How to Create Animated Google Classroom Headers in Canva

Today, we’re making animated Google Classroom headers in Canva so that when your students join your class, you are making the best first impression!

The Problem with Default Banners

Usually, when we want to change the banner on our class, we go to the top right-hand corner, click Customize, and look at the default options. Let’s be honest: they are a bit boring.

By animating your header, your classroom instantly looks so much better than the typical options we usually have. Best of all? You can do this entirely with a free Canva account.

Method 1: Creating a Custom Animated Header in Canva

Step 1: Set Up Your Canvas

1. Open Canva and go to the search bar.

2. Search for Google Classroom header.

3. You can choose a pre-made template, but for this tutorial, let’s start with a blank one.

Step 2: Add a Video Element

1. Go to the left-hand menu, click on Elements, and search for Videos.

2. Choose a video related to your subject (e.g., a spinning globe for geography, or something for technology).

3. A quick formatting tip: On a basic account, you cannot remove video backgrounds. While you could just stretch the video to fit, the header’s narrow dimensions aren’t really adequate for a full-size video.

4. Instead, go back to Elements and search for a Frame (like a neat little circle). Drag your video over the top of the frame until it slides inside.

Step 3: Shorten and Export as a GIF

Google Classroom accepts GIFs, which is the secret to making this work!

1. Before exporting, reduce the length of the video. A 14-second video is unnecessary; drop it to about 5 seconds.

2. Go to Share in the top right corner, then Download.

3. Under the file type dropdown, choose GIF (short clip, no sound).

4. Click Download.

Step 4: Upload to Google Classroom

1. Head back to your Google Classroom.

2. Click Customize, then Upload photo.

3. Select your newly downloaded GIF.

4. Click Done, then Save.

Now, when students join your classroom, they’ll see this awesome animated banner at the very top!

---

Method 2: Adding Animated Text to Your Design

Once you know how to export your design as a GIF, you can add anything you want to your original Canva creation.

1. Add some text to your Canva design (for example, “Science”).

2. Select the text and click Animate to apply a text animation effect.

3. Go back to Share > Download > GIF.

When you upload this new version, both your video element and your text will appear animated!

---

Method 3: The Quick Gifer.com Shortcut

Another fun way to make an animated Google Classroom header—without doing any designing—is to use a ready-made GIF.

1. Go straight to a website called Gifer.com.

2. Find a GIF that best represents your class (for example, a fun Leonardo DiCaprio reaction).

3. Click Download GIF.

4. Go to your Google Classroom header, click Customize, and Upload photo.

5. Select the GIF you just downloaded. Note: Google Classroom’s dimensions are a little limited, so just adjust the crop box to fit the best part of the image.

6. Click Done, then Save.

Just like that, you have an animated Leonardo DiCaprio welcoming students to your Google Classroom.