55 Brain Breaks for Kids: Fun & Educational!

Brain breaks are short mental and physical activities that help kids take a break from learning and recharge their minds. Taking a few minutes to engage in a brain break activity enables kids to focus better, improve their mood, and feel less stressed.

If you are looking for some brain break ideas, we’ve got you covered! In this post, we will explore the most beneficial and fun brain breaks for kids across a variety of categories. Let's get started!

15 Brain Breaks Games for Kids

Brain break games are great resources to help kids unwind in an entertaining way. Here are the top-rated, game-based brain breaks for kids of all ages.

1. MentalUP Learning Games

MentalUP is an innovative educational app that offers fun and beneficial brain breaks for kids. It is the ultimate app that brings together the best brain breaks, all designed by pedagogues, academicians and game developers who understand how to make learning enjoyable.

MentalUP offers a wide range of games and exercises that are tailored to kids' specific needs, interests, and learning pace. From cognitive games to physical education exercises, MentalUP is one of the most comprehensive apps on the market featuring a wide range of physical and mental brain breaks for kids.

The award-winning app is trusted by schools, parents, and educational professionals around the world and is awarded for its effectiveness in improving cognitive skills and making learning enjoyable for children. Plus, it tracks a kid's progress and provides personalized recommendations based on their strengths and sides that can be improved, so you can rest assured that they're getting the best learning experience possible.

2. Simon Says

This game is one of the most fun brain breaks for kids that improves kids’ listening and focus skills.

Basically, the leader gives instructions starting with "Simon says," and players must follow the instruction. If "Simon says" is not said and the player still follows the instruction, they're out.

4. Charades

This is a fun brain break game in that one player acts out a word or phrase while the other players guess what it is. No speaking allowed!

Playing charades is one of the most beneficial classroom brain break ideas for kindergarten kids. It enhances kids’ nonverbal communication skills while encouraging creativity.

5. Pictionary

If you are looking for virtual brain break ideas to utilize both in the classroom and at home, you can try playing Pictionary with your kids.

It is a fun and fast-paced drawing game in which one player draws a picture while others try to guess it. Plus, it is great for supporting kids' visual communication skills and promoting creativity.

6. Heads Up

Playing Heads Up is one of the most fun brain break ideas for middle school and older kids. The game can be played with cards or via the Heads Up app to encourage kids' teamwork and communication skills. It is pretty simple to play: players hold a card or phone on their forehead and others give clues to help them guess what's on it.

7. 5-4-3-2-1!

This is one of the best brain breaks for kids of all ages. It is a simple yet extremely fun game that encourages kids to partake in five different physical activities in descending order. For example, you could get them to do 5 jumps, 4 sits ups, 3 hops, 2 swing arounds, and 1 clap. It is great for giving kids a quick and fun exercise.

8. Find It Fast!

If you are looking for quick brain break ideas to utilize both indoors and outdoors, you can try playing Find It Fast with your kids. All you have to do is to look around and identify some colors or objects. Then you must shout out the chosen object or color for kids to find them as quickly as possible. The last person to get it is eliminated. You can repeat until you have a winner!

9. Tic Tac Toe

Tic Tac Toe is one of the most beneficial brain break ideas for elementary students. It can be played quickly to enhance strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Simply put, players take turns placing X's or O's in a 3x3 grid to try to get three in a row. The game can be played solo or multiplayer, and players can keep playing until someone gets three in a row or there are no spaces left to make a new move.

10. Hot Potato

This is one of the most fun brain break ideas that encourages quick thinking and fast reflexes. It can be played both indoors and outdoors and is especially great for kindergarten and elementary kids. During the game, players pass a ball or object around quickly and try not to be the one holding it when the music stops.

11. Red Light, Green Light

Red Light, Green Light is one of the quick brain breaks for kids that improves kids’ listening skills and reaction time. It is a fun and popular game that can be played enjoyably by young kids.

To start the game, kids get in a line. The chosen player calls out "green light" and players move forward, and "red light," they stop. If any player is caught still moving after "Red Light!" has been called, they are out of the game.

12. Freeze Dance

Freeze Dance is one of the most fun brain break ideas for kids, teens, or even adults! Plus, it is great for expanding creative movement and coordination.

All you need to do is put some music on and start dancing. During the activity, which is also one of the best music games for kids, players dance to music and freeze when it stops. Players that keep dancing after the music stops are out of the game.

13. Act Like…

This is one of the most fun kindergarten brain breaks for kids. Give your kids 3 minutes and watch how much they can act out while taking their creativity, communication, and physical skills into action.

Choose a theme for kids, such as animals, sports, or actions. Then let them take turns acting out a word or phrase related to the theme for the others to guess. Play the game until all kids have had a turn. You can benefit from different materials, such as Disney trivia questions, to make the game more interesting.

14. Rock, Paper, Scissors

The famous Rock, Paper, Scissors is actually one of the greatest brain break ideas for elementary kids. It enhances pattern recognition, decision-making skills, and hand-eye coordination in kids.

To play Rock, Paper, Scissors, players simultaneously make one of three hand gestures: rock, paper, or scissors. The winner is determined by a simple set of rules where rock beats scissors, scissors beat paper, and paper beats rock.

15 Physical Brain Breaks for Kids

Now that we have discovered the best brain break games for kids, let’s take a look at the physical brain breaks for kids that will both improve their physical endurance and help them recharge their minds.

16. MentalUP Fitness Exercises

As the only app on the market that contributes to both the physical and mental development of kids, MentalUP offers a fun fitness module featuring more than 240 exercises that enable kids to create daily exercise routines and recharge their minds by getting active.

You can utilize the app both indoors and outdoors to provide your kid with the physical brain breaks that will improve their endurance and keep them entertained for a long time. Plus, the app does not include any inappropriate ads or content, which makes it a safe and beneficial tool for continuous learning.

17. Yoga

If you are looking for an exercise routine that expands the benefits of brain breaks for kids, you should definitely get your kids practicing yoga poses.

Yoga involves physical poses, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques that can improve balance, coordination, flexibility, and concentration in kids. So following a full yoga routine regularly can be one of the best brain break ideas for kids.

18. Jumping Jacks

If you are thinking about how to take a brain break between all those busy study schedules, you can try jumping jacks for both yourself and your kid.

Jumping jacks are a simple and fun way to get the heart rate up and improve cardiovascular health. They can also improve coordination, balance, and agility in children. Practicing it between daily tasks or study sessions helps individuals recharge their minds.

19. Dancing

Making a list of brain breaks without including dancing would be meaningless. Dancing freely is one of the best brain breaks for kids and even adults!

Just take a break for 10-15 minutes, put on some music, and start dancing however you like with your kid. This quick brain break will contribute to your kids' coordination, balance, and rhythm, as well as distract them from stress.

20. Running in Place

This is one of the most effective exercise brain breaks for kids. It improves coordination and gross motor skills in kids and increases their energy and focus for learning.

To perform this activity, kids should stand with their feet hip-width apart and begin lifting one knee up towards their chest while swinging the opposite arm forward. They should then quickly switch legs and arms to create a running motion.

21. Bear Crawls

Bear Crawls one of the best brain break ideas for kindergarten kids. It is great for keeping them moving and supporting their coordination, core strength, and gross motor skills. Simply put, children crawl on their hands and feet, keeping their knees off the ground while pretending to be a bear.

22. High Knees

Practicing high knees is one of the most effective brain breaks for older kids. It improves kids' cardiovascular endurance and gives them relief from being busy with studying.

For this exercise, kids stand in place and lift each knee up to their chest in a marching motion. They can keep doing it for 2-5 minutes.

23. Tai Chi

Tai chi is a martial art that is practiced for defense training, health benefits, and meditation. However, it can also serve as a great example of brain breaks that can be done through physical activity.

During tai chi practices, kids perform slow, deliberate movements while standing in one place. This helps them to focus better and improves their balance, flexibility, and mindfulness.

24. Stretching

Stretching is one of the best brain breaks for ADHD students as it enables them to practice both physical movement and mindfulness simultaneously.

Kids can engage in a variety of stretching exercises to give their minds a break from learning activities. They can try stretching their toes or arms above their heads to feel a sense of relaxation.

25. Hula Hooping

Hula hooping is one of the most fun holiday brain breaks for kids. You can take it wherever you go and let your kids enjoy freeing their minds while enhancing their coordination, balance, and cardiovascular endurance.

It is pretty simple to play with a hula hoop. Kids keep twirling it around their waists or arms as long as they like. They might be unsuccessful on the first try, but you’ll see that they will get better in time.

26. Wall Push-Ups

This is a challenging activity that can be one of the most effective brain break ideas for high school kids. It is great for improving upper body strength and endurance as well as giving the mind some relaxation. Basically, children place their hands on a wall, bend their elbows and lean into the wall, then push back until their arms are straight. It can be repeated 5 to 10 times.

27. Wall Sits

If you are looking for strength-improving brain break ideas for high school kids, following wall push-ups with wall sits can be a great idea. To do the exercise, kids stand with their backs against a wall and slide down into a sitting position with their knees bent. Then, they hold the position as long as they can.

28. Crab Walks

Crab Walks is one of the most fun and effective brain breaks for kids, especially the young ones who are familiar with practicing gymnastic movements. The activity improves coordination, upper body strength, and gross motor skills, and it's pretty simple. Kids sit down on the ground, then raise up their core and begin walking on their hands and feet for a couple of minutes.

29. Frog Jumps

This is one of the most fun brain breaks for kids in the classroom, especially for kindergartners. It contributes to their lower body strength, coordination, and balance as well as helps them relax.

To complete a frog jump, kids go down and jump up with both feet, as if they are leaping like a frog. They can keep jumping as long as they feel comfortable.

30. Yoga Ball Bounces

Yoga Ball Bounces is one of the best physical brain breaks for kids at home. All you need is one yoga ball. Plus, it improves core strength, balance, and gross motor skills.

It's pretty easy and fun: kids sit on a yoga ball and then start bouncing on it while maintaining their balance. They can keep bouncing for 2 to 5 minutes.

10 Mental Brain Breaks for Kids

Mental brain breaks are short periods of time during the day when kids take a break from mental work or activities to engage in something different. This can include activities like meditating, visualization exercises, or simply getting up and moving around.

Here are the best mental brain breaks that reset kids' minds and bodies and help them return to their tasks with renewed energy and focus.

31. Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditations can help kids focus their attention and develop greater awareness of their thoughts and emotions.

So encouraging kids to meditate can both expand the benefits of brain breaks for students and give their mind relief. Just try making your kid sit quietly, focus on their breath or a specific object, and bring their attention back to their breath whenever their mind starts to wander.

32. Deep Breathing Exercises

Short and quick deep breathing exercises can be great brain breaks for kids in school or at home. Deep breathing helps kids calm their mind and reduces their stress levels.

Motivate your kids to take slow, deep breaths in through their noses and out through their mouths between lessons or daily learning activities. You’ll see how it will improve their stress management skills in time.

33. Visualization Exercises

Visualization exercises are great brain breaks for kindergarten students, especially for those who enjoy imagining things.

You can try to encourage your kids or students to imagine a peaceful or calming scene in their minds by asking questions about their desired places and guiding them through. Also, you can find recordings of guided visualizations online.

34. Coloring or Drawing

If you are thinking about what are good brain breaks for Christmas or Halloween, you can try encouraging your kids to engage in themed coloring and drawing activities.

These activities reduce stress and regulate kids' moods by offering them a great way to express themselves and practice their imagination. You can provide your kids with themed coloring books, colored pencils, or markers to encourage them to get creative.

35. Listening to Music

Listening to music between stressful tasks or long study sessions can be extremely soothing and calming for kids of all ages.

So if you are looking for easy brain breaks for kids, you can try encouraging them to listen to their favorite music or explore new artists they can enjoy when they need a mental break.

36. Solving Puzzles

Solving puzzles is one of the best brain breaks for kids as it engages their minds and reduces stress. Puzzles can come in many forms, such as jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku, and more.

Completing a puzzle can give kids a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, which can boost their mood and reduce feelings of stress or anxiety.

37. Journaling

Writing down thoughts and feelings can be great brain break ideas for primary school kids as well as older kids. It helps kids process their emotions and reduce stress.

You can prompt your child or students to keep a journal about a particular subject or write down their current thoughts and feelings when they feel stressed or overwhelmed.

38. Laughing

We all know that laughter is a powerful stress reliever. It is also one of the best brain breaks for kids of all ages. It provides numerous benefits for both kids and adults and is a great way to boost happiness and enhance family connections.

All you need to do is watch a funny video with your kids or tell them some entertaining math jokes or jokes about real life to make them laugh when they feel stressed or overwhelmed. In these kinds of times when you need a good laugh, you can always benefit from different sources such as would you rather questions for kids and fun questions to ask kids.

39. Taking a Mindfulness Walk

Taking a mindfulness walk is one of the best brain break ideas middle school or older kids can enjoy. It involves paying close attention to your surroundings and your body as you walk.

When you are on your way home or on an evening stroll, make them engage in a mindfulness walk by asking them to notice the sights, sounds, and smells around them. Tell them to take deep breaths and focus on their steps and how their body feels as they move.

40. Watching Documentaries

Watching documentaries can be one of the most engaging and educational brain breaks for kids. Let your kids take a break from their regular activities and watch a documentary about a topic they find interesting.

This will stimulate their curiosity and enhance their critical thinking skills as well as help them destress from their daily routine.

8 Relaxing Brain Breaks for Kids

Relaxing brain breaks are great for helping kids regulate their mood, improve their emotional intelligence, and support their stress management skills. Here are the top 8 relaxing brain break ideas for kids.

41. Taking a Nap

Sometimes a short nap can be one of the best brain breaks for kids at home. Taking a 30-seconds nap can help kids recharge their minds and reset their brains.

Make sure your child is getting enough sleep each night, and encourage them to take a nap if they need one during the day. Keep in mind that long naps might negatively affect their sleeping routines.

42. Taking a Bath

Taking a warm bath can be a great way for kids to relax and unwind. So if you are thinking about how to give your brain a break or help your kids recharge their minds, try letting them take a warm bath with some calming essential oils or Epsom salt for extra relaxation.

43. Guided Relaxation Exercises

If you are googling “brain breaks for elementary students Youtube,” you are probably looking for online guided relaxation exercises.

Guided relaxation exercises involve listening to a recording that guides individuals through a series of relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, visualization, or progressive muscle relaxation. You can find them on Youtube and encourage your kid to use them when they are overwhelmed.

44. Reading

Reading between long lessons can be one of the best brain breaks for students in the classroom. You can allow your kids or students to take a break and read a book that they find calming or enjoyable when they feel overwhelmed by studying. It is a great way to help them distract their minds and promote feelings of relaxation.

45. Taking a Nature Walk

If there is a natural park or reserve you can take a trip in the fall with your kids, taking a nature walk might be one of the best fall brain breaks for kids.

During your walk, you can ask your kids some questions about the environment around them and ask them to pay close attention to the sights, sounds, and smells around them. This will help them relax their body and unwind their mind.

46. Playing with a Stress Ball

Engaging in stress ball activities can be one of the best holiday brain breaks for kids. It provides a great way for kids to release physical tension and promotes relaxation.

You can find a variety of stress balls designed for kids online or in stores and allow your kids to play with them as they wish when they are overwhelmed with daily activities.

47. Sensory Activities

Sensory activities, such as playing with sand, water, or playdough, can be a calming and engaging way for kids to take a mental break.

If you are planning to organize Easter, Christmas, or Halloween brain breaks for kids, you can check online or stores to find themed sensory activity sets that will give your kid's mind a break from daily activities.

48. Hugging a Stuffed Animal

Kids love playing with stuffed animals. These toys can be great tools if you are looking for quick and effective brain breaks for kids. Just encourage your kids to hug their stuffed animals when they feel anxious or overwhelmed. This will be comforting and grounding for them.

7 Skill-Building Brain Breaks for Kids

Skill-building brain breaks for kids are short, engaging activities designed to give them a mental break from focused learning while also enhancing skills, such as creativity, problem-solving, communication, physical coordination, organization, and concentration.

These activities allow kids to both recharge and build cognitive skills that can benefit their overall development and academic performance. Let’s dive into the best skill-building brain breaks for kids.

49. MentalUP Cognitive Skills Games

The MentalUP app provides kids with hundreds of cognitive skills games that can improve their intelligence and recharge their minds. With its adaptive learning technology, the app tests and analyzes kids' skills and provides them with the best cognitive games that fit their needs and interests.

With MentalUP, it takes only 20 minutes daily to expand kids' skills and give them a break that unwinds their minds. That’s why it is the best source of fun brain breaks for kids of all ages.

50. Learning a New Language

Learning a new language is one of the most fun and engaging brain break ideas for kids of all ages. Encourage your kids to take a break from their regular activities and spend some time learning a few new words or phrases in a different language. This will benefit their overall cognitive development and improve their linguistic skills.

51. Coding

Short coding practices might be a great way for kids to take a break from daily routines. Nudge your kid to spend some time coding a simple program or working on a project.

You can also find online coding games and lessons to diversify their coding experience. Spending time with such activities will unwind their mind, help them develop their problem-solving skills, and enhance their creativity.

52. Playing an Instrument

Playing an instrument is one of the most relaxing and soothing brain breaks for kids. Also, it is a great activity for kids to improve their memory skills and enhance their hand-eye coordination.

All you need to do is motivate your child to take a break from their studies and spend some time playing their favorite instrument.

53. Cooking

If you are looking for some fun, skill-building brain breaks for kids that will give them a break from screens, you should definitely try cooking with your kids.

Spending time in the kitchen stimulates kids’ creativity and improves their organizational skills. So next time you are looking for some brain break ideas for kids, try cooking their favorite dishes together.

54. Gardening

If you are looking for some holiday brain breaks for kids, you can motivate them to spend some time outside and care for their plants.

This will be a calming and therapeutic brain break for your child and contribute to their overall wellness by improving their mental health and enhancing their sense of responsibility.

55. Playing a Sport

Playing a sport can be one of the most fun and invigorating brain breaks for kids. Participating in regular sports activities improves kids' physical health, enhances their teamwork skills, and allows them to recharge their minds.

All you need to do is find a sport that fits your kid's age, interests, and physical abilities. Then you can motivate them to regularly engage in the chosen sport.

The Benefits of Brain Breaks for Kids

It is clear that there are a variety of brain breaks for kids that benefit their overall well-being in different ways. Now, let’s summarize the general benefits of brain breaks to see how they can contribute to your kid’s mental and physical health.

• Improve focus and attention
• Reduce mental fatigue
• Allow the brain to rest and recharge
• Boost creativity
• Provide opportunities to move and be active
• Help regulate emotions and reduce stress
• Enhance memory and learning
• Promote a positive classroom or home environment
• Encourage socialization and teamwork
• Help with self-regulation
• Enhance physical health
• Improve academic performance
• Foster positive relationships

Frequently Asked Questions About Brain Break Ideas

Now that we’ve explained the best brain breaks for kids in different categories and explored their benefits, let’s take a look at the most commonly asked questions about brain breaks to clear all the questions in your mind.