Brain Breaks

Brain Breaks

A library of energizing activities to give scholars mental breaks and build community. Choose 1-3 brain breaks per day to help scholars recharge between lessons and strengthen connections with their peers.

Planning For Brain Breaks

Brain breaks are where scholars let their guard down, have fun, and connect with each other. These moments build the community and trust that make camps transformative. Don't treat brain breaks as "filler time" or skip them when you're behind schedule. They're essential to scholar wellbeing and the KWK experience.
Before selecting a brain break, consider:
What do scholars need right now?
  • Energy boost? → Active games (Pterodactyl, Evolution, Circle Swap)
  • Mental rest? → Low-key activities (Zoomed In, Hidden Talents)
  • Team bonding? → Connection-focused activities (IA Panel, Memory Circle)
  • Competition? → Games with winners (Kahoot, Scattergories, Pictionary)
What are your logistical constraints?
  • Time: Do you have 10 minutes or 30 minutes?
  • Group size: Whole camp vs. Houses vs. small groups?
  • Space/modality: Virtual (Zoom features) vs. in-person (physical space)?
Pro tip: After scholars have experienced several brain breaks (by Week 2), you can ask them to vote on what they want to do next. This gives scholars agency and ensures they're engaged.

Best Practices

  1. Plan Your Directions Ahead of Time
      2. Don't wing it! Think through exactly what you'll say and in what order. It’s a good idea to have slides prepared that you can display as well. Here are a few other things to consider in your planning process:
      • If scholars are in groups, how will groups be created?
      • Will scholars need supplies? How will you distribute them or set them up in advance?
      • What links or Slack messages will you need to send? Draft those beforehand.
  1. Always Offer an Opt-Out
      2. Not every scholar will want to participate in every brain break, and that's okay. Give them permission to sit out without judgment. Here are some examples of what to say:
      💻 Virtual Camps
      "Hi everyone! We're playing {GAME NAME} for the next 10 minutes. Here's how it works: {BRIEF DESCRIPTION}. If you're interested, we'd love to have you! If not, feel free to turn your camera off and take a screen break."
      📍 In-Person Camps
      "Hi everyone! We're playing {GAME NAME} for the next 10 minutes. Here's how it works: {BRIEF DESCRIPTION}. Come join us if you want! If you're not interested, feel free to take a screen break and just hang out."
  1. Actively Participate
      2. ILs should play along. Your energy sets the tone. If you're enthusiastic and engaged, scholars will be too. If you're half-checking your phone or looking bored, scholars will disengage.
  1. Keep Time
      2. Brain breaks should not exceed 30 minutes. Instructors are the timekeepers and should signal when it's time to wrap up. If a game is running long, give a 2-minute warning: "Alright, we've got 2 more minutes! Let's finish up this round."

Giving Effective Directions

IAs, you'll give directions to scholars throughout camp—for brain breaks, practice activities, Culture of Tech sessions, and more. Effective directions eliminate confusion and keep things moving smoothly. The best directions are:
  • Specific - Outline precise actions scholars should take
  • Concrete - Clear, actionable tasks that require no prior knowledge
  • Sequential - Describe steps in order (First...then...next...)
  • Observable - Describe actions that can be observed (eliminates ambiguity)

Examples

❌ DON’T
✅ DO
"We're going to play a game now.”
"We're playing Scattergories for the next 15 minutes! The goal is to come up with words in different categories that all start with the same letter.”
"Okay, so basically you try to guess and if you get it right you win.”
"Here's how Zoomed In works: First, I'll show you a zoomed-in picture on the screen. Then, you'll have 30 seconds to type your guess in the chat. Finally, I'll reveal the answer and anyone who guessed correctly gets a point!”
"Just do what everyone else is doing.”
"For Circle Swap, first stand up and form a circle. Then, when I call out 'SWAP!', you'll need to find a new spot in the circle as quickly as possible. The last person to find a spot sits out for the next round.”
"Does everyone understand? Okay, go!”
"Let me check: What's the first thing you'll do when the round starts? [Wait for answer] Great! Any questions before we begin?”
"We're playing Pterodactyl. You can't show your teeth.”
"We're playing Pterodactyl! The goal is to make other people laugh without showing your own teeth. Here's how it works: First, everyone covers their teeth with their lips. Then, we'll go around the circle and each person will say 'Pterodactyl' in a funny voice to try to make others laugh. If you laugh and show your teeth, you're out! We'll keep going until only one person remains.”

Brain Break Direction Template

Use this structure when explaining brain breaks:
  1. Name the game: "We're playing {GAME NAME}!"
  1. Explain the objective: "The goal is to {OBJECTIVE}."
  1. Describe how to play (sequential steps): "First, you'll...then you'll...next, you'll..."
  1. Clarify timing: "We'll play for {X MINUTES}."
  1. Offer opt-out: "If you're not interested, feel free to {OPT-OUT OPTION}."
  1. Check for questions: "Any questions before we start?"

Brain Break Bank

This library includes KWK favorite brain breaks with slides and step-by-step instructions for both Virtual and In-Person camps.
Brain Break Slides: Even if you use these pre-made slides, you must still internalize the directions and plan how you'll facilitate the brain break ahead of time. Don't just wing it!
Optional Brain Break: Creating Engaging Presentations
This break is fun while also helping scholars build confidence with essential presentation skills! Use this slide deck to facilitate a brain break leading up to Pitch Party or Demo Day.