Brain Breaks for the Classroom

Brain Breaks for the Classroom

$6.50
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Brain Breaks for the Classroom
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Brain Breaks for the Classroom

200+ Energize, Calm, & Focus Cards

$6.50

Pull a card and go. Every brain break has a ready-to-read script and a time estimate, sorted by the energy your students need.

Made for: The Classroom, The Office, and Behavior Supports

Grade Level: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

File Format: PDF, Google Slides, PPTX, and Zip

Total Pages: 200+ Cards

Topic: Self Regulation and Behavior

Instant Download

Match the break to the moment.

60 brain breaks and 200+ cards for grades 2–6, sorted into three color-coded categories: Energize, Calm, and Focus.

Every card has a ready-to-read script and a time estimate, so you can pull a card and go. Print the cards or display them from editable Google Slides and PowerPoint.

A class full of wiggly, distracted students needs something different than a class that's dragging and disengaged. These breaks are designed to respond to the energy in the room.

60 brain breaks in three categories

Energize brain break cards

Dragging & disengaged?

Energize

20 movement-based breaks to get students up and going.

Calm brain break cards

Wiggly & wound up?

Calm

20 settling activities for when energy is running high.

Focus brain break cards

Distracted?

Focus

20 quick cognitive activities to sharpen engagement.

5 expansion decks

  • 40 Would You Rather
  • 20 Brain Teasers
  • 26 Alliteration Prompts
  • 30 Four Corners
  • 30 Mystery Object

 

A brain break card labeled with its description, script, time estimate and category

Each card includes

A short description of the exercise, a verbatim script you read to the class, a time estimate, and icons flagging anything you'll need, like music or paper.

No planning required. Pick a card that fits the energy in the room and start.

Print it or project it

Every card comes as a ready-to-print PDF in color and black & white, plus editable Google Slides and PowerPoint files.

  • Display any card on screen with no prep
  • Edit the wording to fit your students
  • Add your own favorite brain breaks
An editable brain break card displayed in PowerPoint

 

Perfect for

  • Whole-class breaks during long work blocks or after assessments
  • Transitions between subjects or at the start and end of the day
  • Morning meeting or circle time warm-ups
  • Small group or counseling session icebreakers and resets

Good to know

  • Grades 2–6; some activities work for younger students
  • PDF plus editable Google Slides and PowerPoint
  • Print in color or black & white
  • Print and cut for physical cards, or display with no prep

Questions

Can I project the cards instead of printing them?

Yes. Every card is in the editable Google Slides and PowerPoint files, so you can display a break on screen with no prep. Brain teaser answers appear when you click.

Can I add my own brain breaks?

Yes. Use the editable files to adjust the wording or add your own favorites.

Do these work in a counseling office?

Yes. They work well as small group icebreakers, or as a quick reset at the end of a session before students head back to class.

How should I introduce them?

Start with a few cards at a time. Students quickly learn what each type of break looks and feels like, and the breaks become part of your routine.

Comprehensive brain break resource with engaging activities categorized by type (calm, energize, focus). Customers praised the variety and ease of use, noting students love the no-prep format. "My students love getting to do a brain break that isn't on a screen," one said. Some wished for more activities per category, but found quality excellent.

  • Incredible resource! Love the variety of brain breaks provided. Students enjoy and benefit greatly.
  • Students loved these! Engaging, easy to use, perfect for helping 3rd graders reset and refocus.
  • I love these! Use them with all ages! Super helpful teaching students about different strategies.
  • 5 stars: 133 (89%)
  • 4 stars: 15 (10%)
  • 3 stars: 1 (1%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
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Heather L.
Awesome resource!

I turned all the yellow/calm strategies into cards for my students, and they pull one at the end of my sessions (as appropriate) to get their bodies and brains ready to transition back to their classrooms. I use the calm cards ALL the time!!!

F
FlowersInFirst
great product

My students loved these brain breaks! They were engaging, easy to use, and perfect for helping my 3rd graders reset and refocus throughout the day. Great addition to our classroom routine!

K
Kelsie L.
Awesome Resource

This is a great resource to help students with social-emotional and behavioral needs.

k
kylie C.
These were ok

These are cute but I found that I didn't use them the way that I thought I would. They are made very well

A
Angela P.
A great resource!

A fantastic collection of brain breaks that have really engaged learners!

B
Bridget M.
These are brilliant!

I've laminated my set and have them on a ring. Perfect to just pull out and have a short, targeted brain break. Thank you

d
danielle S.
Great resource

This comprehensive resource is filled with great SEL options!

D
Designed with Purpose Resources
Helpful Resource

This is a great, no prep SEL resource for students.

D
Darcie S.
Great Resource

This is an incredible resource! I love the variety of brain breaks that are provided. My students enjoy and greatly benefit from participating in the breaks.

K
Kelly N.
Easy-Pease

A great resource to have to grab when the kids need an energizer

H
Hannah R.
Love this!

My back to school PD included the three categories of brain breaks. I already had these printed out and ready to go. LOVE how it is broken up into sections so you can use a specific brain break.

K
Kellie B.
Love this!

I appreciate the time and effort that was put into creating this resource. It was beneficial for my classroom.

T
The Ohio Teacher

This resource was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

A
Alejandra F.

I bought this resource for teachers to use to give students brain breaks

C
Chalkboards and Thumbtacks

Needed ideas for brain breaks and this resource really helped!

J
Jennifer F.

Great resource to use with my students!

M
Middle School Masterminds

My students love getting to do a brain break that isn't on a screen. This resource makes it so easy to access a quick movement break throughout the day.

M
Malaak K.

This is a great resource that helps students self regulate and calm down in engaging ways and helps them connect with each other.

E
Ella C.

This is a great resource. I have it hanging up in my room so that I can grab it and go! I wish that where were a few additional activities in each pile; however, the ones that are included are great.

A
Amy A.

I love having these on a ring in my library at all times. Having brain breaks sorted by type/ goal is really helpful. I can choose what type of break we need to re-center; it's great!

4
4EVERGROWING

Great resource!

H
Hannah M.

This was a great resource to use with my second grade kiddos!

B
Becky B.

This is a great resource! It has great calming strategies for our kiddos! Thank you so much!

K
Kelsey M.

I use these brain break cards for a lot of my students and we use them in a variety of ways. They are very helpful and my students have done a great job utilizing them!

M
Maggie M.

I love these!!! I use them with all ages! They are super helpful in teaching the students about the different types of strategies and how different strategies help us with different needs.

L
Learning by Leah

My students love these brain breaks! I was looking for something that didn't require a screen and these were it! Thank you!

T
Tracie R.

I live these for SEL. They are a great resource! I highly recommend.

S
Sierra J.

My students love getting to choose a card and see what self-regulation skill they get to practice. It has also been helpful in checking in to see if they need to calm down, release some energy, or focus more in session. They love these.

K
Kelsey Alexandra M.

Just what I was looking for! Provides mindful breaks for my students!

N
Nicole T.

I keep a copy in my counselor bag and pull a card anytime we're getting wiggly!

E
Emily S.

Lots of ideas/ways to take brain breaks! My students take turns picking cards, and they love it

J
Jordan S.

My students love using these for breaks! We use them in my self contained classroom.

D
Daria W.

I have printed those out and laminated the wee cards. I keep them on a keyring and children can decide what exercise/activity we should do to help them concentrating. I am happy with the purchase as it simply saved me a lot of time!

M
Melissa N.

The categories of brain breaks are great so you can tailor them to suit the needs of students, e.g. to energise them or settle them down. Visually appealing.

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