BRAIN BREAKS!

A lot of experienced authors have written books about “brain breaks.”  Brain breaks are short reprieves from learning where students GET UP and have a little fun!  All students (and teachers) can benefit from incorporating brain breaks into their classroom.  However, when you are on the spot, it's sometimes hard to think up a fun activity that will give students’ brains a break and help them refocus their energy and efforts. 

I found these cute, colorful craft sticks the other day.  I had no idea what I was going to use them for, but I knew I had to buy them!! 

Cute craft sticks from Mardels
Later, I realized they would be perfect for BRAIN BREAKS.  I decided to write a different activity on each stick and put them in a cute cup.  Then, it would be easy to have a student reach in and choose a “brain break” when the class deserved one!   Here is a list of my brain breaks and a short description of each.

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!  J

9. 50 Jumping Jacks: Get students’ heart rates up with this QUICK physical exercise. 

10. Bingo: Depending on time…the song OR the game!

11. Heads Up, 7-Up: Another classic that is easy and exciting for students!

12. Cha-Cha Slide: Find the lyrics and dance moves on YouTube!

13. Stretching: Choose a student to come up and lead a minute of stretching.  All of the kiddos know various stretches from gym class, and they will enjoy leading their peers!

14. Congo Line: Turn the radio on and form a Congo line to move around the room.

15. Push-Up/Sit-Up: Have students pick a partner and let them count out each other’s push-ups and sit-ups.  Another great physical exercise for kids that will provide a break from learning and strengthen their muscles at the same time!

16. Pantomime: Choose a student to act out an activity WITHOUT talking.  The class must mimic the leader and then guess what the activity is.  (Swimming, flying, sleeping, laughing, jogging, singing, etc.)

17. Mirror-Mirror: Have students pair up and mirror the actions of their partner.  Students will get a kick out of this activity!

18.  Little Bunny Foo Foo: Here's a link to a video if you don't remember the lyrics.  Have kiddos act out the nursery rhyme.  

19.  Thumb Wrestling: Have students choose a partner and participate in some old-fashioned thumb wrestling.  Be sure to establish your expectations before this little brain break.  

20.  Rock, Paper, Scissors:  Let kiddos partner up for five rounds of Rock, Paper, Scissors.  The winners get a high five from their partner.  :)

21.  Sky Writing: Have kiddos sky write their ABCs, sight words, spelling words, or a secret message to their friend.  

22.  Air Band:  Choose an "air" instrument and "rock out!"  Drums, guitar, and saxophone are my personal favorites.

23.  Silent Yoga:  Strike a yoga pose and see how long your students can hold that pose.  Google "Kid Yoga" for some easy examples. 

I’m hoping to add more Brain Breaks!  Do you have a great idea?  If so, leave a comment and let me know!  I’d love to add it to my collection! 
A special thanks to my reader, Madisson, for some of these fun, new suggestions!!
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**A friend asked me to make printable Brain Break cards because she wanted to use them in her classroom right away and didn't have time to order the craft sticks seen above.  I created them in black and white and simply printed on BRIGHT colored paper!  I think they turned out super cute!**

You can download all 40 printable brain break cards HERE!!

 Store them on a metal ring or in a pencil box!  Easy to store & doesn't take up much space.

Easy on the printer but still super cute.  See some examples...

There are 40 brain breaks total...Some classics and some total original ones!  

I've provided you with an explanation for each.  :)

Hope you and your students have a blast with these Brain Breaks!