Brain Breaks Teaching Resources
Do you need new brain break ideas and activities for your primary classroom? Welcome to brain break central at Teach Starter!
This collection of teacher-created brain break activities and printables for foundation through Year 6 includes active games to get students up and out of their chairs, would you rather brain breaks, whole class escape games, creativity challenges and a whole lot more.
New to brain breaks? Take a peek at a primer from the teachers on the Teach Starter team!
What Is a Brain Break?
Not sure what qualifies as a brain break? A brain break is a short mental break incorporated into classroom instruction to provide literally what the name implies — a break for that hard-working brain.
Brain breaks can be done in the middle of a lesson or during a transition from one lesson to another, and the goal is to help the brain refocus so students can dive back into learning refreshed and ready to absorb the material.
Most brain breaks only last a few minutes. They're a break, after all!
Teachers can add as many or as few of these breaks into the school day as necessary. Younger children, such as a classroom full of early years students, may require more brain breaks than upper years students.
Why Are Brain Breaks Important?
Wondering how brain breaks help students? There is plenty of research on brain breaks for kids, and it all points to the importance of taking short breaks to help students succeed in the classroom.
For example, studies show that primary students often lose focus and become inattentive during lessons that drag on. Something as simple as a brain break in the middle of a lesson, however, gives students the redirection they need to get back on the attention train and absorb the information.
Brain breaks are also helpful in reducing student stress and increasing overall productivity, with research showing that students get a boost in their reading comprehension and divergent thinking skills when they get breaks in the school day.
How Often Should You Use Brain Breaks?
Frequency — and length — of brain breaks for your students will vary depending on the age and abilities of your students.
You know your students best, and you'll be best able to tell when they need a break. But if you're looking for a good rule of thumb for primary school, consider adding a break for students at least every 15 to 20 minutes for students to refocus their attention.
The later in the school day, the more important experts say it becomes for you to incorporate these breaks. One study by Danish experts even deduced that the cognitive fatigue students experience which each passing hour is equivalent to losing 10 school days’ worth of learning!
Fun Brain Breaks Students Love (And So Do Teachers)
Looking for fun brain breaks to get you started with this collection? Our teacher team designed every break in this resource collection to be fun, but here are a few favorites to add to the list!
- Hand Hockey — Have students stand in a circle with their feet touching, leaving a space on either side of the circle for goals. Toss a soft ball in the center, and tell your students they can only use their non-dominant hand to try to score a goal.
- Scissors, Paper, Rock — Take the popular rochambeau game up a notch with different versions. For example, you can challenge students to play using only their feet!
- Silent Ball — Challenge students to throw a ball around a circle for 5 minutes without making a sound.
- Plus Plan
One Word Story Active Game
A whole class active game that encourages creative thinking and teamwork.
- Plus Plan
Would You Rather? Books and Reading - Movement Game
Engage your students in thought-provoking discussions and fun exercises in this books and reading edition of 'Would You Rather...?'
- Plus Plan
Sloth Crossword Puzzle
Stretch your students’ vocabularies and reading skills with a sloth-themed crossward puzzle.
- Plus Plan
Christmas Symmetry Worksheets - Symmetry Drawing Activity
Explore symmetry with these Christmas symmetry worksheets.
- Plus Plan
How to Draw a Soldier Directed Drawing
Draw and write to reflect on Remembrance Day with a How to Draw a Soldier directed drawing activity.
- Plus Plan
Behaviour Charades
Explore appropriate and inappropriate behaviors at the beginning of a new school year with a fun charade activity.
- Plus Plan
Subitise and Exercise
Get active with this subitise and exercise teaching brain break presentation.
- Plus Plan
Would You Rather...? Back to School Edition
Engage your students in thought-provoking discussions with this set of 16 back-to-school “Would You Rather” questions.
- Plus Plan
International Dot Day Creativity Challenge - Upper Years
Get creative on International Dot Day with a creativity challenge worksheet for older students.
- Free Plan
National Tree Day – Rainforest Maze
A fun rainforest-themed maze for students to complete.
- Plus Plan
Book Review Chatterbox Template
Help your students review a book using this hands-on chatterbox.
- Plus Plan
What's Missing? – Interactive PowerPoint
An interactive presentation where students try to guess what object is missing from the picture.
- Plus Plan
How to Make Frog Origami — Step-By-Step Instructions for Kids
Download a printable guide to teach kids how to make origami frogs in the classroom when you're teaching about amphibians.
- Plus Plan
Zip Zap Zoom! Active Game
A whole class game that encourages concentration and listening skills.
- Plus Plan
Ten Add Bowling Active Learning
A whole class active game that encourages learning through a physical setting.
- Plus Plan
Pack of Fun - Quick Fitness Games
14 quick, easy and fun fitness activities for all ages.
- Plus Plan
It's Not a Dot! Dot Day Drawing Worksheets
Get creative on International Dot Day with an exciting series of dot art directed drawing worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Basketball Crossword
Use this basketball-themed crossword as a fast finisher activity.
- Plus Plan
Insects for Kids - Bingo Game
Learn about creepy crawly insects with a Bug Bingo Game for early learners.
- Plus Plan
International Dot Day Creativity Challenge - Early Years
Get creative on International Dot Day with a creativity challenge worksheet for early years students.
- Plus Plan
Search and Find – Family Outing
A beautifully illustrated park scene containing everyday items that need to be found.
- Plus Plan
Ball Game Drills - Task Cards
A set of 4 task cards containing drills and activities to develop ball skills.
- Plus Plan
Mini-Mystery – Who Killed the Class Plant? – Interactive PowerPoint
An intriguing mystery where students use their problem-solving skills to determine the culprit.
- Plus Plan
Father's Day Chatterbox
Give Dad the gift that keeps on giving with a coupon-style chatterbox to use as a gift for Father's Day.
- Plus Plan
Origami Giraffe Step-By-Step Instructions
Visual instruction page to use when creating an origami giraffe.
- Plus Plan
Origami Fox Step-By-Step Instructions
Visual instruction page to use when creating an origami fox.
- Plus Plan
Soccer Coaching Drills - Task Cards
A set of 10 task cards containing drills and activities to develop soccer skills.
- Plus Plan
How to Draw a Ninja Boy for Kids - Task Card
A task card that helps primary school students draw an awesome ninja boy!
- Plus Plan
Fruit Salad Active Game
A whole class or large group active game that encourages listening skills.
- Plus Plan
Capture the Treasure Active Game
A whole class game that encourages focus and creativity.
- Plus Plan
How to Draw a Cake Slice - Directed Drawing Worksheet
Learn to draw a cake slice with a fun directed drawing activity sheet.
- Plus Plan
Do-a-Dot - Autumn Activity for Preschool
Do a dot painting with printable autumn worksheets for preschool and kindy.