Brain breaks are a great way for students to take a few minutes for a break from the constant learning in the daily classroom. Giving students a few minutes to rest their minds and take a step away from the content can help them regain focus and prepare to tackle again the content ahead of them.
With the Christmas season in sight, these 25 fun and engaging brain breaks all work with the Christmas and holiday theme.
1. Boom Chicka Boom Christmas
Fun and interactive cartoon backgrounds and characters dance alongside real people. Students are encouraged to join in with singing and dancing! Reindeer, snowmen, and Santa are all part of the song and dance moves!
Learn more: The Learning Station - Kids Songs and Nursery Rhymes
2. The Grinch Run Brain Break
Filled with tons of different types of movements, this Grinch-themed brain break tells a shortened version of the Grinch's story. It shows the words for the different movements and has interactive components for students jumping through Christmas wreaths and ducking under helicopters driven by the Grinch. This one is sure to become a fast favorite!
Learn more: Matthew Wood
3. Elf on the Shelf Chase
Designed to take children through multiple levels, this Elf on the Shelf brain break is a lot of fun. Children really love the Elf on the Shelf and will enjoy following him through the snow-covered forest. Along the way, they will exercise and incorporate physical movements!
Learn more: Coach Corey Martin
4. Super Mario Winter Run
Set up just like the video game, this winter Iceland version of Super Mario includes components of the actual game. Students will run, dodge bad guys, jump into tunnels, and grab coins! There is even an underwater section that includes totally different movements, like skating or dodging.
Learn more: Matthew Wood
5. Find Gingerbread Man
This fun little hide-and-seek game is perfect for little ones. They have to watch the screen to see where the gingerbread man is hiding. He is quick so don't take your eyes off of him, even for a second!
Learn more: Fitness Hustle TV
6. Hot Potato Toss
Whether used for indoor recess or just as a quick brain break, these Christmas-themed bean bags are perfect! Santa, the elf, and a reindeer can be tons of fun when playing a unique Christmas version of hot potato.
Learn more: Teach 123
7. BINGO
Take a break from schoolwork with a fun game! This BINGO brain break is a great way to step away from the grind of assignments and enjoy a fun Christmas-themed game of BINGO.
Learn more: Teach 123 School
8. Santa Says...
Simon Says but with a twist! With this brain break, Santa calls the shots. He gives silly commands that you can try and that will get your body up and moving. From smelling your own feet to marching like a toy soldier, you are sure to have tons of fun with this one!
Learn more: Natural Beach Living
9. Winter Run
This video is sure to get students up and moving! Including jumps and ducks and a few times to freeze, this winter run is full of surprises! The goal is to collect the missing presents, but be careful not to be fooled into grabbing the coal instead.
Learn more: Elementary PE Games
10. Christmas Movement Response Game
This one is a little different! This is a would you rather game that includes presenting students with a scenario and they must choose. Would you rather...and then answer a question. But this is not typical, raise your hand response. Instead, students will perform a physical movement to show their response.
Learn more: Quizizz
11. Five Little Gingerbread Men
Complete with a storyline of five little gingerbread men who keep running away, this brain break is in a song format. Students can practice counting while enjoying the story, song, and dance!
Learn more: The Kiboomers - Kids Music Channel
12. Santa, Where are You?
This fun video is set to a familiar tune of a nursery rhyme. It has students looking for Santa and trying to find him! The fun and comic-type illustrations are a perfect complement to this video and song!
Learn more: Super Simple Songs - Kids Songs
13. Reindeer Pokey
The classic Hokey Pokey song is the basis of this Christmas brain break. These adorable reindeer, dressed in scarves and accessories, lead the dancing to the Hokey Pokey song. This is a great option for a quick Christmas brain break, as it is simple and short!
Learn more: The Kiboomers - Kids Music Channel
14. Run Run Rudolph
This is a fast-paced, stop-and-go Christmas brain break! Different levels have students doing different things. They must listen and watch to know what to do. Complete with a variety of different types of movement, this brain break is a fun little reindeer-themed video!
Learn more: KidGo Coach Hayne
15. Pause, Pause With Santa Claus
This is a fun freeze-style brain break. Sing and dance along with Santa. You never know when it will be time to freeze your awesome dance movements. Shake your body to the rock and roll type of music that accompanies this brain break.
Learn more: The Learning Station - Kids Songs and Nursery Rhymes
16. A Reindeer Knows
Super upbeat and catchy lyrics provide a lively edition of a Christmas song for this brain break. The lyrics play on the bottom of the screen and the animations match the lyrics perfectly. Bright colors and cute characters add to the Christmas theme for this brain break!
Learn more: The Learning Station - Kids Songs and Nursery Rhymes
17. I Spy Christmas Sheets
Easy to print and fun to do, these I Spy printables are Christmas-themed and full of fun pictures to color and seek. The picture bank at the top guides students to find certain pictures. They could only color those pictures or they could color all the tiny pictures and just circle the pictures in the I spy printable.
Learn more: M.N.EMS. Mama
18. Reindeer Ring Toss
Let the students help with the creation of this reindeer ring toss activity. Built from cardboard and a few decorations, this reindeer is an adorable game that will serve as a perfect brain break. Let students take turns with the ring toss game before jumping back into academics.
Learn more: Bored Art
19. The Dancing Christmas Tree
The Dancing Christmas Tree Song is one that is super fun for the little ones! Bringing the Christmas tree and snowman to life to dance with Santa is a great way to engage young learners. Add in fun music and silly dance moves and you have a great Christmas brain break!
Learn more: Kids TV 123
20. Nickelodeon Dance
This brain break starts with teaching the dance moves to the students. It uses familiar Nickelodeon characters to show the dance moves and get students up and moving! Complete with a winter background, this brain break was designed for Christmas time.
Learn more: 2k Play
21. Santa Dance Spinner
The best thing about this brain break is that it can be used in two different ways. You can print and play or use the video to play. This fun Santa dance brain break will get your students moving and grooving! There are different types of dance moves featured for a perfectly wiggly time.
Learn more: Your Therapy Source
22. Up On The Housetop
When students need a movement break, this one is a great option! This fun and upbeat Christmas song is a great one to add to your resource library. Take a few minutes and add in some awesome dance moves to get your bodies moving and give your brains a break!
Learn more: The Learning Station - Kids Songs and Nursery Rhymes
23. Ice Age Sid Shuffle
Calling all Ice Age fans! This one is our favorite little Sid and he is showing off his dance moves! Join him and get some physical activity into your day. Move your body and rest your brain before diving back into learning!
Learn more: Official Ice Age
24. Christmas Freeze Dance
This is an awesome brain break! This song gets us moving but still has us listening and watching so we know when to freeze! Add this simple video to your collection of brain breaks. This is perfect for wintertime and a Christmas theme.
Learn more: The Kiboomers - Kids Music Channel
25. Christmas Brain Break Cards
Created in three separate categories, these "refresh, recharge, and refocus" cards are great for the holiday season. They feature movement activities, writing tasks, and cool information. These are perfect for tired teachers who need to give students a quick brain break so they can get back on track and be hard at work.
Learn more: Second Story Window
40 Adorable Mother’s Day Gifts to Make with Toddlers