Why Brain Breaks?
"Short brain breaks during work time have been shown to have real benefits. They reduce stress, anxiety, and frustration. And they can help kids focus and be more productive. Brain breaks can also help kids learn to self-regulate and be more aware of when they're getting fed up or losing track of what they're doing." -understood.org
Brain Break Strategies
Brain Break Sticks |
Brain Break Bingo |
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Brain Break Sticks are a great way to quickly incorporate brain breaks into your day. Choose a random stick and have the class perform the brain break to increase class focus!
These ideas come from The Happy Teacher! |
Have students pick their favorite Brain Breaks and create a Bingo board. You can pair this with the Brain Break Sticks and have students "x" out the brain break as it is completed.
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1. Simon Says: It’s a classic and students love it!
2. Crab Walk around the Room: Put on a song and have students walk in the CRAB POSITION around the room. At some point, have students go in reverse. 3. Macarena: Teach students the hand movements for the old-school song! You can find the song for free on YouTube. 4. Ants Go Marching: Most kids know this children’s song. Play the song and let the kids march around the room at different speeds...Slow-motion march, fast march, etc. 5. Cupid Shuffle: This dance isn’t just fun at weddings! You can find the song and dance on YouTube. It may take students a few tries to learn it, but you will inevitably have a natural dancer in the group that can help other students learn. 6. Doodle Time: Give students some blank paper and markers and let them DOODLE and talk for five minutes. It sounds simple but students love to draw and doodle. 7. Dance Party: Turn on the radio and let students DANCE until the song ends. 8. Tic-Tac-Toe: Give students some blank paper to play tic-tac-toe with a friend. It’s a simple game that won’t cause a mess or a distraction for your neighbors! 9. 50 Jumping Jacks: Get students’ heart rates up with this QUICK physical exercise. 10. Bingo: Depending on time…the song OR the game! Click here for more ideas for Brain Break Sticks |
Scavenger Hunt
"This is a great way to get your students searching through the room while also getting some exercise! To play, give each student an index card (or multiple cards for large classes) and ask them to find something in the room that is on their card. For younger students, you can make things like “leaves” or “sidewalks” on the cards; older grades may need more specific items. For the scavenger hunt to work, you will need to walk around with your class and teach everyone about what they are looking for through this activity. If your school is on a semester system, have them race each other in their classes or have one grade compete against another!" -StudentCeneterWorld
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Brain Break Cards |
Brain Break Songs |
Wiggle Cards are a great way to mix up the Brain Breaks in the classroom! This free printable in helpful in a pinch to get students moving! Click here for the printable copy!
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Songs are a great way to get kids involved in a Brain Break! Click here to access a website full of songs that kids can sing for a Brain Break!
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Brain Breaks Videos
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Click Here for the best dance brain breaks!
Click here for Cosmic Kids Yoga!
PreK-2nd Brain Breaks
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Games for Brain Breaks
