Exercise brain break cube fun gives kids a quick workout with no gym membership required! Roll the Brain Break Cube | Exercise and let children jog in place, jump rope or lift the weights during a playful movement break.

Looking for a quick way to get the wiggles out while keeping kids engaged and active indoors? This workout-themed cube adds fun, movement and structure in one easy tool. Each roll builds coordination, focus and confidence, whether you are in the classroom, at home or in a therapy session.

With this exercise brain break cube, you get

• 6 workout movement prompts kids love to act out
• Inserts for a differentiated instruction cube (fits soft photo cubes or clear-pocket cubes)
• A build-your-own cube template you print, fold and tape
• Both cube options in color and black and white

Roll, move and repeat!

What's Included

• Exercise cube cards with 6 movements:
  • Jog in place
  • Hula-hoop
  • Tug the rope
  • Lift the weights
  • Jump rope
  • Stretch to the side
• Inserts for differentiated instruction cubes (like soft photo cubes or clear-pocket cubes), in color and black and white
• Build-your-own cube template (print, fold and tape for a fast and easy DIY version), in color and black and white

Why Teachers Love It

• A mini workout anytime: Jogging, jumping and stretching get the wiggles out in just a few minutes.
• Helps kids reset: A quick burst of exercise helps children release energy and get ready for the next transition.
• Two cube options: Slide the inserts into a soft or clear-pocket cube or build the budget-friendly paper cube.
• Printer-friendly: Color and black and white versions give you options for any printer.
• Sub plans made simple: Keep a no-prep copy ready for rainy days or transition fillers.
• Great for therapy too: Occupational and physical therapists can use it for motor planning and regulation goals.

Skills Students Practice

Primary Academic Skills

• Gross motor coordination: Jogging, jumping, tugging and stretching build whole-body movement and coordination.
• Listening and following directions: Children hear a direction, understand it and carry it out with their bodies.
• Action vocabulary: Words like jog, tug, lift, jump and stretch connect action verbs to exercise.
• Self-regulation: Physical movement gives sensory input and energy release so children are ready to focus again.
• Healthy habits: Children learn that exercise can be fun and quick.

Secondary Life & Learning Skills

• Taking turns
• Waiting during group play
• Following directions
• Listening to classmates
• Maintaining attention
• Building confidence during group participation

How to Use It

Step 1: Print and insert the cards into a soft cube or clear photo cube, or use the DIY template to quickly build your own cube.

Step 2: Have a child roll the cube during a warm-up, brain break, indoor recess game or transition routine.

Step 3: Act out the exercise shown. Using the cube is as simple as roll, move and repeat!

Materials You'll Need

• A soft cube, clear photo cube or the included cube template
• Tape (for the cube template)

Easy Differentiation

Children come to movement time with different energy levels, motor skills and language needs. This exercise cube is easy to adjust for each of them.

For Children Who Need More Support

• Model each exercise before children try it
• Name the picture aloud and act it out together
• Start with movements children already know, like jogging in place
• Offer a calmer version of an action, such as stretching slowly to the side

For On-Level Practice

• Let children take turns rolling the cube for the group
• Do each exercise as the class counts together
• Use the cube during transitions throughout the day
• Pair it with a health, sports or "my body" theme

For an Extra Challenge

• Let a child lead the group as the "coach" by naming the exercise and showing it
• Roll twice and do both exercises in order
• Ask children to move fast and then slow
• Count higher for each exercise, such as 10 jumps rather than 5

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support

• Practice action verbs such as jog, tug, lift, jump and stretch
• Use a simple sentence frame such as "I can ___."
• Use the cube in OT or PT sessions targeting motor planning and regulation
• Show the picture while saying the action word for visual support
• Add it to movement stations or sensory rooms

Perfect For

• Morning routines and warm-ups
• Classroom transitions
• Indoor recess bins
• OT and PT sessions
• Small groups and partner movement games
• Substitute plans
• Health and fitness units
• Homeschool breaks between lessons

Standards

This exercise brain break cube supports the 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards (2021), and it builds toward kindergarten skills in Common Core, the TEKS (ELAR, adopted 2017) and the Virginia English SOL (2024):

Common Core State Standards

• CCSS L.K.5.d: Act out the meanings of action words that describe similar movements, such as jog, jump and stretch.
• CCSS L.K.6: Use words and phrases learned through conversation and play, such as exercise words and action words.
• CCSS SL.K.1.a: Follow agreed-upon rules for group activities, including listening to others and taking turns.

Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines

• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.IX.A.1: Show coordination and balance in isolation while jogging, jumping or stretching.
• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.IX.A.2: Coordinate a sequence of movements, such as jumping rope or swinging a pretend hula-hoop.
• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.I.A.1: Know where their own body is in space and respect personal boundaries while moving as a group.
• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.I.B.1.c: Regulate their own behavior with occasional reminders during movement breaks.
• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.II.A.1: Show understanding by responding to the action called out by an adult or classmate.

Texas TEKS

• TEKS ELAR K.1.B: Restate and follow oral directions that involve a short, related sequence of actions.
• TEKS ELAR K.3.C: Identify and use words that name actions.

Virginia Early Learning and Development Standards

• Virginia ELDS HPD2.1: Develop large muscle control through jogging, jumping, tugging and stretching.
• Virginia ELDS APL4.1: Manage actions and behaviors while moving with the group.

Virginia SOL

• VA SOL English K.C.1.A.i: Listen actively and follow agreed-upon rules for group participation, such as waiting for a turn.

Check out what other educators are saying:

★★★★★ Suzanne S. wrote, “I make Brain Break cubes to leave with my sub plans- subs appreciate these and my students love that I leave something different than the norm for them to do.”

★★★★★ Melanie Z. wrote, “Love to use as brain breaks in the afternoon or when we have 10 minutes of extra time during the day.”

Get moving with a mini workout break! Whether your kids are jumping rope or stretching to the side, this low-prep, high-energy cube keeps your day running smoothly. Add the Brain Break Cube | Exercise to your cart now and watch your learners roll, move and thrive!

Bundle and save: the Exercise Brain Break Cube is also included in the Brain Breaks Bundle.

Download Details

Please note: This is a digital download that will be available to you directly after purchase. Nothing will be mailed to you.

You will receive a link to the download in three places

1. On the 'thank you' page after checkout
2. In your email
3. Login on the site here: https://lifeovercsstore.com/account