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40 Engaging Brain Break Activities for Elementary School Class

October 27, 2022 //  by Mary Aromolaran

Kids get tired while learning in school. This could lead to them being cranky or mischievous. Brain break activities for elementary kids give your class a much-needed break during a full school day. These activities may involve physical activity and ultimately boost their energy level. Here is an exhaustive list of my favorite brain break activities for elementary kids to help your students take a much-needed mental break while learning.

1. Ball Toss Game

This is an easy example of fun brain break activities for kids that get them all completely involved. Get them a ball and have them throw it among themselves and into bowls or buckets for points. It’s fun and could go on for hours. Here’s a video on how you could play.

Learn More: Unfold. - Creative EFL activities

2. Stretching Exercises

Get the kids to unwind with stretching time. Instruct them to stand and stretch their arms and legs or move their hips in opposite directions. This helps to boost their mental energy and keep them fit. Look at a video of some kids stretching.

Learn More: Cardio For Kids

3. Dancing Breaks

Have a brain-break dance party with your little students. Play a favorite tune among the kids and change up the dance moves. Try out the chicken dance, freeze dance, and others for a delightful time. Have a look at some dance routines for popular songs.

Learn More: MoveTube Network

4. Jumping Jacks

Kids need to exercise at regular intervals. Get them moving during breaks. They'll be happy to get some time to work out some of their excess energy. Do a set of 5 or 10 jumping jacks with them. Look at one of the exercise videos for kids.

Learn More: MusiGo Kids

5. Simon Says Game

This game hones the children’s listening skills. How? All the kids have to do is listen to “Simon” and do whatever he says. Get them moving and stun them with creative commands. There are great Simon Says videos online, here’s one.

Learn More:  Patty Shukla Kids TV - Children's songs

6. Copycat Game

In this game, you are increasing the children’s memorization skills. Pair them up or put them in a group and have them copy the lead person’s actions. It is very easy to follow, and you can watch a video here on how it is done.

Learn More: Family F.E.D., Family Fun Every Day

7. The Floor is Lava

Work with the kids to set up this game as a fun project. Get the kids to avoid labeled spots on the ground. These spots are imagined as hot lava, so the kids must find other ways to cross over to their destination. You can watch how this game is played.

Learn More: Tannerites

8. Hopscotch Game

A great way for the kids to unwind is hopscotch. It is a popular outdoor playground game played amongst kids. It is recommended to give the child a good workout. You can watch some moves here.

Learn More: British Council | LearnEnglish Kids

9. Jump Rope Time

You can have the kids do this individually or in groups. To make it even more fun, you can play some songs, which will aid with their memorization and motor skills. It is a fun game adored by kids and you can learn some skipping songs by checking out this video.

Learn More: Little Fox - Kids Songs and Stories

10. Swing Time

This is irresistible to any kid. They simply can’t say no to climbing on a swing. It's fun and allows for some blood to get pumped into the brain. You cannot go wrong with this great method for a brain break.

Learn More: The Kidsplainer

11. Biking Time

You can give your kids a little freedom by letting them ride their bicycles around. It gives them some fresh air and aids in their coordination and vision skills. You can also use skateboards, scooters, or roller skates to substitute for bicycles. Teach them how to ride one here.

Learn More: Family Fun Pack

12. Playing Tag

One other way to give the kids a break from sitting around all day is to have them run around trying to avoid getting tagged by the one who is “it”. Recharges their brains and re-energizes their muscles. You can watch this video of some kids playing tag.

Learn More: wikiHow

13. Animal Pretend

This is sure to be loved by the kids. Get them to walk like animals and play animal pretend. You can make it even more fun by putting on some music or having them do their animal actions in reverse. Watch how to here.

Learn More: Children First

14. Thumb Wrestling

This game goes back ages and is still a good choice for kids. Simply pair them up and have them wrestle each other with their thumbs. It’s a sure way to get them excited. You can teach them the rules of the game by using this video.

Learn More: Howcast

15. Push-ups or Sit-ups Workout

Simply partner up the kids and have them count for the other as they do some push-ups or sit-ups. They get to have some fun and build up their muscles as well. Teach them how to have active time for play during breaks.

Learn More: ActiveCambridge

16. Pantomime Games

In this fun game, you pick one of the children to act out an activity with just their body language and no words. The rest of the kids then have to guess what the activity is. It requires some brainstorming and gives the kids a few laughs as well.

Learn More: Vienna Sunday Cinema

17. Rock, Paper, Scissors

Even adults play this fun game. The kids battle it out to find out the true champion of rock, paper, and scissors. It helps increase their thinking abilities and their memorization skills. Learn the rules of the game here.

Learn More: Plaaaytime

18. Mindful Breathing Exercises

The age-old breathing techniques continue to gain traction in educational spaces. They have a lot of great benefits for the kids and double as a very strong SEL for kids of different ages. Watch this video to learn the various breathing techniques your kids can practice.

Learn More: The Mental Health Teacher

19. Yoga Practice

Yoga reduces anxiety and uneasiness while also strengthening the bodies and minds of those who practice it. Work with your kids in different yoga positions using these videos depicting yoga poses they can practice.

Learn More:  Learn & Shine with OVI

20. Senses Game

In this game, the kids will be exploring all five of their senses by engaging in this neural activity. This combines mindfulness with all five senses of the body, which include touch, taste, sight, hearing, and smell. Watch how you can get this game started in this video.

Learn More: Happy Learning with Suman

21. Arts & Crafts

With some coloring pens, crayons, drawing books, and construction paper you can let your kids go on a creative journey. Allow them to express themselves and make a controlled mess. Here are some great arts and crafts ideas for your kids to practice.

Learn More: Kids Art & Craft

22. Playdough Crafts

No child can resist playdough. Allow their creativity to take over by telling them to create absolutely anything they want. From a star to a castle, anything goes! Here’s a video for reference.

Learn More: Blippi Toys

23. Scavenger Hunt

This exciting game builds up the observational skills of the kids and gives their brains a good workout. You can simply ask the children to search for specific items and give them bonus points for every item identified and named. Watch some good scavenger hunt videos here.

Learn More: EverythingMom

24. Cup Towers Buildings

Let's get more hands-on with this activity. All the kids have to do is build a tower from nothing but cups. It’s a way for them to use their imagination and also hone their balancing skills. You can check out how to do it here.

Learn More: Dhillon family

25. Treasure Hunt

Get the kids moving around and using their brains to solve clues and riddles in this fun game. Provide clues to certain items and have the kids find the location of each item. It’s not that hard to set up and you can use this video here to set it up.

Learn More: 6th Gear Garage

26. Karaoke-Offs

You cannot mention fun activities without noting karaoke or sing-alongs. Pick a song that everyone loves and have the class sing along together. There are several options of great songs for you to pick online. This is an example of a karaoke session here.

Learn More:  Scott Nethery

27. Balance Walk Exercise

I've got fond memories of my friends and me prancing around the room with books on our heads and failing every time at this activity.  Get your class lively with this tasking activity and watch them enjoy themselves. Place a stack of books on their heads and tell them to walk without the books toppling. Sounds fun right?

Learn More: OrangeKidz Play School

28. Tongue Twisters

The kids can engage in a game of funny tongue twisters to get everyone laughing and relaxed. You can also use this game to test out their articulation skills. Watch some fun tongue twisters in this video.

Learn More: Easy English Boana

29. Joke Telling

You can take a break from a serious class session by telling a few jokes to the children. There are great knock-knock jokes for kids you can find online. Here’s a video with great jokes you can use.

Learn More: Funny Soup

30. Question Games

There are lots of question games you can play with the kids. For an interesting break, you could play "Would You Rather?", "This or That?" Or other exciting and interactive quizzes. Here are some examples.

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31. Lemonade Making

In this type of brain break activity for elementary kids, everyone has the chance to refresh as well as have the pleasure of learning a new skill. Making lemonade and setting up a stand for selling it will encourage budding entrepreneurs. Watch how to make lemonade in this video.

Learn More: The Stay At Home Chef

32. Truth or Dare Rounds

Kids can play silly games with their family or classmates. They're sure to make everyone laugh. A great way to let off classroom stress and socialize with their friends. Here are some examples.

Learn More: Applause New York

33. Brain Teasers

Refresh their young minds with teasers that'll keep them occupied. It is a way to hone their creativity as they try to think up answers to tricky questions. Here is a video showing good brain teasers for kids.

Learn More: MentalUP - Educational Games

34. Card Games

Kids enjoy playing and learning new card games. It’s a great choice for an idle brain break. They have the option of picking from a variety of options and if you want to keep things educational, you can throw in some math card games as well. Watch this video on card games for kids.

Learn More: Rulies

35. Atlas Viewing

This excellent example of a brain break activity for elementary school kids is an all-rounder. Not only is it fun, but it boosts memory skills and also teaches them a thing or two about geography. It’s a simple game, and you can learn how it’s played here.

Learn More: Sibling Stories

36. Sensory Bins Time

This activity provides relaxing time and might just be the kind of break the children need in order to regroup and focus afterward. A sensory bin provides for the child's sensory needs and increases their tactile skills. Watch a video of how it works.

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37. Foosball Game

A quick foosball game is always appealing to kids and adults alike. So, if you’re looking for a good brain break activity, don't overthink it. Just whip out your foosball table and let everyone enjoy a good time.

Learn More: Fun Stuff From Us

38. Tic Tac Toe Game

This evergreen game has been a kid favorite for a long time, and you can always rely on it to be a fun brain break activity for everyone. It’s easy and quick to play.

Learn More: How to KIDS!

39. Dots and Boxes Game

This is another classic game popular with kids. This easy paper game will get the children’s minds refreshed and relaxed. It’s not that hard to set up, and you can watch how to do so here.

Learn More: Jon Nethercott

40. Connect Four Game

Connect Four is just like tic-tac-toe, but rather than linking 3 in a row, they have to connect 4 in a row. If you don’t know how it’s played, watch this video.

Learn More: Triple S Games

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