Additional Resources for Brain Breaks
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- Link: Resource 2
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- Link: Resource 4
Brain Breaks
Simon Says: It’s a classic and students love it!
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.
Macarena: Teach students the hand movements for the
old-school song! You can find the song for free on YouTube.
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.
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.
Dance Party: Turn on the radio and let students DANCE until
the song ends.
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
50 Jumping Jacks: Get students’ heart rates up with this
QUICK physical exercise.
Bingo: Depending on time…the song OR the game!
Heads Up, 7-Up: Another classic that is easy and exciting
for students!
Cha-Cha Slide: Find the lyrics and dance moves on YouTube!
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!
Congo Line: Turn the radio on and form a Congo line to move
around the room.
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!
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.)
Mirror-Mirror: Have students pair up and mirror the actions
of their partner. Students will get a kick out of this activity!
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.
Rock, Paper, Scissors: Let kiddos partner up for five rounds
of Rock, Paper, Scissors. The winners get a high five from their partner. :)
Ninja, Cowboy, Bear (Like rock, paper scissor- Ninja beats
Cowboy, Cowboy beats Bear, and Bear beats Ninja. Pair students, and have them
stand back to back, on the count of three the students turn. Example here: http://ninja-cowboy-bear.com/activities/games
Sky Writing: Have kiddos sky write their ABCs, sight words,
spelling words, or a secret message to their friend.
Air Band: Choose an "air" instrument and
"rock out!" Drums, guitar, and saxophone are my personal favorites.
Silent Yoga: Strike a yoga pose and see how long your
students can hold that pose. Google "Kid Yoga" for some easy
examples.
