Apple will bring two limited-edition Activity challenges to Apple Watch this month, giving users a reason to get moving in the final stretch of April, the iPhone giant said. The occasions are Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, and International Dance Day on Wednesday, April 29.
2 new April Apple Watch Activity challenges
Apple has a well-established rhythm of offering these limited-time challenges throughout the year to keep users engaged with their fitness goals via Apple Watch. Earlier this year, for example, there was a “Ring in the New Year” challenge to encourage healthy habits as 2026 kicked off. The Earth Day and Dance Day challenges follow the same formula: a low barrier to entry, a specific window to complete them and a collectible reward to show for it.
Earth Day: Any workout will do
To complete the Earth Day challenge, Apple Watch owners will need to record a workout lasting 30 minutes or longer using the Workout app. Or they can use any third-party app that writes workouts to the Health app. The challenge is deliberately flexible. A brisk walk, a run, a cycling session or a yoga class all count. So there’s no excuse not to get out there and move for the planet.
Apple Watch owners who earn the award will unlock a dedicated badge in the Fitness+ app, as well as a series of animated stickers that can be used in the Messages and FaceTime apps. If you want to make the most of the spirit of the day, getting outside for your workout is a natural fit. But it’s not a requirement.
International Dance Day: Time to bust a move
Photo: Apple
The Dance Day challenge requires completing a Dance workout of at least 20 minutes on April 29. You can record it with the Workout app or any app that adds workouts to Health. The Dance workout type is one that many Apple Watch users may not have explored before. So the challenge is a fun nudge to try something new. Whether you prefer Zumba, ballroom, hip-hop or simply freestyle dancing in your living room, it all qualifies.
Like the Earth Day challenge, completing International Dance Day will earn you a badge in the Fitness app along with exclusive animated stickers for Messages and FaceTime.
April Apple Watch Activity challenges: How to make sure you don’t miss out
The Activity challenges will be displayed as notifications on Apple Watch in the days leading up to each event. So you should get a reminder automatically. That said, it’s worth marking both dates in your calendar now. The challenges are only available on the day itself, so there’s no catching up if you miss them.
Mark your calendar, lace up your shoes and — for one day at least — consider learning a dance move or two.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
