Energizing Brain Breaks + a Free Printable

Last updated on June 23rd, 2025 at 12:46 pm

Both adults and kids need to take time out to de-stress and refocus when we’ve been working too long. When we sit still for long stretches of time, we become less productive.

That’s why we came up with this energizing brain breaks printable that makes it easy and fun to recharge.

What is a Brain Break?

Everyone needs brain breaks throughout the day. Whether we’re talking about adults concentrating on their work or kids focused on schoolwork, we all need to step away from that intense focus for short periods.

These breaks during the work or school day reduce stress and will actually help us pay more attention and be more productive when we go back to our tasks.

If you’re becoming frustrated or stressed, then you know you really need a break! When you see your child getting fidgety or bored, that means they’re ready for a brain break.

Brain breaks can be relaxing and quiet or energizing and fun. Energizing brain breaks are a great way for kids to release pent-up energy. Then they can refocus on schoolwork or homework. 

How Often Should Kids Take Brain Breaks?

Children need breaks every 10 to 15 minutes for younger children and every 20 to 30 minutes for middle school and high school students. These breaks only need to be three to five minutes long, and then kids are ready to get back on track.

Here’s a free brain break printable to make homework (or homeschool) time a little more fun. When it’s time to step away and refocus, just roll the dice to see which activity your child will do during their break. You can check off the activities as your child does them.

To make this page reusable, just print, and then laminate the page with a lamintor like this one. Then use dry erase markers.

You can also put your energizing brain breaks page into a dry erase pocket. This is such an easy and affordable way to reuse your printables without buying a laminator.  

Click below to print your Brain Break Chart. (It will print full-size on letter-sized paper or cardstock. You can also use your printer’s settings to fit it to your paper size.)

And, while you’re here, don’t miss all of our other free printables.

Need more brain break ideas? Try some of these. We’re including both energizing and relaxing ideas.

1. Set a two or three-minute timer, and dance!
2. Go outside, and lie in the grass.
3. Touch your elbow to the opposite knee. (Then switch sides.)
4. Do some yoga poses, or just stretch.
5. Do shoulder shrugs.
6. Play with some kinetic sand or slime.
7. Make circles with your arms–big and small.
8. Play rock, paper, scissors with a friend.
9. Sing Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes–and do the actions!
10. Blow some bubbles!
11. Hula hoop or jump rope.
12. Jump up and down.
13. Play a quick game of Simon Says.
14. Take a few minutes to meditate. (See the meditation for kids video below.)
15. Use this alphabet exercises activity. Have kids do the exercise that corresponds with the first letter of their name.
16. Play music, and rock out with air band instruments.
17. At home, play fetch with your dog or cuddle with your cat.
18. Shoot baskets on an outdoor or indoor (over the door) basketball hoop.

You’ll also like these posts —
Kids’ Alphabet Exercises Workout — Get the Free Printable
How to Create a Bored Jar For Your Kids (+ Activity Ideas & Printables)
Fun Mindfulness Activities for Kids: 6 Free PDF Printables

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