10 Engaging Brain Breaks for the Classroom

Brain breaks are valuable additions to the classroom routine as they provide students with much-needed physical activity. They also help refresh young minds, allowing students to better focus and apply their knowledge during instruction time.

For autistic students (including my past self), short breaks can be especially helpful. They support focus, help manage sensory input, and make it easier to transition between tasks.

When teachers take the initiative to provide these breaks, they play an active role in creating a positive learning environment. This boosts students’ concentration and reduces their stress levels.

Let’s explore some of the most effective ways teachers can support their students in this way, because the possibilities are nearly endless.

1. Simon Says

This is a classic game that most children have played at some point.

When I played Simon Says as a young autistic person, I found it hard to remember to only follow directions when the leader said ‘Simon Says.” But aside from that, I almost always had fun playing the game.

How do I make use of this activity?

1. Have a leader give commands, starting with “Simon Says,” as students stand around. You can substitute Simon with another person’s name, too.
2. Remind students to only follow what you’re instructing when you say “Simon Says.”
3. Do simple actions like “touch your toes” or “clap your hands.” You can try more complex or creative ones with older children.
4. To make the exercise sensory-friendly, you can introduce commands like “Simon says, press your hand palms together gently.”

This game is not only something students love but also something that can improve their listening skills, impulse control, and body awareness.

It’s suitable for all age groups.

2. Dance party

What better way for kids to let their energy out than with a dance party during the school day?

Of course, this doesn’t mean big events like gymnasium dance-a-thons or after-school dances, which are usually for older students. I’m talking about simple dance exercises right in the classroom, which I’ve always enjoyed.

How do I make use of this activity?

1. Play a song that is short and upbeat (ideally under three minutes).
2. Allow your students to dance freely and at their own pace as long as they respect other students’ personal space.
3. You can offer alternatives like headphones for students who may be sensitive to certain sounds.
4. If you have students who are nonverbal, you can give them opportunities to lead movements, which will make your environment extra inclusive.

Dancing is a great example of an active brain break in the classroom. It combines movement, high energy, and social interaction.

For autistic students who may find motor control and self-expression more challenging, dance activities can offer valuable opportunities to grow and thrive in these areas.

Dance activities may be best suited for grade five and under because of their simplicity.

3. Desk yoga

Desk yoga can be one of the more intense exercises, but it’s really beneficial. However, because it’s a little more complex, you’ll likely need to explain using aids and more detailed steps.

How do I make use of this activity?

1. You can start by introducing students to seated yoga poses, such as neck rolls and shoulder shrugs.
2. For students who may have more difficulty, you can show visual aids or videos of what it will look like. A lot of things aren’t as easy as they look, but body movements such as yoga will likely be straightforward for many children.
3. Make sure the students engage in slow, deep breathing exercises to make yoga seem a little less physically demanding.

This calming brain break will help students improve their posture. It can also help with being more relaxed and focused.

Yoga can also help with sensory regulation. Students will be calm, which reduces sensory overstimulation or understimulation.

Yoga is more physically demanding and has movements that kids just entering school may not always fully grasp. Because of that, these exercises may be best for children in grades two and up.

4. Animal Walks

Animals are one of the first things we learn about as kids when we are in school. Because they are visually appealing living things in our everyday lives, it only makes sense to have games that include them.

Such exercises can be a great choice if a class is currently covering something animal-related in the curriculum.

For example, if grade two students are learning about butterflies and their lifecycles, you can instruct an activity where the kids carefully fly their hands around.

How do I make use of this activity?

1. Try to assign students relevant animal moves like bear crawls, crab walks, or frog jumps.
2. Make sure you teach them how to do the walks first.
3. Allow students to move across the room as they make impressions of these animals.

When children do animal walks, they can improve their proprioceptive input, body awareness, and coordination. This is also a great way to re-energize students when they’ve had a lot of downtime.

Kids in older grades typically outgrow stuff like making animal noises and movements and learn more advanced science concepts by then. Because of that, these exercises are best suited for kids in grade three and under.

5. Breathe like a dragon

Breathing like a dragon won’t require much active body movement but can still be a fun activity for many.

How do I make use of this activity?

1. You can instruct your students to breathe deeply before the big blow.
2. Have them slowly exhale and pretend to blow out fire like they are a dragon.
3. Allow them to repeat this several times, and be sure to emphasize how important it is for the breaths to be slow and controlled.

Because there is breathing involved, this activity can be very self-regulating and can greatly lower your students’ stress levels.

This may be a great activity for autistic students when they recover from a conflict, for instance.

Because it involves basic animal movements, it’s most suitable for children in grades two and under.

6. Chair drumming

Chair drumming may be a useful exercise for music class specifically. It’d be more than a 

brain break but something that matches the curriculum.

How do I make use of this activity?

1. Have your students use drumsticks if you have any, or if you don’t, let them use their hands.
2. Try to have the students do simple drum rhythms on their desks or chairs.
3. Make sure there are call-and-response patterns to further engage the students.

Chair drumming helps with coordination while allowing students to have better auditory processing skills.

When you factor in that autistic students often have auditory processing difficulties, chair drumming can be quite a booster for them.

Grades one to four are best suited for this activity. Some kindergarteners may not fully grasp the concept of rhythm just yet, and fifth graders and up may already fully understand what it is.

7. Mirror movement

Mirror movement is a great partner activity.

Pairing with a partner can be stressful for some autistic individuals, especially when it comes to finding one due to social isolation. However, once they are with the right person, it can go well.

How do I make use of this activity?

1. Pair students or have them pick their partners, then have them face each other.
2. One student can lead by making slow movements, and the other will try to mirror them.
3. Once a minute has passed, they can switch their positions.

This activity can help people with their focusing skills, empathy, and nonverbal communication. It can also help autistic students improve their ability to respond to nonverbal communication by engaging in this exercise.

Because the actions may vary in how complex they are, the activity is a good fit for all ages.

8. Would you rather? Movement edition

Would You Rather is a fun way for students to get to know their classmates better. Doing it while moving around can be extra fun.

How do I make use of this activity?

1. Ask questions like, “Would you rather walk like a penguin or hop like a bunny?”
2. Teach the students how to do the movements.
3. Then, allow the students to present their movements.

Such exercises can allow the students to stay physically active plus get even better at making decisions for themselves.

Although this game is fun for all ages, it’s probably not something that teachers would often explore in older grades because kids may outgrow it. Therefore, grade 4 and under is probably the most suited.

9. Stretch and count

Sometimes, we all just need a good stretch to calm our nerves and stay productive throughout the day. The counting part makes this game especially educational for the younger students.

How do I make use of this activity?

1. You can lead (or have students be the leaders) gentle stretches, such as touching the sky, touching toes, or even push-ups if there is enough room.
2. Don’t only include counting but also skip counting.

When movement and counting go together, it’s like gym and math in one class.

This means students can increase their movement skills, focusing skills, and math skills. This will especially help autistic students who may have more difficulties in these areas.

Because of the variety of movements and the working memory involved with counting, this game may be intense for kindergarteners. It could also be suitable for kids in grades one to six.

10. “Freeze!” game

The classic “Freeze!” game is a fun and engaging way to help kids practice self-control and body awareness. Whether it’s during music class or a brain break, standing still like a statue when the music stops can be both challenging and exciting.

Many children improve their focus and coordination the more they play—and it’s always a hit in the classroom!

How do I make use of this activity?

1. Play upbeat music and have the students dance or move around.
2. When the music stops, the students are required to freeze in their place.
3. Play the music again and repeat until you’re finished.

This activity heavily supports important life skills like impulse control, attention, and body awareness.

Its simplicity and movement make it a fun, effective brain break that also helps students learn.

Finding the right brain breaks for the classroom

Classroom brain breaks, no matter how small they seem, can make such a huge difference in how autistic students learn in school and engage with their surroundings.

Some may be more of the calming breathing type, while others may prefer the active activities. With that in mind, including both calming and active brain break activities will be a good idea.

Keep in mind that what doesn’t work with one student one day could work for them the next, so don’t expect instant progress in all areas. You can offer students choices or allow them to come up with ideas (“Put up your hand if you want to do_____?”).

Remember, brain breaks aren’t a break from learning—they’re a powerful tool for enhancing it.

FAQs

Q: What are brain breaks in the classroom?

A: Brain break activities give students a mental break from the more academic stuff. They can be physical and calming, allow them to make use of their creativity, and help them refocus their attention.

Q: What are brain breaks for ADHD students?

A: For ADHD students, brain breaks are best when they are movement-based and engaging. Think jumping jacks, clap patterns, or dance moves. These exercises release built-up energy and allow them to focus without getting too overwhelmed.

Q: What are good brain breaks for autistic students?

A: With autistic students, it’s important to prioritize calming activities like deep breathing, sensory-friendly stretching, or imaginative play that isn’t too noisy. It’s also important to keep the brain breaks predictable, structured, and optional if the child feels they’re overstimulated.

Q: What are the rules for brain breaks?

A: Brain breaks should be short (about 3–5 minutes), have clear start and end signals, and be consistent in routine. Make sure activities are age- and sensory-appropriate, and allow students to opt out if something feels too challenging.

The post 10 Engaging Brain Breaks for the Classroom appeared first on Autism Parenting Magazine.

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