Recess Heads Indoors - Classroom Freebies

Indoor recess ideas and games to the rescue for all my teacher friends!

I know so many of you have been forced inside for indoor recess if you are at school due to the bitter cold, so I decided to ask the BEST fans in the world what they do when going outside isn’t an option.

And, as always, they came through with flying colors!

What are some great indoor recess games?

Thanks so much to all the Organized Classroom’s Facebook fans for sharing 30 ideas for what they do during indoor recess!

You can find that free document below, but just a few items suggested by fellow teachers include:

Coloring books and stencils
Floor puzzles
Legos
Homemade “Headbandz” game
Recess games, such as Simon Says
Play-Doh
Puppets
Making cards for local retirement home residents
Reading informational magazines
Writing a card to a grandparent

How can I incorporate movement for kids into my indoor recess?

One surefire method is by using GoNoodle for kids! So many teachers swear by this method to incorporate movement for kids for brain breaks, but indoor classroom recess is a perfect time as well!

Another idea that I would like to add is just putting on some fun music and allowing the students to get some physical activity in while having fun at the same time! A great go-to option is to grab a KidzBop CD and turn it up!

KidzBop always has the latest music, so even the “big kids” won’t feel like it is babyish. They have “today’s biggest hits sung by kids for kids” which includes the most popular music they already know and can sing along with in the classroom. Simply turn it on and let the students have fun – with little to no prep from you!

One of my favorites is KidzBop 25! My little man LOVES to hop around the house when I put it on for him too.

KidzBop 25 includes:

Roar
Best Song Ever
Clarity
Wrecking Ball
Treasure
Royals
Applause
Wake Me Up
Love Somebody
Still into You
I Need Your Love
Cups
Safe and Sound
Cruise
Summertime Sadness
The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)

How fun are all those songs? Of course, I always recommend to preview anything you plan on playing for students beforehand, and this would be no exception. {A little CYA tip – lol}

Where does classroom management fit into brain break stations?

Of course, you don’t want students bumping into one another and running around the room creating a safety hazard, so having a few indoor recess ground rules is always a good plan.

Here are 3 to get you started:

If your legs are moving faster than your teacher can walk, slow it up. Try to “run” in slow motion.
If your classmate can hear what you are saying across the room, lower your voice.
If you can extend your arms all the way out and can touch more than 2 people, you are too close. Spread out so you have room to enjoy the activity.

Of course, depending on the activity, some of those ideas might not mesh with your individual needs, so feel free to be creative in coming up with your own, while still thinking of the safety of students as they get in some fun indoor game time! Classroom management is really just about defining some guidelines and following through with them.

Speaking of playing fun classroom games, everyone is a winner here with a FREE Indoor Recess Ideas eBook! Just head to the download page below and check your email for the document.