In today’s post, I am sharing with you a carefully curated collection of engaging brain breaks for students. These brain break activities are designed to be both fun and educational, providing students with much-needed pauses from their academic routines. The importance of brain breaks is well-documented in research literature.
They are found to improve on-task behavior and physical activity (Broad et al., 2021), increase students’ daily physical activity (Bershwinger & Brusseau, 2013), improve attention and memory (Davies et al., 2011; Kao et al., 2017), enhance cognitive functioning (Pesce, 2009), and boost academic achievement (Castelli et al., 2007; Chu et al., 2016).
Integrating these short, dynamic activities into the classroom not only energizes students but also enhances their educational experience by breaking up monotony and refreshing their minds. This allows for better absorption of information and a healthier, more engaging learning environment.
Related: 10 Brain Breaks for Kids
Brain Breaks Activities for Students
Whether it’s a quick game, a physical exercise, or a creative challenge, these brain breaks can make a significant difference in the daily dynamics of your classroom.
Dance Party
Energize your classroom with a spontaneous dance party. Choose upbeat and positive music tracks, and let students express themselves through dance for a few minutes. You could even turn this into a mini-competition where students vote on the best or most original dance moves.
Simon Says
Refresh the classic game of Simon Says by integrating curriculum-related actions, like “Simon says, act like a plant undergoing photosynthesis” or “Simon says, show me how you solve an equation.” This not only makes it fun but also subtly reinforces learning.
Yoga
Introduce simple yoga poses that can be done next to desks or in a small space. Poses such as the Warrior, Tree, or seated twists can help students relax and refocus. Occasionally, you might lead a themed session that aligns with stories or topics students are learning about, like “Yoga in the Rainforest” or “Astronaut Training Yoga.”
Mindful Moments
Guide students through short, guided meditation sessions focusing on deep breathing and visualization. For instance, students can visualize a calm place, like a beach or forest, and focus on the sensory details of the environment to enhance mindfulness and reduce stress.
Quiet Coordination
Play a game of silent ball where students must pass a soft ball to each other without making a sound. If someone makes a noise or drops the ball, they do a quick fun activity, like five jumping jacks, before rejoining the game. This encourages focus and teamwork without the chaos of noise.
Related: 10 Awesome Brain Breaks for Middle School
Dynamic Stretch Break
Lead students through a series of stretches to help release muscle tension and improve flexibility. Include stretches for the neck, shoulders, arms, back, and legs. Occasionally, turn this into a story-based activity where each stretch is part of an adventure story you narrate.
Jump and Count
Turn jumping into a learning challenge. Have students count forwards and backwards or in multiples as they jump. This can be adapted for any age by changing the complexity of what they have to count. For example, you might have younger students count by ones while older students count by fractions or negative numbers.
Five Senses Exercise
Encourage students to ground themselves through their five senses. Ask them to identify and focus on something they can see, touch, hear, smell, and taste (if applicable). This exercise helps bring their awareness to the present moment and calms their minds.
Creative Sculpting
Provide students with playdough and challenge them to create models related to what they’re learning. For example, if the lesson is on ecosystems, they might sculpt animals or plants. This tactile activity promotes creativity and focus.
Classroom Scavenger Hunt
Develop a list of items for students to find around the classroom. These items can be subtly educational, like finding something that starts with a certain letter or something blue to reinforce learning colors.
Keep It Up
Challenge students to keep a balloon from touching the ground using only their breath or gentle taps. This can be made competitive with teams or cooperative where the whole class works together.
Quick Puzzles
Introduce short, brain-teasing puzzles or riddles as a mental break. These could involve wordplay, simple math problems, or visual puzzles, providing a stimulating diversion from routine classwork.
Balloon Breaths
Teach students to breathe deeply using their diaphragm by imagining they are inflating a balloon in their belly. Have them place hands on their stomachs to feel the rise and fall with each breath, promoting relaxation and focus.
Musical Reflections
Play different genres of music and ask students to write or draw how the music makes them feel. This not only serves as a break but also enhances emotional literacy and appreciation for music.
Pattern Coloring
Provide coloring sheets with intricate patterns or thematic designs related to current lessons. Coloring is a calming activity that improves concentration and fine motor skills.
Math Line Up
Create a fun way for students to line up by giving them a math problem related to their number in line. For example, “Line up in order of your birth month,” or “Line up by even and odd birth dates.” This not only gets them moving but also incorporates a quick math exercise.
Would You Rather?
Pose thought-provoking questions that align with your curriculum. For example, “Would you rather explore the ocean depths or the surface of Mars?” This encourages critical thinking and lets students express their preferences and reasoning.
Movement Mimicry
Use songs that include instructions for movements, such as “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” for younger students, or more complex routines for older students. These songs enhance listening skills and physical coordination.
Animal Role-Play
Have students mimic the movements and sounds of different animals, which can be related to a story read in class or a topic being studied. This activity is great for physical activity and can also be a fun way to review animal characteristics.
Question Ball
Toss a ball around the classroom where each catch comes with a question either from the teacher or written on the ball itself. This could be related to the lesson or general knowledge questions to refresh their memory on various subjects.
Silent Time
Set a timer for 1-2 minutes where students are to sit silently, doing nothing. This break is surprisingly challenging and serves as a mental reset, giving students a moment of complete relaxation amidst a busy day.
Balance Challenge
Use an exercise ball to do gentle balance exercises. Students can try sitting on the ball while answering questions or gently bouncing on it. This can improve core strength and balance while also providing a fun variation to the usual seating.
Related; Mindfulness Activities for Kids
Final thoughts
I hope you’ve found these brain break ideas helpful and inspiring. Incorporating them into your classroom routine can significantly enhance students’ focus, productivity, and overall well-being. Whether you choose a quick physical activity, a creative challenge, or a calming mindfulness exercise, each brain break is a step towards a more engaging and effective learning environment. Try introducing these activities gradually and observe the positive changes they bring to your students’ school day. Remember, a well-timed break can be the key to unlocking a student’s full potential in the classroom.
References
- Broad, A. A., Bornath, D. P. D., Grisebach, D., McCarthy, S. F., Bryden, P. J., Robertson-Wilson, J., & Hazell, T. J. (2023). Classroom Activity Breaks Improve On-Task Behavior and Physical Activity Levels Regardless of Time of Day. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 94(2), 331–343. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2021.1980189
- Bershwinger T, Brusseau TA. The Impact of Classroom Activity Breaks on the School-Day Physical Activity of Rural Children. Int J Exerc Sci. 2013 Apr 15;6(2):134-143. PMID: 27293498; PMCID: PMC4882465.
- Carlson, J. A., Engelberg, J. K., Cain, K. L., Conway, T. L., Mignano, A. M., Bonilla, E. A., Geremia, C., & Sallis, J. F. (2015). Implementing classroom physical activity breaks: Associations with student physical activity and classroom behavior. Preventive Medicine, 81, 67–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.08.006
- Chu, C., Chen, F., Pontifex, M. B., Sun, Y., & Chang, Y. (2016). Health-related physical fitness, academic achievement, and neuroelectric measures in children and adolescents. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17(2), 117. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2016.1223420
- Davies, C. L., Tomporowski, P. D., McDowell, J. E., Austin, B. P., Miller, P. H., Yanasak, N. E., Allison, J. D., & Naglieri, J. A. (2011). Exercise improves executive function and achievement and alters brain activation in overweight children: A randomized, controlled trial. Health Psychology, 30(1), 91–98. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021766
- Kao, S. C., Westfall, D. R., Parks, A. C., Pontifex, M. B., & Hillman, C. H. (2017). Muscular and aerobic fitness, working memory, and academic achievement in children. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 49(3), 500–508. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000001132
- Pesce, C., Crova, C., Cereatti, L., Casella, R., & Bellucci, M. (2009). Physical activity and mental performance in preadolescents: Effects of acute exercise on free-recall memory. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 2(1), 16–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2009.02.001
