Superheroes like Superman and Batman first featured in children’s comics at the end of the 1930s. They seem very modern but they have lots of similarities to mythical heroes, for example the Greek hero Heracles was extremely strong.
A superhero has super powers that gives them an advantage over other humans. Whether they can control the weather, like Storm in X-Men, or make people tell the truth, like Wonder Woman, they have to choose how they will use these powers to help people.
Teach your children about superheroes using our handy topic guide!
Teaching Ideas
- Use these superhero-themed activities and resources as part of your students’ transition from one class to another.
- Use Michael Rosen’s fabulous book Send for a Superhero as the starting point for learning in your classroom with these teaching ideas and activities.
- Read this exciting adventure about Supertato with your children and try some of our suggested teaching ideas and classroom activities!
- Create a superhero super powers display board similar to this one.
- Try this superhero lesson from Minecraft Education.
- Plan an interview with a superhero. What kind of questions would you ask them? How would you find out about their life? In pairs, act out the interview.
- Investigate the science behind superheroes with these presentations and resources.
Resources
- What happens in this superhero’s adventure? Try this free writing prompt!
- Reward your children with this free ‘You’re a Superhero’ certificate!
- Here are two superhero-themed sheets for your children to use during their Maths activities.
- Can your children create character profiles for these superhero characters?
- Can your children design a new gadget for a superhero? Ask them to draw or write about their design on this template.
- This page has lots of ideas for superhero-themed science experiments.
Superhero Facts
- Superman first appeared in a comic in 1938. The comic, Action Comics #1, is very rare, and in 2014 a copy was sold on eBay for $3.2 million!
- There are two types of superhero; those that have superhuman powers (like Spiderman) and those who have special training and technology (like Iron Man).
- The first female superheroes, Fantomah and the Woman in Red, both first appeared in comics in 1940.
Videos
Alphabet Superheroes
Younger children will enjoy learning the alphabet with their favourite superheroes.
Running time: 3:48
Batman Teaches Robin the Three Times Table!
A fun way to practise your 3x table with Batman and Robin.
Running time: 2:21
Count to 100 with Spiderman
Practise counting up to 100 by singing along with Spiderman!
Running time: 3:49
Books
Supertato
Supertato is always there for you when the chips are down…
Juniper Jupiter
Juniper is a superhero, and she needs a sidekick. Will she ever find the perfect one?
Newspaper Boy and Origami Girl
When bullies steal a newspaper boy’s money, the newspapers transform in Origami Girl.
5-Minute Marvel Stories
Some fantastic quick reads about your favourite Marvel characters.
Superhero Hotel
Even superheroes need a holiday The trouble is, superheroes don’t like having nothing to do.
How to Save a Superhero
A comic-book baddie steals one of Albie’s toys, how will he get it back?
Count the Superheroes!
A fun puzzle picture book for the under-fives.
Links
- Visit the British Council Superheroes page for activities and games about superheroes.
- Create your own superheroes at MarvelHQ.
- Make your own comic strip on this site.
- Learn all about different characters using this superhero database.
- Practise KS1 English skills with the Small Town Superheroes from the BBC.
Are you teaching your children about other topics? Explore our full collection of guides!
