The Best April Classroom Themes & Holidays in 2025

If you’re looking for some April classroom themes you’ve come to the right place. I’ll show you tons of theme ideas and what lessons you can base off of these themes. I’ll include ideas for April preschool themes as well as elementary ideas too!

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April Classroom Theme Ideas

There are a lot of fun themes to incorporate into your April lesson plans including:

Earth Day
Spring Theme
Butterflies & Insects
Frogs Theme
National Poetry Month
Pond Classroom Theme
Easter, Rabbit and Eggs Classroom Themes

For each of these April themes let’s check out some discussion ideas, learning activities, book suggestions, crafts, games and more! We’ll explore ideas for preschool, kindergarten and younger elementary students as well as older elementary students too!

Earth Day Classroom Theme

One of the most popular April classroom themes is Earth Day, which is April 22^nd. This is a great opportunity to teach students how to respect the planet and why it’s so important. Let’s check out some fun ideas to celebrate Earth Day in your classroom this year.

Classroom Discussions for Earth Day

Why is Earth Day Important? Talk about the history of this important holiday and why it’s celebrated globally.
What Can We Do to Help the Earth? Brainstorm eco-friendly habits students can adopt, such as recycling, saving water, or biking to school.
The Life of Trash- Discuss where trash goes after it’s thrown away and the impact of littering on the environment.
The 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- Explore the meaning of each “R” with examples and discuss how students can apply these in daily life.
Animals and Their Habitats- Discuss endangered animals and how pollution and habitat destruction affect them.
What is Climate Change? Simplify the concept of climate change and its effects on the planet using relatable examples.
Our Favorite Outdoor Places- Encourage students to share their favorite outdoor places and discuss how they can help keep these areas clean.
What Would You Do? Here’s a great way to teach students that they can make a difference. Present scenarios like “What would you do if you saw someone littering?” and let students share their ideas.

Fun Activities for Earth Day

Nature Scavenger Hunt- Organize a scavenger hunt where students look for natural items like leaves, rocks, and flowers. Provide a checklist with facts about each item.
Planting Activity- Provide seeds, soil, and small pots for students to plant flowers or herbs. Discuss how plants help the Earth.
DIY Compost Bin- Teach students about composting by creating a small compost bin using organic waste. Discuss how composting reduces landfill waste.
Water Conservation Experiment- Show how much water gets wasted through dripping faucets and brainstorm ways to conserve water at home and school.
Nature Walk and Journaling- Take the class outside to observe nature and write or draw in a journal about what they see, hear, and feel.
Earth Day Pledge Poster- Create a classroom pledge poster where students commit to simple actions, like turning off lights or using reusable bottles.

Earth Day Games & Crafts

Recycled Art Project- Have students bring recyclable materials from home to create artwork or useful items like pencil holders or picture frames.
Recycling Relay Race- Set up bins labeled for different types of recyclables. Students race to sort items into the correct bins.
Build a Bird Feeder- Use recycled materials (like milk cartons or soda bottles) to create bird feeders, encouraging students to support local wildlife.

Earth Day Story Time

Here are some great classroom books to emphasize what students are learning during Earth Day.

National Poetry Month

The month of April is national poetry month. So, why not feature poetry as one of your April classroom themes? This is a great time for students to gain a deeper appreciation and an understanding of poetry in all its many forms. Check out some class discussion and creative learning activities that are centered around poetry below.

Poetry Classroom Discussion Ideas

What is Poetry? Ask students to define poetry in their own words and discuss its differences from stories or songs.
Why Do We Write Poetry? Talk about how poetry helps express feelings, tell stories, or capture moments.
Favorite Poetic Lines Share famous or favorite lines from poems and discuss what they might mean or why they stand out.
What Makes a Poem Special? Explore elements of poetry like rhyme, rhythm, imagery, and metaphor, using kid-friendly examples.
How Do Poets See the World? Discuss how poets observe everyday things in unique ways and challenge students to do the same.
Types of Poems- Talk about different types of poems (e.g., haikus, limericks, free verse) and their characteristics.
Feelings in Poetry- Discuss how poetry can express emotions and ask students to share how certain poems make them feel.
Poetry in Songs- Explore how song lyrics are often poetry set to music. Students can share lines from their favorite songs.
The Power of Words- Discuss how poets use precise words to create strong images or emotions and how students can do the same.
Where Can We Find Poetry? Encourage students to identify places they might encounter poetry (e.g., books, music, advertisements) in daily life.

Poetry Classroom Activities

Poetry Writing Prompts- Provide students with fun prompts such as “If I were a cloud…” or “My favorite sound is…” to spark creativity.
Acrostic Poems- Students write acrostic poems using their names, seasons, or a theme like “SPRING” or “POETRY.”
Poetry Performance Day- Host a “Poetry Slam” where students read their favorite poems or perform their original works for the class.
Found Poetry- Provide magazines, newspapers, or books for students to cut out words or phrases and arrange them into a poem.
Sensory Poems- Encourage students to write poems using their five senses (e.g., “What does spring look, smell, sound, feel, and taste like?”).
Haiku Garden- Teach students how to write haikus and create a “garden” of their poems on a bulletin board with illustrated flowers or trees.
Poetry Walk- Take a nature walk and have students jot down observations that can inspire a poem.
Poet of the Week- Highlight a famous poet each week (e.g., Shel Silverstein, Langston Hughes). Read their poems and discuss their styles.
Class Poetry Book- Compile all the students’ poems into a book to share with parents or display in the library.
Shape Poems- Students write poems in the shape of objects (e.g., a star, tree, or heart) that relate to the theme of their poem.
Poetry Station Rotation- Set up stations with activities like “rhyme practice,” “word painting,” or “imagery brainstorming.”

Poetry Games & Craft Ideas

Poetry Scavenger Hunt- Hide lines of a poem around the classroom. Students find and arrange them in the correct order.
Poetry Collage- Combine art and poetry by having students illustrate their poems or create visual representations of famous poems.
Rhyme Time Game- Play a game where students take turns coming up with rhymes for a given word or line.

Best Poetry Books for the Classroom

Spring Classroom Theme

Spring begins at the end of March and so April is the perfect time of year to introduce a spring classroom theme with spring related discussions and classroom activities. Check out some to the best April classroom themes for spring below.

Spring Theme Classroom Discussion Ideas

What Happens in Spring? Discuss changes in the environment, such as blooming flowers, warmer weather, and longer daylight hours.
Why Do Plants Grow in Spring? Talk about the role of sunlight, rain, and warmer temperatures in helping plants grow.
How Do Animals Celebrate Spring? Discuss how animals change behaviors in spring, such as laying eggs, having babies, or migrating.
Favorite Spring Activities- Ask students to share their favorite things to do in spring and discuss what makes the season special to them.
Spring Holidays Around the World- Explore cultural celebrations related to spring, like Easter, Holi, or Earth Day.
April Showers- Discuss how rain helps plants, animals, and people and what might happen if there’s too much or too little rain.
What Would Happen Without Spring? Encourage students to think creatively about how the world would be different without the spring season.
Signs of Spring- Ask students to brainstorm or share observations of what they see, hear, or smell that signals spring is here.
What Are the Seasons? Review the four seasons and their characteristics, emphasizing the transition from winter to spring.
How Can We Protect Nature in Spring? Discuss ways students can help the environment in spring, such as planting trees and conserving water.

Spring Books for the Classroom

Spring Themed Learning Activities

Plant Life Cycle Exploration- Teach students about life cycles of plants by planting seeds (like sunflowers or beans) and observing their growth over time.
Weather Experiments- Conduct simple experiments about spring weather, such as making a rain gauge to measure rainfall or demonstrating how clouds form using shaving cream and water.
Spring Nature Walk- Take students on a walk to observe signs of spring, such as budding trees, flowers, or insects. Provide them with a checklist or journal to record their findings.
Insect Investigation- Teach about insects like bees, butterflies, and ladybugs. Use magnifying glasses to observe bugs outside and discuss their role in pollination.
Egg Science Experiments- Explore science with egg-related experiments, such as testing strength with raw eggs or demonstrating how to dissolve an eggshell with vinegar.
Spring Poetry Writing- Encourage students to write poems inspired by spring using sensory details about flowers, rain, or sunshine.
Seasonal Sorting Activity- Provide images of objects and activities associated with different seasons and have students sort them into categories.
Spring Math Activities- Use spring-themed word problems or create graphs about the class’s favorite spring activities or flowers.
Animal Adaptations in Spring- Discuss how animals prepare for and adapt to spring, such as returning migratory birds or hibernating animals waking up.
Spring Cleaning for a Cause- Organize a mini “clean-up” day where students pick up litter around the school to make the environment cleaner and greener.

Spring Crafts

Spring-Themed Art Projects- Have students create springtime crafts like flower collages, paper butterflies, or rainbows using colorful materials.
Create a Bird Feeder- Use recycled materials like milk cartons or pinecones to make bird feeders. Discuss why birds might need extra food in spring.
Butterfly Life Cycle Craft- Here’s an idea that ties in several of your April classroom themes. Use pasta (e.g., rotini, shell, and bowtie shapes) to represent the stages of a butterfly’s life cycle, from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly.
Rain Art- Create watercolor paintings, then spritz them with water to make “rainy” effects.

Pond Classroom Theme Idea

April is the perfect time to introduce a pond theme in your classroom. Let’s check out some different ways to teach students all about ponds this month.

Pond Classroom Discussion Ideas

What Lives in a Pond? Brainstorm and list plants, animals, and microorganisms commonly found in ponds.
Why Are Ponds Important? Discuss the role of ponds in providing habitats, storing water, and supporting biodiversity.
How Do Animals Use the Pond? Explore how frogs, fish, birds, and insects rely on ponds for food, shelter, and reproduction.
What Would Happen if a Pond Disappeared? Talk about how the loss of a pond might affect the local ecosystem and the animals that depend on it.
How Are Ponds Different from Lakes or Rivers? Compare and contrast ponds with other water bodies to highlight their unique features.
What’s a Food Chain in a Pond? Discuss how plants, herbivores, and predators interact in a pond ecosystem.
How Do Seasons Affect Ponds? Talk about how pond life changes during different seasons, such as frozen water in winter or increased activity in spring.
What Can Harm a Pond? Discuss threats to ponds, such as pollution, invasive species, or habitat destruction, and what people can do to protect them.
If You Were a Pond Animal… Ask students to imagine being a pond animal and describe what their daily life might be like.
How Can We Learn from Ponds? Encourage students to share what ponds teach us about nature, balance, and taking care of the environment.

Pond Themed Learning Activities

Pond Habitat Diorama- Have students create a diorama of a pond habitat using shoeboxes and craft materials, including animals, plants, and water features.
Pond Life Observation- If feasible, visit a local pond and let students observe plants, animals, and insects. Provide magnifying glasses and notebooks for sketching and note-taking.
Create a Food Chain- Teach about the pond food chain (e.g., algae → insects → frogs → herons) and have students make a visual diagram or chain using paper cutouts.
Pond Water Experiment- Bring pond water into the classroom and examine it under a microscope to observe microorganisms. Discuss their role in the pond ecosystem.
Frog Life Cycle Study- You can easily tie in a couple of April classroom themes both ponds and frogs. Teach about frog life cycles using pictures, videos, or crafts. Have students create a wheel showing the stages from egg to adult frog.
Pond Poetry- Here’s the perfect way to tie in poetry month as well. Encourage students to write poems about pond life, describing its sounds, sights, and inhabitants.
Pond-Themed Math Problems- Use pond-related word problems, such as counting frogs, estimating the number of lily pads, or graphing the types of pond animals.
Animal Movement Mimicry- Have students mimic the movements of pond animals (e.g., hopping like frogs, gliding like ducks, or crawling like turtles) in a fun, active game.
Songs About Ponds- Teach songs like “Five Little Speckled Frogs” or create a class song about pond life.
Pond Critical Thinking Activity- Pose a scenario like “Pollution is entering a pond—how can we help?” and let students brainstorm solutions.

Pond Classroom Crafts & Games

Pond-Themed Art- Let students create paintings, collages, or 3D models of a pond scene, including lily pads, ducks, frogs, and dragonflies.
Build a Mini-Pond- Create a small, artificial pond in a clear container with water, rocks, and plastic models of pond animals. Discuss how the components interact.
Interactive Pond Habitat Game- Use an online interactive simulation or board game where students build and maintain a healthy pond ecosystem.
Make a Pond Mural- Create a large class mural featuring different plants and animals found in a pond, with each student contributing.

Pond Story Time

Here are some great books you can read your class about ponds.

Frog Theme Elementary Classroom Ideas

Frog Classroom Discussion Ideas

What is a Frog? Discuss how frogs are amphibians and explain what makes amphibians unique.
Why Are Frogs Important? Talk about frogs’ roles in ecosystems as both predators (eating insects) and prey (for birds, snakes, etc.).
How Do Frogs Protect Themselves? Discuss frog adaptations like camouflage, toxic skin, or leaping ability.
What’s the Difference Between Frogs and Toads? Compare and contrast frogs and toads in terms of appearance, habitat, and behavior.
What’s the Frog Life Cycle? Discuss the stages of a frog’s life, from egg to adult. Ask students why each stage is important.
Why Do Frogs Need Water? Talk about why frogs live near water and how they use it for laying eggs, staying moist, and escaping predators.
What Would Happen Without Frogs? Explore the impact of frogs disappearing due to pollution, habitat loss, or climate change.
How Do Frogs Help Humans? Discuss how frogs help control insect populations and their contributions to medicine and science.
What Makes Frogs Unique? Talk about interesting frog traits, such as their sticky tongues, ability to breathe through their skin, and wide range of vocalizations.
What Can We Do to Help Frogs? Discuss actions students can take to protect frogs, like reducing pollution, avoiding pesticides, and conserving water.

The Best Frog Books

Here are some fun classroom books about frogs.

Frog Learning Activities

Pond Habitat Diorama- Have students create a pond habitat in a shoebox, including frogs, lily pads, and other pond life.
Interactive Frog Anatomy- Use diagrams or interactive apps to explore the parts of a frog. Students can label and color a frog anatomy worksheet.
Frog Jump Measurement Activity- Measure how far students can jump compared to how far different frog species can leap. Turn it into a math activity by graphing the results.
Frog Camouflage Experiment- Provide colored paper and cut-out frog shapes. Hide the “frogs” around the classroom and discuss how camouflage helps frogs survive.
Frog Puppet Show- Have students create frog puppets and act out stories about frogs, focusing on their life cycle, predators, or environmental challenges.
Nature Walk: Frog Calls- If possible, take students outside to listen for frog calls or play recordings in the classroom. Discuss why frogs call and how they communicate.
Build a Frog-Friendly Environment- Design a mini “frog haven” in the classroom with plants, water, and rocks. Use it to discuss the needs of frogs in the wild.
Frogs Around the World- Research and present unique frog species from different parts of the world, like the poison dart frog or the glass frog.

Frog Classroom Games & Craft Ideas

Frog Lifecycle Bingo- Create bingo cards with stages of the frog lifecycle or related vocabulary words for a fun and educational game.
Leap Like a Frog Game- Organize a relay race where students leap like frogs to a finish line. Use this to discuss how frogs move and why leaping is important for their survival.
Frog Songs and Rhymes- Teach songs like “Five Green and Speckled Frogs” and let students act out the lyrics. Discuss the habitat and behavior of frogs mentioned in the song.
Frog Facts Scavenger Hunt- Create a scavenger hunt with frog facts posted around the room. Students find and write down answers to frog-related questions.
Frog Life Cycle Crafts- Create a visual representation of frog life cycles using pasta shapes, paper cutouts, or clay.
- Eggs: Small round beads or lima beans.
- Tadpoles: Spiral pasta or paper ovals.
- Froglets and Frogs: Small plastic models or drawings.
Origami Frogs- Teach students to make paper frogs and challenge them to see whose frog can “hop” the farthest.

Insect and Butterfly Classroom Theme

April is the perfect month to introduce students to an insect and butterfly theme in your classroom. Check out some ideas for class discussions and insect and butterfly classroom activities below.

Insect and Butterfly Classroom Discussions

What Makes an Insect an Insect? Discuss the key characteristics of insects, such as three body parts (head, thorax, abdomen), six legs, and antennae.
Why Are Butterflies and Insects Important? Explore their role in pollination, decomposition, and as part of the food chain.
How Do Butterflies Help Plants? Talk about pollination and how butterflies and bees help plants grow by spreading pollen.
What is the Butterfly Life Cycle? Discuss the transformation from egg to adult and the purpose of each stage.
What Insects Do You See Around You? Ask students to share their observations of insects in their neighborhood or schoolyard.
How Do Insects Protect Themselves? Explore insect defense mechanisms like camouflage, mimicry, stingers, and chemical sprays.
What If There Were No Insects? Talk about how ecosystems would be affected if insects disappeared.
How Are Butterflies Different from Moths? Compare features like wing shapes, antennae, and activity times.
What Do Insects Eat? Discuss the diets of various insects and how they find their food (e.g., nectar for butterflies, leaves for caterpillars).
How Can We Help Insects? Brainstorm ways to support insects, such as reducing pesticide use, planting flowers, or creating insect-friendly spaces.
Why Do Butterflies Migrate? Discuss monarch butterfly migration and how they travel thousands of miles to survive seasonal changes.
What’s Your Favorite Insect and Why? Encourage students to share their favorite insect and explain why they find it interesting.
How Do Insects Communicate? Talk about methods like buzzing, pheromones, and visual signals, such as fireflies lighting up.
Are All Insects Helpful? Discuss both the benefits of insects (pollination, breaking down waste) and the challenges they can present (crop pests, stings).
Do All Butterflies Look the Same? Explore the variety of butterfly species, colors, and patterns and what those features might mean for their survival.

Best Insect and Butterfly Books

Younger students will love these cute insect and butterfly books.

Butterfly and Insect Classroom Hands-on Activities

In this section let’s check out some learning activities for your April classroom themes that focus on insects, butterflies and life cycles.

Insect Observation Station- Set up a station with magnifying glasses and real (or model) insects. If possible, bring in butterfly larvae or a live ant farm for students to observe.
Insect Sorting Activity- Provide pictures or models of insects and non-insects (e.g., spiders, worms). Students sort them and discuss what makes an insect an insect (e.g., three body parts, six legs).
Build a Butterfly Feeder- Make a simple butterfly feeder using sugar water, sponges, and a shallow dish. Discuss the role of butterflies in pollination.
Create a Pollinator Garden- Plant flowers that attract butterflies and bees. Students can help plan, plant, and maintain the garden while learning about pollination.
Butterfly Migration Map- Track the migration of monarch butterflies on a map and discuss their long journey.
Insect Anatomy Labeling- Provide diagrams of a butterfly or insect for students to label body parts (head, thorax, abdomen, wings, antennae).
Lifecycle Journals- If raising butterflies or observing insects, have students record daily observations in a journal, noting changes and behavior.
Insect Classification Chart- Introduce the concept of insect orders (e.g., beetles, flies, butterflies) and have students classify insect images into groups.

Insect & Butterfly Games Crafts

Butterfly Life Cycle Craft- Use materials like pasta (rotini for caterpillars, bowties for butterflies) or paper to create model butterfly life cycles: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult butterfly.
Symmetry Art with Butterflies- Have students paint one side of a paper butterfly, fold it in half, and press to create symmetrical wings.
Origami Butterflies- Teach students to fold paper into butterfly shapes, then decorate them with patterns.

Insect & Butterfly Classroom Games

Bug Bingo- Create bingo cards featuring different types of insects and their characteristics. Use it as a fun way to identify and learn about bugs.
Insect Role-Play Game- Assign students roles as different insects. Act out how they move, eat, or communicate (e.g., wiggling like a caterpillar or buzzing like a bee).
Bug Movement Races- Host a movement game where students mimic insect movements, like flying, crawling, or hopping.

Easter Theme Ideas

April is the month of Easter let’s check out some Easter themed classroom ideas. You can also use these ideas for a rabbit or egg classroom theme as well.

Easter and Rabbit Classroom Discussion

Now let’s check out some classroom discussion ideas for your April classroom themes that involve Easter, eggs, bunnies and spring.

What is Easter? Talk about the origins and traditions of Easter. Ensure to address it as both a cultural and, for some, a religious celebration.
What Symbols Represent Easter? Discuss common symbols like eggs, bunnies, and lilies, and what they represent (e.g., rebirth, new life).
How Do People Celebrate Easter? Discuss different ways Easter is celebrated around the world, including egg-rolling competitions, parades, and feasts.
What’s the Science of Egg Strength? Talk about why eggs are so strong despite their delicate shells.
How Are Easter and Spring Related? Explore how the themes of growth, new life, and nature tie into Easter traditions.
What Do Rabbits Eat? Talk about a rabbit’s diet and how it differs from other animals.
Why Do Rabbits Have Big Ears? Discuss how their ears help them hear predators and regulate their body temperature.
Where Do Rabbits Live? Explore the natural habitats of rabbits and how they adapt to different environments.
How Do Rabbits Protect Themselves? Discuss the adaptations rabbits have, such as speed, digging burrows, and camouflage.
What is the Difference Between Rabbits and Hares? Compare their physical features, behaviors, and habitats.

The Best Rabbit Classroom Books

Easter, Rabbit and Egg Theme Activities

Now let’s check out some activities for April classroom themes that involve Easter, eggs and bunnies.

Easter Egg Hunt with a Twist- Hide eggs filled with math problems, vocabulary words, or trivia questions. Students must solve or define the content in the eggs they find.
Rabbit Habitat Diorama- Build a shoebox habitat for rabbits, including grass, burrows, and food sources like carrots or clover.
Rabbit Math Problems- Use bunny-themed manipulatives (like cut-out rabbits or bunny erasers) for counting, addition, or subtraction exercises.
Rabbit Facts Research- Assign students to research fun facts about rabbits and present them to the class.
Egg and Spoon Race-Organize a classic egg-and-spoon race for fun physical activity. Use plastic eggs for safety.
Rabbit Movements Science Experiment- Discuss why rabbits hop and challenge students to mimic their movement. Measure and compare how far they can “hop.”
Egg Drop Challenge- Provide materials for students to design a contraption to protect an egg from breaking when dropped. Discuss gravity and engineering.
Spring and Easter Math-Use Easter-themed manipulatives, like jelly beans or plastic eggs, for counting, sorting, or simple addition/subtraction activities.
Easter Basket Writing Prompt-Ask students to write about what they would put in their dream Easter basket and why.
Sink or Float Egg Experiment- Test whether eggs sink or float in water, and then add salt to observe how density affects buoyancy.
Color Mixing with Egg Dye- Teach about primary and secondary colors by letting students experiment with dyeing eggs in mixed colors.
Easter-Themed Word Search or Crossword-Create a word puzzle with Easter-related vocabulary for students to solve.
Create Egg Maracas- Fill plastic eggs with beans or rice, tape them shut, and use them as musical instruments.

Easter Crafts

If you’re looking for some craft ideas for your April classroom themes that tie in Easter, eggs or rabbits then read on.

Easter Egg Decorating- Provide students with hard-boiled eggs, dye in vibrant colors, and markers to create their own colorful designs. Discuss patterns and colors. You could also use paper eggs for a no-mess activity.
Bunny Craft-Create bunny masks or headbands using construction paper, cotton balls, and pipe cleaners.
Create an Easter Mural-Collaboratively design a large mural with spring and Easter-themed elements, like flowers, eggs, and bunnies.
Design an Easter Card-Have students make cards for family, friends, or community members, incorporating spring colors and themes.
Plant Spring Flowers-Decorate small pots and plant seeds (e.g., tulips or daffodils) to connect Easter with spring growth.

Now you have some new ideas for April Classroom Themes. I hope you found some new activities and discussion that you will try in your class this year. Feel free to save this post to your Pinterest boards for future reference. To do that just click on any picture and then the P and choose your board.

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