5 Ideas to Increase Daily Activities in Schools
With increasing concerns around children's health and wellbeing, finding ways to boost physical activity in schools has never been more important. Incorporating movement throughout the school day can improve focus, mood, and academic performance, and it doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated.
Whether you're looking to enhance PE daily or get children moving more often, these five ideas will help you bring more activity into your school day.
1. Start the Day with a Wake-Up Workout
Start the day off with a 5-minute active routine. Simple stretches, jumping jacks, or dance breaks in the classroom help energise students before lessons begin.
This light burst of physical activity in schools can improve concentration and set a positive tone for the day.
2. Use Movement Brain Breaks
Every 30–45 minutes, schedule a 2-minute movement break. Try yoga poses, chair stretches, or quick classroom games. These short bursts of activity keep students focused and engaged.
They’re a simple way to integrate PE daily without changing your timetable.
Click here to download some ideas for movement breaks
3. Make Active Travel a Habit
Encourage children to walk or cycle to school through reward systems, 'walking buses,' or themed weeks like “Walk to School Wednesday.” This supports walking PE initiatives and builds healthy habits outside of school hours.
4. Create an Active Playground
Equip playgrounds with skipping ropes, chalk for hopscotch, or obstacle markers. Designate activity zones for different games or skill practice. Structured yet fun play times boost physical activity in schools beyond formal PE lessons.
You can also empower older children to lead playground games for younger ones, as peer-led movement can be especially motivating for younger children. It also supports leadership development and reinforces the importance of being physically active for the whole school.
5. Incorporate Movement into Learning
Get creative with lesson delivery. You could use spelling relays, maths hopscotch, or history treasure hunts to incorporate movement into academic tasks. This helps to keep children active while supporting learning across the curriculum.
Boosting physical activity in schools doesn’t require overhauling your schedule. Small changes, from wake-up workouts to classroom challenges, make a big impact. Regular movement keeps students healthy, focused, and ready to learn, and it can be as easy as taking the first step.
Looking for more ideas? Explore our full range of free resources for more activities you can do!