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Active School Week

Get active, get moving! Embrace the energy of Active School Week and encourage healthy habits through exciting sports and enjoyable activities.

Monday

26–30

April 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATELast Full Week in April (Monday to Friday)

OBSERVED INIreland

CATEGORYSchool

SUBCATEGORYStudent Life

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to tie up those shoelaces and break a sweat! Active School Week, occurring on April 22, is an exciting initiative aimed at promoting physical activity and healthful habits among school-aged children. This dynamic event has roots going back to the late 1990s, when health professionals recognized the growing need for increased physical movement among youth, particularly in the school environment. From competitive sports to joy-filled games, Active School Week serves as a reminder of the fun and importance of staying active. On your marks, get set... let's get moving for Active School Week!

TIMELINE

Active School Week Timeline

Recognizing Health Needs

Health professionals acknowledge the growing necessity for increased physical exercise among the youth in the school environment.

First Steps of Active School Week

Initial concepts of Active School Week begin to take form to address the low-push concern regarding children's healthiness.

Active School Week Launch

Active School Week is officially launched, promoting physical activities and healthy habits among school-aged children nationwide.

Increased Participation

A dramatic increase in participation is observed as schools across the country embrace the initiative and encourage sports and enjoyable physical activities.

Active School Week Goes Virtual

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Active School Week maintains its aim and goes virtual, ensuring children can stay active and healthy within their homes.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Active School Week

Organize a School Sports Carnival

Set up different sports stations around the school grounds with various activities and games. This could include basketball, soccer, races, jump rope contests, and more. It's a fun way to get everyone moving and involved.

START

Start a Dance-Off Challenge

Encourage students to showcase their dancing skills with a schoolwide dance-off. You can make it even more engaging by teaching various dance styles during PE classes throughout the week.

HOST

Host a Fitness Workshop

Bring in a professional trainer or local fitness expert to host a workshop for the students. They can demonstrate different exercises, explain their benefits, and guide students through an interactive fitness session.

ACTIVATE

Activate Morning Announcements

Start the day off on an active note by incorporating simple exercises or stretches into the morning announcements. Have each morning start with school-wide jumping jacks, for example.

CREATE

Create a Walking or Running Club

Set up a club that meets before or after school to walk or run around the school grounds. This can help students develop a regular habit of physical activity, and it can continue beyond Active School Week!

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Active School Week

Encourages Long-Term Healthy Habits

The activities designed for Active School Week can help establish good fitness habits early in life. Initiatives like morning exercises and running clubs can extend beyond the event itself, encouraging students to incorporate regular physical activity into their everyday routines. This helps to lay a strong foundation for lifelong fitness habits.

Promotes Physical Activity

Active School Week involves organizing fun activities and sports that encourage kids to participate and get moving. This contributes to their overall health by improving their physical fitness. It's a wonderful way for kids to break away from sedentary activities such as screen time, and gives them a chance to enjoy themselves while staying physically active.

It's Fun and Engaging

From sports carnivals to dance-offs, Active School Week offers a variety of enjoyable activities that not only keep kids moving but also engaged and excited. The emphasis is not just on physical movement but also on having fun, which makes it more appealing for students to take part.

Related holidays

National Physical Education and Sport Week

Get active and show off your athletic skills during National Physical Education and Sport Week - the perfect time to embrace a healthy lifestyle!

Every Kid Healthy Week

Get in gear for Every Kid Healthy Week! It's all about nutritious food, fitness activities, and happy, healthy lifestyles for our little ones!

Move More Month

Get ready to move and groove all month long with Move More Month! Join us in taking small steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

Healthy Kids Day

Join us for Healthy Kids Day and inspire your children to live actively, eat well, and lead a vibrant, healthy life!

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