Have you ever had one of those moments when your students are buzzing with energy, but you need them to refocus and get back on track? Well, I’ve been there too! Luckily, we have brain breaks to help our students get back on track! In this blog post, I’ll share 20 super simple brain break activities for upper elementary students that have been game-changers in my classroom. These activities aren’t just tools; they’re your secret allies for keeping your students engaged and loving every moment of their learning journey. Ready to add some spark to your teaching? Let’s dive in! π§ π‘
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Why are Brain Breaks important?
Before jumping into the fun part, let’s explore why brain breaks are so crucial. These short breaks give students a mental reset, allowing them to refocus and absorb information more effectively. They boost creativity, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. Plus, they’re a fantastic tool for building a positive classroom environment.
How To Set Up Brain Break Activities
Setting up brain breaks in your classroom is as easy as 1-2-3!
Here are some tips to get you started:
- Create a Brain Break Corner: Designate a specific area in your classroom for brain breaks. It could be a cozy corner with mats or a few comfy chairs.
- Schedule Breaks: Incorporate brain breaks into your daily schedule. For example, have a short break between subjects or whenever you sense your students need a breather.
- Use Choice Boards: To make it even more engaging, offer your students a choice of brain break activities. I have some exciting FREE choice boards you can download and use in your classroom!
Now, let’s explore 20 super simple brain break activities for upper elementary classrooms.
Brain Break Activities for Upper Elementary Classrooms
This comprehensive list of brain break activities has 20 super simple ideas you can easily implement in your classroom tomorrow! They are fun and valuable tools to enhance learning, boost engagement, and create a positive classroom environment. Incorporate them into your daily routine to keep your students excited about education while promoting their physical and mental well-being.
1: YouTube Exercise Videos for Kids
Engage your students in short, lively exercise routines from kid-friendly YouTube channels. These videos are a fantastic way to get their blood flowing, boost energy levels, and encourage physical activity while having fun.
2: ELA Go-Fish Games
Reinforce language arts concepts with a game of Go-Fish. This break break activity is perfect for the middle of an ELA lesson when students need a quick break.
3: Go Noodle
Dive into the world of interactive dance and movement videos with Go Noodle. Your students will love the opportunity to dance, jump, and stretch while you sneak in valuable brain breaks between lessons.
4: Coloring Pages
Let your students unleash their creativity with coloring pages. This relaxing activity helps improve focus and fine motor skills while providing a quiet moment for reflection.
5: Charades
Challenge your students’ acting skills with a game of charades. Not only is it fun, but it also enhances communication and encourages teamwork as they guess each other’s actions.
6: Yoga/Stretching/Mindfulness
Promote physical and mental well-being with yoga, stretching, or mindfulness exercises. These activities teach relaxation techniques, improve posture, and help students manage stress. Check out one of my favorite guided meditations for kids below!
7: Pictionary
Spice up your brain breaks with a game of Pictionary. Students can play this in small groups, or you can get the whole class involved and work together to guess each other’s drawings.
8: Directed Drawing
Guided drawing exercises provide step-by-step instructions for creating beautiful artwork. Students can follow along, boost their confidence in art, and develop patience. I love using Art for Kids Hub in my classroom. π
9: Trivia
Another great brain break activity that is also academic-focused is a quick game of trivia! This activity is an exciting way to review classroom topics and spark friendly competition. Try keeping Trivial Pursuit in your classroom to make this brain break super simple!
10: Freeze Dance Party
Let your students dance their hearts out, but with a twist – when the music stops, they freeze! This game not only gets them moving but also enhances listening skills.
11: Board Games
Classic board games like Scrabble or Chess are entertaining and promote critical thinking, strategy, and sportsmanship. Check out these other fun classroom games that you can purchase for your classroom:
12: Mad Libs
Encourage creativity and language skills with Mad Libs. Students fill in the blanks with nouns, verbs, and adjectives to create hilarious stories while reinforcing grammar concepts.
13: Scategories
Boost quick thinking and vocabulary with Scategories. Students race against the clock to come up with words that fit specific categories and letters.
14: Silent Ball
Develop concentration and coordination with Silent Ball. Students silently sit in a circle and pass a soft ball, challenging their focus and teamwork. This is an excellent activity to help reduce the noise level in your classroom.
15: Card Games
Engage students with card games like Uno or Go Fish. These games improve math skills, memory, and social interaction.
16: Minute to Win It Challenges
Add excitement to your brain breaks with one-minute challenges. Students can participate in fun and often hilarious challenges that test their dexterity and creativity.
Some classic challenges include:
- Paper Airplane
- Cup Stacking
- Ball Bouncing
- Post-It Note Tower
- Bottle Flip
17: Listen to Music
Offer students a moment to relax and enjoy music. Music has the power to uplift moods, relieve stress, and stimulate creativity. I like to get students to take turns selecting their favorite songs! Here are more ways to use music in your classroom.
18: Tongue Twisters
Have a laugh with tongue twisters. These wordplay exercises enhance pronunciation and language fluency while providing a good dose of humor.
19: Would You Rather aka This or That
Encourage quick decision-making with a game of Would You Rather. Some people also refer to it as “This or That.” Students must choose between two options, fostering critical thinking and debate skills. If you associate an action with “this” and “that,” the game will get students out of their seats and moving during the brain break.
I have a series of “Would You Rather” Videos on my YouTube channel. You can play them in your classroom OR use SafeTube to show them in your classroom. The range of topics fits different seasons throughout the school year.
20: Jigsaw Puzzles
Get students to work together to complete classroom jigsaw puzzles. Solving puzzles helps improve problem-solving skills and logical reasoning.
And there you have it, 20 super simple brain break activities that will keep your upper elementary students engaged, focused, and excited about learning.
Remember, brain breaks are not just breaks; they’re opportunities to make learning memorable and enjoyable. So, go ahead, incorporate these activities into your classroom routine, and watch your students thrive.
As a bonus, don’t forget to grab my FREE choice boards to offer your students a variety of brain break options.
Happy teaching, and may your classroom be filled with joy and enthusiasm!
