Brain Breaks For Kids | Student Brain Breaks

Brain Breaks For Kids | Student Brain Breaks

Brain breaks are a fun integral part of building a fun, dynamic, engaged and intrinsically motivated classroom of kids. Kids need a brain break at least once an hour to stimulate active learning and encourage focused engagement. Musical brain breaks are a quick and potent form of brain break that gives you and your students the added bonus of stimulating long and short-term memory (Real Brain Chemistry that Improves Memory and Focus)!

10 amazing brain breaks for kids

Brain breaks are short, energizing activities that can help children refocus, re-energize, and build social-emotional skills (SEL). Here are 10 fun and engaging brain break ideas for kids:

1. **Emotion Charades**:

   - How to Play: Children take turns acting out different emotions (happy, sad, angry, surprised, etc.) without speaking, while others guess the emotion.

   - SEL Focus: Recognizing and expressing emotions.

2. **Gratitude Circle**:

   - How to Play: Sit in a circle and take turns sharing something you're grateful for that day.

   - SEL Focus: Fostering gratitude and positive thinking.

3. **Mirror, Mirror**:

   - How to Play: Find a partner. One person leads while the other mirrors their movements. Then switch roles.

   - SEL Focus: Cooperation, communication, and empathy.

4. **Feelings Bingo**:

   - How to Play: Create bingo cards with different emotions. Call out scenarios and ask children to mark the emotion they think corresponds.

   - SEL Focus: Identifying and understanding emotions.

5. **Positive Affirmations**:

   - How to Play: Have children stand in a circle and take turns giving a positive affirmation to the person on their right.

   - SEL Focus: Boosting self-esteem and building positive relationships.

6. **Story Stones**:

   - How to Play: Place a bunch of story stones (decorated stones with pictures or words) in a bag. Each child takes turns pulling one out and incorporating it into a story.

   - SEL Focus: Creativity, imagination, and storytelling.

7. **Yoga or Mindful Breathing**:

   - How to Play: Lead a short yoga session or guide children through a mindful breathing exercise.

   - SEL Focus: Self-regulation, mindfulness, and relaxation.

8. **Team Building Games**:

   - How to Play: Engage in cooperative games like the Human Knot, where children stand in a circle, grab hands with two people across from them, and work together to untangle themselves.

   - SEL Focus: Collaboration, teamwork, and problem-solving.

9. **Compliment Chain**:

   - How to Play: Children stand in a circle. One person gives a compliment to the person on their right. Continue until everyone has given and received a compliment.

   - SEL Focus: Building positive relationships and boosting self-esteem.

10. **Nature Scavenger Hunt**:

    - How to Play: Go outside and give children a list of things to find in nature (e.g., a pinecone, a yellow leaf, a smooth stone).

    - SEL Focus: Appreciation for nature and observation skills.

Remember to adjust the activities based on the age and preferences of the children. These brain breaks not only provide a break from regular activities but also promote social-emotional learning in a fun and engaging way.

The songs below are my classroom's favorite Dance Party Breaks!

Everybody get up, it's time for a Dance Party! 

Moodlight.org is a free online Disco Strobe for your Smartboard!