How to Set Up a Movement Corner at Home or in the Classroom

A movement corner is a part of a room set up so that anyone can press play and start moving: a screen on the wall, sound you can feel, and a floor that's safe to jump on. In a classroom it becomes the place for brain breaks and indoor recess. At home it's the answer to "I'm bored" on a rainy afternoon.

You don't need a dedicated room or a big budget. Here's how to set one up step by step, starting with what you probably already have.

Step 1: Find the space

Measure before you buy anything. For run videos you need:

• About 2 × 2 m (6 × 6 ft) per runner for runs with jumps and side-steps.
• About 1.5 × 1.5 m (5 × 5 ft) for smaller-space runs such as Flying Car: Sky City, where you steer and lean on the spot.
• 2–3 m between the runners and the screen, so nobody steps into the TV.
• Ceiling height for jumps: check light fittings and ceiling fans.

In a classroom, the "corner" is often the front of the room with desks pushed back, or each student standing beside their own desk.

Step 2: The screen

Children need to read the signs from where they stand. A rough rule: the screen should be at least as wide as one-tenth of the distance to the furthest viewer. From 5 metres back, that's a picture about 50 cm wide — a 40-inch TV or larger.

Use what you have first. A classroom display, smart board or living-room TV is perfect.

No big screen? Use a projector. A budget 1080p mini projector throws a large picture on a plain wall. They need a dim room, so draw the blinds.

Plain wall or screen? Painted walls work, but a white projector screen gives a brighter, sharper picture, and a stand version packs away.

Getting YouTube onto it. If your TV or projector has no apps, a casting stick plugs into HDMI and runs YouTube. Check with school IT first — some networks block streaming devices.

Step 3: Sound

Sound matters more than people expect. In our runs, the beat tells you when to move, and the music changes when a level ends. Built-in TV and projector speakers are often too quiet for a room of moving children.

A portable Bluetooth speaker is the simplest fix. Place it at the front, facing the runners, at about head height. If moves feel a fraction late, use a cable instead of Bluetooth — some speakers add a small delay.

Step 4: The floor

Jumping and landing on hard floors gets uncomfortable quickly, especially for younger children and upstairs rooms.

• Carpet or a rug is fine for most runs — just check it doesn't slide.
• A thick exercise mat per runner marks each person's spot and softens landings.
• A folding gymnastics mat gives a bigger padded area for small groups, and folds against the wall afterwards.
• Avoid very soft mats for side-to-side moves; they can roll ankles. Do dodges on the floor around the mat.

Step 5: Make it easy to start

The best movement corner is the one that takes 10 seconds to use:

• Bookmark the library or a favourite run on the device.
• Keep a printed card with three runs by length: one short, one medium, one long.
• Leave water bottles and the remote in the same place every time.
• In class, give a student the job of "run leader" for the week.

A sample setup

Your first session

Start with a short run so everyone learns the signs: Steal the Egg takes about five minutes. When the group is ready for more, 8-Bit Egg Worlds runs through seven worlds in about eight minutes.

5:32 · 5 levels Video plays from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only after you press play.
Open on YouTube

Classroom vs home: what's different

In a classroom, the screen usually already exists, so spend on sound first. Space is tight, so pick runs where students stay beside their desks, and set a routine for chairs and bags. Check with IT before connecting any device to the school network.

At home, the TV is usually fine, so spend on the floor first: a mat or rug that doesn't slide, and a clear area away from the coffee table. Keep it simple enough that a child can start a run without asking for help.

Frequently asked questions

How much space do you need for a movement corner?

About 2 × 2 m (6 × 6 ft) per person for runs with jumps and side-steps, plus 2–3 m to the screen. Smaller runs fit in 1.5 × 1.5 m.

Is a projector good enough for a classroom movement corner?

Yes, if you can dim the room. Budget projectors look washed out in daylight. A white screen or a pale, smooth wall helps a lot.

Do I need special flooring?

No. Carpet or a non-slip rug is fine for most runs. Mats help on hard floors, in upstairs rooms and for younger children.

Can I set up a movement corner in a small apartment?

Yes. Choose small-space runs, replace jumps with toe-raises if you have neighbours below, and use a single exercise mat to mark your spot.