Movement Breaks for all ages!
Regular high fives – Tell the students they have 30 seconds to high five every person in the room, but they MUST walk. 2. Double high fives – Have students stand. Then tell them to put one hand in the air, then another. Then have them turn and double high five all the students around them. 3. Windmill high fives – Tell students to spread out in the room so they have plenty of room. Then have them stretch both arms out to the sides, once hand facing forward, the other facing backward. Then have them partner up with someone, turning in circles. As they turn, they should be able to high-five their partner. 4. High five hugs – When the students high five, they place their thumb around the hand of the other student and tap it a couple times. It’s as if their hands are giving hugs. 5. Student authored high fives – Have students come up with their own versions of high fives.
Silent ball- This game is great because you can incorporate a little physical activity and coordination while maintaining an enviably silent room. Get a soft, medium-sized ball and let students grab a spot for themselves around the classroom. The goal is to not let the ball drop to the floor. Students must constantly pass the ball to each other without using any words or noises. This sounds a little easier than it actually is, as students have to be really focused and responsive to body language. Add in a rule that they can’t pass the ball back to the same person immediately, or that a girl must pass to a boy and vice versa — anything to keep the ball from staying with the same few students! Set a timer and have a five-minute round of silent ball.
Rock, Paper, Scissors-Leader: Students pair up and play Rock, Paper, Scissor’s- Students play best out of three with a classmate and then find a new partner to challenge.
Opposite Sides: Movement is critical to learning. Have students stand and blink with the right eye while snapping the fingers of their left hand. Repeat this with the left eye and right hand. Students could also face one another and tap the right foot once, left foot twice, and right foot three times, building speed they alternate toe tapping with their partner.
FORWARD and BACKWARD CIRCLES 1. Point your arms toward the ceiling. 2. Keep your elbow straight and move your right arm forward creating a large circle. Continue making forward circles with this arm. Now do the same with your other arm except go BACKWARD. Continue with both arms moving at the same time. Make sure you have this pattern working before you continue. 3. While both arms continue to move, lift your right foot off the ground and make a ninety degree angle with your knee. Hold this for a few seconds. 4. Now extend your right knee out to make your leg parallel to the ground. Hold for a few seconds. 5. Stop. 6. Repeat the same process again with your left leg. AIRPLANE 1. Point your arms toward the ceiling. 2. Lift your right leg and put it behind you. Try to keep your knee straight. 3. Lean forward with your body. Try to make your body, arms and leg parallel with the ground. Hold for 10 seconds. 4. Now try the same sequence with your left leg behind you.
DON'T FALL 1. Point your arms toward the ceiling. 2. Lift your right leg and put it to the side of you. Try to keep it straight. 3. Point your body in the opposite direction. Try to make your body, arms and leg parallel with the ground. Hold for 15 seconds. 4. Now try the same sequence with your left leg to the side.
Thumb War- 2 partners can perform in sitting or standing. Lay your thumb on top of your closed fist. Then each player taps their thumb on alternating sides of their fists reciting : “ 1,2,3,4 we declare a thumb war”. Each player tries to pin their opponents thumb under their own.
Beach ball - Everyone sit on their desk and pass around the beach ball. Once students have gotten the ball tossed to them, they toss it to someone else and then sit back in their seat until everyone has gotten a turn.
Jumping jacks - Have students do as many jumping jacks as they can in 30 seconds-1 minute.
Rainstorm - Start by everyone tapping one finger on the desk, then two, then three, then four, then lightly tap whole hand- Now do it all backwards
Write Your Name: Using your index finger as an imaginary pencil, write your name in huge cursive in the air. Now repeat using different body parts as your pencil—elbow, knee, toe, belly button, head.
TD Tap: Have everyone stand, face their chair and place hands on hips. Next, they should tap their left foot 25 times on the seat of the chair. Switch legs to tap the right foot 25 times on the chair. For the next 60 taps, alternate left then right toes tapping the chair.
A Balancing Act: Practice balancing on each foot. Have kids lift their foot off the floor at least 5 inches and hold for 30 seconds. Rest and repeat 3 times. Switch legs. Teach kids that they have to tighten their abs and focus on something straight ahead to be able to balance. As students advance, have them keep their arms parallel with their ears and bring palms together
The Wave: Have students form a circle. Have a student start the traditional wave motion (raise arms as second student immediately follows, like you see at a sports event). Have the same student now do a different action to start the wave, like getting in a squat position. Have the same lead student lean left and everyone follows, then lean right.
Backpack Book Lifting: Have each student perform basic arm curls with their backpacks or a book. Do 12-15 reps slowly, counting 5 on the up and 5 on the down motion. Do 3 sets.
Walking a Tightrope: Place a piece of masking tape in a line across the room. Have each student “walk the line” as if on a balance beam. Be sure they are concentrating on staying completely centered on the tape and have them use their arms to assist with balance.
Jump Rope Tricks: Pretend to perform jump rope.
Mirror Drill: Partners face one another. Hold palms up in front of chest, facing partner. The leader will move one hand at a time and the follower will mirror the movement. Switch every minute.
Paper Wad Toss and Catch Challenge: How many times can you toss and catch a paper wad ball with a partner without dropping the ball? Challenge students with some of the following suggestions: overhand/underhand toss; toss with the non-dominant hand; toss into the recycling bin. (Tip: Keep a supply of paper wad balls in a recycling container or bag
Take a Seat: Have students find a place on the wall and slide down into a position as if they are sitting in a 90-degree angle against the wall. Back should be flat against the wall, knees directly above ankles. Knees should NOT extend beyond toes. Hold for 1 minute- increasing over time.
Create a Handshake: Have the students find a partner and create a unique and active handshake. Then have the partners separate and teach the handshake to others. Instruct the students to see how many handshakes he/she can learn in 3 minutes.
Quick Hands: Have the students form pairs and stand across from each other. Give each pair a soft object such as an eraser, ball or beanbag. Explain to the students that when you say “go,” the pairs will try to pass the object back and forth as many times as possible until you say stop. Rotate partners.
Timeout: Have students stand up, take a deep breath for 5 seconds, hold for 5 seconds and breathe out slowly for 5 seconds. Repeat 5 times.
Train like a Pro: Students jump side to side or back and forth, 20 to 30 times over a natural line on the floor (e.g. lines on a tile floor), or imaginary line.
The Classroom Workout Circuit: Have students do the following in-place for 1 minute each (feel free to mix up the order): Jog in place, high knees, jumping jacks, hop on one foot, hop on the other foot, jump on both feet
Turtle Race: Students race from one end of the room to the opposite side moving as slowly as possible, as if they are in slow motion. Students must continue to stay in motion and maintain balance. Last one to the other side of the room is the winner.
Hold that Position: Students stand and hold arms straight out to the side for one minute. Challenge students by having them hold an object such as a book or water