Brain Breaks are short activities, often only 1-3 minutes long, that help kids get ready to learn or refocus on the task at hand. They often involve physical activity and movement, though relaxing activities can also boost mental brain power.
So in addition to encouraging your kids to participate in these fun breaks, join the kiddos and have some refreshing, stress-free fun yourself, too!
Supplies needed
Something to draw with (crayons, markers, even just pens or pencils), and something to draw on.
Here’s what you do
Start with a scribble that takes up the whole page.
Then fill in the sections the scribble created.
You could fill in the different sections with solid colors, you can make scribbles inside your scribbles, you can fill in other patterns – the options are limited only to your imagination!
Activity Extensions
For the little ones –
Don’t feel limited to paper – you could do this activity in a sandbox with a finger, or a stick in the dirt. You could also use chalk on a sidewalk! Add in some playtime and use toy cars to drive on the lines, or toy animals to follow them around.
For the older kids -
Make it more detailed by using one color on the whole page and creating a new pattern in each section. Or fill the individual areas with bugs, flowers, or other things they might know how to draw.
“The Why” behind the Activity
Art helps us de-stress, and you do not have to be great at art to enjoy it! This activity is easy, and a great way to let your mind wander and relax while creating something. The Library is having an Art-ober Challenge in October to encourage everyone to do more art, so this is a great warm-up!
Check out these books for more fun!
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Ish by Peter H. Reynolds
Lines by Suzy Lee
Nola’s Scribbles Save the Day : An Adventure in Creativity by Cristina Lalli