It’s essential that teachers include within their virtual lesson plans brain breaks for online learning.
Virtual brain break activities are short mental rests that help your students re-energize and refocus.
These brief periods help students stay actively engaged in the learning for longer periods of time.
What’s more, there are a variety of brain breaks for online learning, including games, from which to choose. See the list right here.
If you’re doing remote teaching as a high school, middle, or elementary teacher, pencil in a few of these brain breaks for online learning to try this week.
Fun Brain Breaks for Online Learning
Even reluctant kids who don’t normally like to participate enjoy performing these fun brain breaks for distance learning!
1. Fun Trivia
One of the most exciting virtual brain break activities is fun trivia.
Navigate to Google Images or your favorite search engine.
Type in “fun trivia for kids”.
Grab the most interesting finds, and then type each on a Google Slide (or other online app where all students can view the information).
Now show students one trivia question at a time.
2. Hidden Picture Puzzles
Using one of these puzzles as a brain break will help students disconnect from the formality of classroom activities and just have fun.
Why not use one or two of these online hidden picture puzzles to get started?
3. GoNoodle
Designed with elementary kids in mind, GoNoodle provides short interactive break break activities that get kids moving.
Students will be more motivated and engaged during the day.
4. Online Sudoku
Sudoku puzzles are challenging yet fun brain breaks for online learning that can be done as a whole class.
Even your most reluctant learners will be actively participating to figure these out!
These online Sudoku puzzles for students are a great option.
5. Virtual Choice Boards
Virtual choice boards will likely serve as one of your most flexible and accommodating brain breaks for online learning because they allow choice.
Learners choose their own brain break activity, or the class as a whole chooses 1 to perform.
Download a free, pre-filled template using the link below. (via Google Slides)
6. Yoga
Yoga is another rest-the-brain exercise that encourages students to step away from the computer screen and get moving. It’s also great for relaxing the mind.
Search “yoga for kids” in the images setting of your favorite search engine.
Once you find a few poses that you like, display each one at a time to the students. They’ll perform the stretches, using the visuals as guidance.
A yoga video for students is a good alternative to the images.
7. Video (BrainPopJr., Discovery Kids, etc.)
As long as they’re engaging and grade-level appropriate, videos are great as online brain breaks.
Show a BrainPopJr. or Discovery Kids video, preferably one they haven’t yet seen.
8. Online Jeopardy
Play a round of online Jeopardy using the interactive website Jeopardy Labs. Find customizable, ready-to-use game templates, or create your own.
Choose topics that are fun for students and not too focused on teaching objectives.
The goal is that the brain breaks for online learning be an appreciated and somewhat-relaxing break from the usual routine.
9. Silence
Challenge students to simply step away from the computer screen and remain silent for a few moments.
They can put their heads down or walk about the house. Add a bit of mellow music to set the stage and calm the mood.
10. Sing-a-Long
Crank up the volume of their favorite song, and have them sing along while moving to the grooves.
Karaoke-style is also fun.
11. Virtual Field Trips
This list of brain breaks for online learning isn’t complete without virtual field trips.
Guide students in discovering and exploring new places and topics. “Visit” museums, zoos, outer space, other countries, factories, etc.
A quick Google search yields good virtual field trip results.
12. Where’s Waldo?
Remember the book Where’s Waldo?
Transform that fun search and find game into an online learning brain break.
To do so, go to your favorite search engine, and type into the search bar “Where’s Waldo” using the “images” search option.
You’ll see a variety of pictures from which to choose.
“Screen share” one of the images, and watch students knock themselves out trying to find Waldo!
13. Virtual Tic-Tac-Toe
Tic-Tac-Toe is a childhood favorite, and it helps students develop critical-thinking skills.
Easily create a template in Google Docs or Google Slides and share the virtual game board with students through screen sharing.
Download a customizable copy of a virtual tic-tac-toe template using the link below. (via Google Slides)
How to play…
Divide students into two groups, X and O groups.
Individuals in each team take turns telling the teacher where to place their X or O on the game board until a team has 3 consecutive Xs or 3 consecutive Os in a column, row, or diagonally.
Easy and a ton of fun!
14. Classic Brain Break Activities
One of the easiest options for implementing brain breaks for online learning is to transform the ones you already use.
Determine which of these fun brain break activities you’re most comfortable customizing into a digital format.
15. Stretches
While standing next to their computers, students stretch for a few minutes.
Simple stretches include touching toes, bending at the waist, head rolls, and stretching arms over the head.
Final Thoughts
No matter how great one’s teaching, students need to occasionally disconnect and take mental breaks.
This helpful list of brain breaks for online learning provides ideas for keeping them focused and engaged during distance teaching.