. So there's plenty of time to get excited and support your team with family and friends.

Get your home ready for the biggest sports party of 2021

Is your home going for gold right now? Tokyo is only an hour's time difference for most of the country, so this year there's no need to stay up till 4am watching the hockey quarter finals. Instead, pencil in some quality family time to enjoy the games with your nearest and dearest, and prepare for plenty of cheering.

While the athletes sweat it out in summertime Japan, we're stuck with the midyear chills. So make sure everyone's rugged up and cosy while watching the Games. Hooded blankets are a fun way to keep kids (and adults!) snug and warm. And a big bunch of throw blankets will keep everyone toasty - including any guests who pop by.

Don't forget the TV snacks! Invest in new glasses and servingware like wooden platters or chip-and-dip bowls to really up your nibblies game. You might like to team with the Tokyo theme, too: think sushi, matcha cookies and seaweed snacks, or Japanese sodas from your local Asian grocer.

It's gold, gold, gold with fun craft ideas for the kids

If you've got kids in the house, why not organise some mini games of your own? Running, jumping and a bit of kickabout with a soccer ball in the backyard are all excellent competitive events. Or maybe your littlies might like to choreograph their own artistic gym routines? (Just make sure the double backflips don't get too ambitious!)

Sports competitions need prizes, so they can get crafty making these fun medals from air dry clay - don't forget to have the winners stand on a stool for presentation, and maybe sing a few bars of the anthem while they're at it.. These awards can be gifted over and over again - no matter how long your household's athletic contests run.

Looking for more fun craft activities for the kids? Keep them busy making these pompom headbands - they can choose their favourite team colours, or maybe a mix of red, yellow and black as a tribute to our Indigenous athletes. Wear them during your own mini opening ceremony, or while barracking from the couch.

Party like it's Tokyo 2021 and celebrate with family and friends

Feel like sharing some of that Tokyo spirit? Invite friends and family over for a real celebration of international sportsmanship - or maybe just a few cheeky toasts to the talented competitors before watching the opening ceremony on TV.

All celebrations feel pretty special right now, so make the most of it with themed party décor. Foil curtains and paper fans in green and gold are a great background for some serious Team Australia celebrations. And if you've got kids in the house they might like to help out as well. Coloured paper makes great bunting, as do sporty drawings (and a little glitter).

Paper cups, plates and napkins in green and gold will have guests feeling patriotic - you can even go for gold-coloured party cutlery, too.

Plan some party games that will get adults and kids involved. A ring toss seems appropriate, or maybe some athletic trivia questions for your party guests. Whoever knows what a double twisting double salto is gets all the points!

Show us how you're getting behind your team this year by tagging @spotlightstores and #itswhatyoumakeit on Instagram and Facebook.