Teaching Ideas for a Superhero Day

Superhero Day takes place every 28th April, and is a day to celebrate fictional superheroes from comics, books and movies, as well as real-life heroes who inspire us.

If you’re celebrating the day, try some of these activities with your children. Don’t forget to add a comment below if you have any other ideas!

English:

• Use our templates to create a profile of a superhero, detailing their secret identity, powers, and arch-enemy..
• Write a short comic strip featuring a hero overcoming a challenge.
• Write a letter to a favourite superhero, explaining why you admire them.
• Create a vocabulary list linked to superheroes and powers.
• Have a debate about who is the best superhero and why.
• Write a poem about a superhero.
• Create a superhero diary entry detailing their day saving the world.
• Use our superhero transition resources.
• Read a story about a superhero. Use some of our ideas for books like Send for a Superhero, Superkid, or Superfrog.
• Create a list of words that use the prefix “super”.
• Try one of these fun superhero-themed English activities from the BBC.
• Use speech bubbles to create dialogue between superheroes and villains, then convert it to direct speech.
• Explore our Superhero Guide for other ideas and resources.

Maths:

• Invent some superhero-themed word problems and challenge a friend to solve them.
• Make some superhero top trumps with our handy template.
• Create a superhero shop in the role-play area.
• Use a tally chart to record favourite superheroes, then show the data as a chart or graph.
• Create symmetrical superhero logos.

Science:

• Make oobleck from cornflour and water. Would it be a good defence for a superhero? Or a good weapon?
• Discuss the human body using our Human Body Pack. How might a superhero’s body be different?
• Create a simple circuit to power a superhero’s gadget.
• Investigate real-life animals with “superpowers”. Our Senses Pack has a great comprehension text on this topic.
• Use a torch and cardboard cutouts to create superhero signals.
• Try one of these Superhero Science ideas. Science Sparks also has some great investigations.

Computing:

• Code a simple game where a superhero must overcome obstacles to save the day.
• Create a digital superhero comic.
• Animate a superhero character using Scratch.
• Program a Roamer or Beebot to navigate a superhero mat.
• Make superhero digital art using graphic design software.
• Use a device to record reading a superhero story.
• Discuss online safety with these resources.

Design Technology:

• Design and build a superhero vehicle or gadget from recycled materials.
• Create a model of a superhero’s hideout.
• Design a durable cape or costume that can withstand ‘superhero activities’.
• Sew superhero masks.

Art:

• Paint a portrait of a favourite superhero.
• Sculpt superhero figures with clay or playdough.
• Design a comic book cover.
• Use this idea to create a group superhero picture.
• Look at Superman by Andy Warhol and make your own version with a different superhero.

Music:

• Compose a theme song for a superhero.
• Create sound effects for superhero actions using instruments or everyday objects.
• Play musical statues, freezing into superhero poses.

Geography:

• Design a superhero-themed treasure hunt around the school or local area.
• Match environments to superpowers, for example, if the superhero has a freeze power, they are matched to an icy environment. What kind of environment would be more difficult for them to operate in?
• Create a map showing a superhero’s town or city. Where do they live? Where do they work?

History:

• Create a superhero timeline showing the lives and achievements of fictional or real-life superheroes.
• Discuss real-life heroes throughout history and their ‘superpowers’.
• Look at a superhero based on a mythology, such as the Norse Gods. Can you see how the character has developed?

Physical Education:

• Set up a superhero training camp with activities like obstacle courses, speed drills, and agility training.
• Try some superhero yoga poses.
• Try some partner exercises where one acts as the superhero and the other as the sidekick. Can you mirror each other?
• Invent your own game based on a superhero.

Religious Education:

• Discuss what religious figures might have in common with superheroes.
• Discuss real-life ethical and religious heroes like Gandhi or Mother Teresa.

Languages:

• Learn how to say “superhero” in different languages.
• Invent a simple role play between a superhero and someone they have helped in the language you are studying.
• Read a superhero story or comic in a different language.
• Create superhero posters with multilingual slogans.

PSHE:

• Discuss the concept of heroism in everyday life and how we can be heroes in our community.
• Debate the characteristics of a superhero and relate them to personal development.
• Discuss how superheroes handle failure and what we can learn from it.
• Role-play scenarios where students solve problems like superheroes.
• Create a class superhero, focusing on internal qualities.
• Who is your everyday superhero and why? Write thank you notes to them.
• Discuss questions such as: If you were a superhero, what would your power be? Why did you choose it? How would it help you?