Brain Breaks for Kids
Increase Focus with Proprioceptive Exercises
1. Jumping jacks, 10-20
2. Seated chair lifts: while sitting, place
hands near back of chair, lift body up
and hold for 10-30 seconds, repeat
as needed
3. High plank position on floor: hold
position with arms straight/palms
flat on the floor, toes on the floor.
Hold for 10, break for 10 if needed,
or hold up to 30 seconds
4. Yoga / adapted yoga positions: table,
downward dog, warrior, chair, etc
5. Crab kicks: hold a crab position and
slowly kick each leg, 10-20 times
6. Donkey kicks: in a downward dog
position, keep hands still and slowly
kick each foot, pause at the top, 10-
20 times
7. Marching: slowly march in place
bringing knees up as high as possible
– 10 strong marches and then 10
slow marches with quiet feet
8. Jump up and down, 10-20
9. Reverse table pose: sit on floor and
lean back into straight arms / fingers
pointing toward feet, lift body up
keeping hands and feet on the floor,
hold for 10-30 seconds
10. Stand on tip toes and stretch hands
high above the head, hold for 20-30
seconds
11. Arm circles – large movements: 10
forward / 10 backwards, then
smaller faster circles: 10 forward, 10
backwards; follow with floating arms
straight up to the ceiling and slowly
return them back to the sides
12. Push-ups: floor, desk or wall, 5-15
depending on location and ease of
push-up
13. Slow squats / fingertips tap the floor,
10-20
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14. Jog in place
15. Inchworm: keep feet still, walk hands
out on the floor as far as they'll go
(into a plank position,) hold for a few
seconds or do a push-up before
walking hands back to the feet
16. Hop on right foot 10 times, hop on
left foot 10 times
17. Plank position: on the floor if space
allows, lie on stomach; push up onto
the forearms / keep toes on the
floor; lift the body above the floor
(toes and forearms should be the
only body parts in contact with the
floor)
18. Dance moves (ask a student to lead a
current popular viral dance or share
one of your own!)
19. Sit-ups, crunches, or bicycles (elbow
to opposite knee)
20. Scissor arms straight out in front of
the body (right hand over left, then
left over right); end with a “give
yourself a hug” squeeze!
21. Toe touches: pause at the bottom
for a stretch through the legs, 10-15
22. Wall sits (or hover above chair) for 5-
35 seconds
23. Hold largest / heaviest textbook
above head, lean slowly to each side,
return slowly back to center
24. Plank jumping jacks: hands remain in
one spot on the floor, feet alternate
jumping in together / out apart, 5-15
25. Reciprocal jumps: stand up, start
with right arm forward - left arm
back - left leg forward - right leg
back. Jump to switch leg position
while also switching arm position (a
fun challenge for some kids!)
Amy, Occupational Therapist