Apr 1, 2026 • 4 min read
10 Ways to Get Moving in April
For the month of April, Classroom Champions focuses on Healthy Living as the social and emotional learning (SEL) theme in our Champion Mindset program. When it comes to healthy living, we focus on both physical and emotional wellness. One way to address both is to get moving!
Let’s Get Moving!For the month of April, Classroom Champions focuses on Healthy Living as the social and emotional learning (SEL) theme in our Champion Mindset Curriculum. When it comes to healthy living, we focus on both physical and emotional wellness. One way to address both is to get moving!Exercise not only has physical benefits like strengthening muscles and bones, reducing the risk of disease, and improving sleep quality – it can also improve mental health by reducing stress and depression while improving cognitive functioning and self-esteem.When students build healthy habits early, those habits can turn into mindsets that last a lifetime.Here are ten ways to get moving during the month of April:
1: Start with one step forward — go for a walk!Sounds simple enough, but going for a walk helps build awareness of the world around us while getting our bodies moving. Encourage your students — and yourself — to take some deep breaths, stop and smell the roses, stroll and catch up with a friend!You can also try a mindful walk. This is simply walking with intention as you pay closer attention to your steps, your breathing, and your surroundings. It’s a great way to build both movement and mindfulness into your day.Check out this free mindful walking resource HERE.
1: Start with one step forward — go for a walk!Sounds simple enough, but going for a walk helps build awareness of the world around us while getting our bodies moving. Encourage your students — and yourself — to take some deep breaths, stop and smell the roses, stroll and catch up with a friend!You can also try a mindful walk. This is simply walking with intention as you pay closer attention to your steps, your breathing, and your surroundings. It’s a great way to build both movement and mindfulness into your day.Check out this free mindful walking resource HERE.
2: Empower physical activity in the classroomCheck out Kid Power, a free award-winning digital platform for the classroom that features activity videos designed to empower the whole student–heart, body, and mind! Get your students up and moving as they unlock RUTFs (therapeutic food packets) for kids in need around the world and earn coins towards helping local causes. Sign up for a free account today!3: Use alternative flexible seating optionsFlexible seating like exercise balls can help students stay active even while working. These options encourage core engagement and movement, helping students stay focused and energized throughout the day.4: Practice yoga and mindful breathing techniquesIntroduce students to simple stretching, breathing, and mindfulness exercises. These strategies can help manage stress, improve focus, and support emotional regulation—especially during busy or high-pressure times. You could even invite a local yoga studio instructor to lead your students through some deep stretching and relaxation techniques! Many of the tips and tricks will be helpful for students to remember during spring test-taking to help manage anxiety and concentration.5: Create an obstacle course to increase coordinationPartner with your PE teacher to create an obstacle course for kids. Challenge them to beat their previous times. Obstacle courses engage kids’ gross-motor skills such as kicking, crawling, running, jumping, throwing, lifting, and climbing, which can help with balance, hand-eye coordination, and crossing the midline.6: Let imaginations run wild and invite students to act out a storyChildren of all ages love being read to. Read a picture book or a chapter from a longer novel aloud, and ask kids to act out the story as you read. Engage their imaginations as well as their bodies in bringing stories to life.7: Take brain breaks to increase student focusShort movement breaks throughout the day can make a big difference in student focus and energy. Create a simple “brain break” routine or let students choose quick activities like jumping jacks, stretching, or dance breaks.
8: Host a kickball tournamentPit students against faculty in a lunchtime kickball tournament. Encourage team spirit by inviting all to dress up in themed costumes. Can’t you just smell that bouncy red rubber ball?9: Collaborate with students to create a recess jarGive students ownership over how they move. Have them write down different games or activities and add them to a “recess jar.” Each day, pick one to encourage variety, inclusion, and creativity during playtime.10: Plan a year’s end Olympic GamesCreate outdoor stations that kids can rotate through as part of a year’s end celebration. Use everyday items to test students’ coordination, focus, and perseverance. See turnkey ideas here.
Classroom Champions Athlete Mentor and Olympic cross-country skier, Brittany Webster, visiting her classroom in Grand Prairie, AB.As spring hits in cities and towns far and wide, find ways to get your students moving inside and outside of the classroom. And find more healthy living habits of mind by signing up for Classroom Champions’ Champion Mindset Curriculum.Ready to support your students’ healthy habits all year long? Download our free Healthy Living Toolkit and start building a classroom culture that prioritizes both physical and emotional wellness.
