During a regular school day students get up to transition between classes and lunch, along with making time for classes like gym, art, or music. These were times to stretch their legs and give their brains a break.
But with my child virtually learning this year, I need to remember to build that important brain break time into our day.
Wondering what a brain break looks like? We have ideas! Check out our list of brain break activity suggestions for kids of all ages. Since many of our children who will be learning at home this year will be in front of a screen most of the day, we've tried to include mostly suggestions that don't involve technology:
At-home brain break ideas for elementary school students
- Create a game of the floor is lava
- Draw with chalk on a sidewalk or driveway (Make your own sidewalk chalk!)
- Blow bubbles
- Organize races: Think scooters, foot races, and bikes!
- Play a backyard ball game
- Go on a nature scavenger hunt
- Compete at wall push-ups
- Smush kinetic sand
- Play with stretchy putty or slime
- Draw a picture or paint
- Relax with yoga
- Clean! (Here are six suggestions for making cleaning fun for kids)
- Walk silly: Think crab walks and toy soldier marching!
- Dance to your favorite songs or find a few on GoNoodle or The Learning Station to help get those wiggles out!
At-home brain break ideas for middle school and high school students
Depending on your child, at least some — if not all — of the elementary school age activities will likely engage middle school age and even some high school kids in need of a break. Here are some more ideas for older kids:
- Relax by creating a Zentangle drawing
- Create and color mini mandalas
- Complete a Sudoku puzzle
- Make a collage or a vision board
- Practice a sport
- Throw darts
- Take the dog for a walk
- Go for a quick run
- Color, paint, or draw
- Catch up with a friend
I hope these ideas help keep your kids — and you! — from experiencing brain overload as we adjust to at-home learning. Now c'mon! Let's take a break.
Rachael Weiss is the publisher of Macaroni Kid Union, N.C.
