No Screens Needed: Classroom Games for Indoor Recess and Brain Breaks
Some days, students spend more time indoors—whether it’s due to weather, testing, or a busy schedule full of focused work. During these times, indoor recess or classroom breaks are essential for helping kids reset and stay engaged.
It can be tempting to reach for Chromebooks or a movie, but screens don’t always meet students’ need to move, refocus, and release energy. Simple, screen-free activities can do just that—while boosting focus, mood, and classroom connection.
Research backs up what teachers observe every day. Regular movement helps children:
- Improve mood and focus
- Support positive classroom behavior and academic achievement
- Create a stronger sense of self
- Better manage and adapt to stress
- Improve their heart and brain health
Take a trip down memory lane with us from when unplugged play was the norm—and classrooms still buzzed with energy. Let’s bring back those classic classroom boredom buster games (plus a new idea).
You may remember these games from your own childhood. But when was the last time your students played them? Here’s a quick refresher to help you bring them back to life in your classroom.
Classroom Game Ideas
Why it works: This game gives students a quick burst of movement, and encourages social interaction. It requires no equipment and works perfectly as a short brain break – you only need 10 to 15 minutes!
How to play:
- Choose seven students to be “it” and have them stand in the front of the classroom.
- Tell the rest of the students to put their heads down. (No peeking!)
- The seven students who are “it” walk around the room and tap one classmate on their head. The people who were picked put up their hand to show they’ve been picked.
- Those that are “it” walk back to the front of the classroom and then say “Heads up, seven up!”
- Those that were picked stand up and take turns guessing who tapped them. Each person only gets one guess. If they guess correctly, they become “it” for the next round.
- Once everyone has guessed, the students that weren’t found out tell who they picked, and they get to continue to be “it.”
Why it works: This game is a crowd-pleasure and sure to get everyone up and moving! It encourages quick decision-making, attention, and friendly competition.
How to play:
- Label each of your corners 1,2,3, and 4 or pick something that goes with your theme of the day.
- The person who is “it” puts their head down and the rest of the class quietly walks to a corner. The person who is “it” counts to 10 and then with their head-down they announce a corner.
- Everyone inside the corner that was announced plus anyone who did not go to a corner in time is “out” and sits down.
- Continue this process until there is one winner!
Why it works: This game combines movement, content review and healthy competition! Each student will go head-to-head on review questions making it a fun brain break that also supports academic skills.
How to play:
- Have one student stand next to a seated classmate.
- Ask a review question related to your current lesson
- The student who answers the question correctly first moves on to the next student in their seat. The person who is “out” sits down in the seat in front of them (now made empty by the winning student).
- The standing student continues around the room, going head-to-head with each new classmate.
- Play continues until a student makes it back to their original seat—once they do, they’ve gone “around the world” and win the game!
Why it works: This new game is easy to adapt to fit your students’ abilities, requires minimal setup, and works well even in a tight classroom space!
How to Play:
- Have the class pick an exercise that they can do at their desk for each suit (for example: squats for hearts, jumping jacks for diamonds, desk push-ups for clubs and toe touches for spades). Write them on the board so you don’t forget!
- Walk around the room and let a student pick a card randomly.
- The whole class does whatever exercise was on the card. (Example: 10 of hearts would be 10 squats). You can decide what number for the royal cards.
Screen-free movement games are an easy way to keep students active, engaged, and focused—no matter the day or lesson. Whether you try one of these classics or create your own twist, these activities continue to bring energy, fun, and connection into the classroom.
Is there a screen-free game your class loves to play? Share it with us at onoursleeves@childrensdayton.org or use #ClassroomChampions on social media!
Be a Classroom Champion
On Our Sleeves knows that our educators work hard every day to care for students’ learning and also their mental wellness. Our goal is to provide you with the tools and resources you need to create a safe and supportive learning environment for your students. That’s why we created the Classroom Champions e-newsletter.
By subscribing to our list, you’ll receive valuable information, resources and tips monthly on how to promote mental wellness among your students and prioritize your own mental health.
join the On Our Sleeves movement
The mission of On Our Sleeves is to provide every community in America access to free, evidence-informed educational resources necessary for breaking stigmas about child mental health and educating families and advocates. For more information, visit OnOurSleeves.org and sign up today to receive free mental health and wellness resources monthly to your inbox.
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