A-Z Brain Break Activity Ideas for Kids – Free Printable!

ByHeather Greutman Hours

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Brain breaks are a great benefit for any child, especially those with extra wiggles or attention and focus difficulties. Today I am sharing some fun A-Z brain break activity ideas for kids. There's a free printable at the end of this post so be sure to grab that.

Sample of the a-z brain break activity ideas for kids printable from Growing Hands-On Kids.

A-Z Brain Break Activity Ideas

I've paired an activity with each letter of the alphabet. You can have the printable with these activities hanging in the calming corner of a classroom or your home. Have the child pick their favorite letter to complete, or have them do each activity that corresponds to the letters of their name.

Letter A – Action songs

You can find many action songs on YouTube that your child or student can follow along with. Here are some of my favorite action song ideas.

Letter B – Breathe deeply x5

There are some good breathing visuals found on The OT Toolbox.

Letter C – Chew gum

This might not be an option, depending on the rules at your school. But if you are able, having a gum-chewing break is a great way to help oral sensory seekers in your classroom.

Letter D – Dance party

Turn on your favorite songs and have a dance party!

Letter E – Eat a crunchy snack

Crunch snacks help with proprioceptive input through the jaw, great for those who are oral sensory seekers. This can include things like pretzels, carrots, celery, crackers, chips, etc.

Letter F – Fidget tool break

You can create your own fidget tool carrying case to have in your sensory space or to use on the go. I also have a list of my favorite DIY fidgets here.

Letter G – Guessing game

You can play a game of charades, Pictionary, Who Am I, or Twenty Questions. My kids also love this Guess in 10 Game.

There are also some guessing games on YouTube.

Letter H – Hot potato game

Use a regular ball and have some music to play the hot potato game with. Or, you can get one of these plush potatoes that have the music built into them.

Classic tater toss game for kids.

Letter I – I-Spy Game

I have some I-Spy printables on my site, or you can create your own based on your classroom or sensory space. Or you can play the classic “I spy with my little eye” game as a class.

Letter J – Jumping jacks x10

Increase or decrease the number of jumping jacks depending on the child's needs or ability.

Letter K – Karate moves

Here are some 20 Minute Karate Lessons for Kids on YouTube.

Letter L – Listen to music

Have a playlist with a headset so children can have a music break without disturbing the class. Or have an entire class music break. Always end with some calming music before heading back to deskwork.

Letter M – Minute to Win It Games

Here are some minute-to-win-it games you can set up to use as brain breaks.

Letter N – Nature walk

Take a 5-10 minute nature walk outside for some fresh air.

Letter O – Origami

You can find origami tutorials on YouTube, or follow along with these ocean animal origami printables and videos on my site.

Letter P – Play with play dough

Homemade play dough is my favorite. There are many no-cook options out there also. Here are some of my favorite recipes.

Letter Q – Quiet game

Here is a list of quiet games you can play as a class. These would be great to do after coming in from lunch or recess to help everyone get ready to sit down again.

Letter R – Riddles

Letter S – Simon says

Play a game of “Simon Says” as a group for 5 minutes. This is a great game to play with younger children to help encourage listening skills and motor planning.

Letter T – Table-top push-up

You can have the child do finger table-top push-ups or lean against a chair with their knees on the ground to complete the push-ups.

Letter U – Unplug time (reading etc)

Have books, Sudoku puzzles, regular puzzles, or card games available for screen-free play.

Letter V – Vision board

Use card stock or cardboard to create vision boards using old magazines or pictures.

Letter W – Word searches

There are many word search printables you can find ahead of time and put on a clipboard in your sensory space.

Letter X – eXercise circuit

You can set up different exercises on an obstacle course or do some exercise circuit training without weights.

Letter Y – Yoga poses

Yoga is a great way to relax and self-regulate. Here are some of my favorite resources for kids' yoga poses.

Letter Z – Zig zag skipping

Set up zig-zag lines on the floor or ground with painter's tape for an added visual. Have your child skip while zig-zagging back and forth. Practice skipping in a straight line first if your child struggles with skipping.

Get Your Free A-Z Brain Break Activity Printable

I've included all the activities above on a one-page printable that you can hang in your sensory or calming space. There is also a second blank page to customize each letter to things you have in your classroom or home.

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Heather Greutman, COTA

Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with experience in school-based OT services for preschool through high school. She uses her background to share child development tips, tools, and strategies for parents, educators, and therapists. She is the author of many ebooks including The Basics of Fine Motor Skills, and Basics of Pre-Writing Skills, and co-author of Sensory Processing Explained: A Handbook for Parents and Educators.

CONTENT DISCLAIMER: Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
All information on the Website is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice from a physician or your pediatrician. Please consult with a medical professional if you suspect any medical or developmental issues with your child. The information on the Websites does not replace the relationship between therapist and client in a one-on-one treatment session with an individualized treatment plan based on their professional evaluation. The information provided on the Website is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.

Do not rely on the information on the Website as an alternative to advice from your medical professional or healthcare provider. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment as a result of any information provided on the Website. All medical information on the Website is for informational purposes only.

All activities outlined on the Website are designed for completion with adult supervision. Please use your own judgment with your child and do not provide objects that could pose a choking hazard to young children. Never leave a child unattended during these activities. Please be aware of and follow all age recommendations on all products used in these activities. Growing Hands-On Kids is not liable for any injury when replicating any of the activities found on this blog.

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