Construction brain break cube fun is perfect for little builders with big energy! Roll the Brain Break Cube | Construction and let children use the saw, dig a hole or drive the dump truck during a quick movement break.

Preschool and kindergarten energy needs somewhere to go. This construction cube gives children a job site full of action as they saw, dig and build their way through transition times, sensory breaks and indoor recess. Use it with a high-energy class, to support sensory needs or as an easy addition to your sub plans.

With this construction brain break cube, you get

• 6 construction-themed movement prompts kids love to act out
• Color and black and white inserts for a differentiated instruction cube
• A DIY cube template you can print, fold and tape
• Two cube options for easy prep and flexibility

Roll it, build it and get back to learning!

What's Included

• Construction cube cards with 6 movements:
  • Build a wall
  • Use the saw
  • Hold the sign
  • Put on a hard hat
  • Dig a hole
  • Drive the dump truck
• Color and black and white inserts for differentiated instruction cubes
• DIY cube template (just print, fold and tape, with no special materials required)

Why Teachers Love It

• Helps kids reset: A quick roll and a burst of movement help children calm their bodies and get ready to learn again.
• Fits your construction unit: Hard hats, saws and dump trucks tie movement right into your building theme.
• Two cube options: Use the inserts with your favorite differentiated instruction cube or build the paper cube from the template.
• Printer-friendly: Color and black and white versions give you options for any printer.
• Sub plans made simple: Print it and add it to your emergency folder for an easy movement break.
• Gets the wiggles out: Kids pretend to be on a job site while you enjoy a structured, purposeful movement break.

Skills Students Practice

Primary Academic Skills

• Gross motor coordination: Sawing, digging and building a wall strengthen full-body movement, balance and coordination.
• Following simple movement directions: Children hear the action, understand it and carry it out with their bodies.
• Action and construction vocabulary: Words like dig, saw, build and drive connect action verbs to construction work.
• Sensory input and self-regulation: A short, structured movement break helps children reset and re-engage.
• Pretend play and creative role-play: Children pretend to be construction workers as they act out each prompt.

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 laminate the construction cube inserts to use with your favorite differentiated instruction cube, or assemble the printable cube using cardstock and glue or tape.

Step 2: Choose a student to roll the cube during circle time warm-ups, a brain break or a transition between lessons.

Step 3: Roll and act it out! Read the movement prompt out loud and have everyone pretend to be on the job site together. Keep rolling until your students have the brain break they need.

Materials You'll Need

• A differentiated instruction cube or the included DIY cube template
• Cardstock and glue or tape for the DIY cube
• Laminating supplies (optional)

Easy Differentiation

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

For Children Who Need More Support

• Model each construction movement before children try it
• Name the picture aloud and act it out together
• Offer a calmer version of an action, such as sawing in slow motion
• Start with the movements children already know, like driving the dump truck

For On-Level Practice

• Let children take turns rolling the cube for the group
• Act out each movement as the class counts together
• Use the cube during transitions throughout the day
• Pair it with a construction, building or community theme

For an Extra Challenge

• Let a child lead the group by naming the movement and showing it
• Roll twice and do both movements in order
• Ask children to move fast and then slow
• Have children name the tool or vehicle in each picture

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support

• Practice action verbs such as dig, saw, build and drive
• Use a simple sentence frame such as "I can ___."
• Use the cube in OT, PT or sensory sessions targeting large motor skills and regulation
• Show the picture while saying the action word for visual support
• Add it to calm-down kits, movement stations or sensory rooms

Perfect For

• Transition activities between lessons
• Indoor recess
• Circle time warm-ups
• Construction and building units
• OT, PT and sensory sessions
• Small groups
• Substitute plans
• Homeschool wiggle breaks

Standards

This construction 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, such as dig, saw and build.
• CCSS L.K.6: Use words and phrases learned through conversation and play, such as construction 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 acting out each construction movement.
• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.IX.A.2: Coordinate a sequence of movements, such as digging a hole and then building a wall.
• 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 sawing, digging and building.
• Virginia ELDS APL4.1: Manage actions and behaviors while moving with the group.
• Virginia ELDS CD4.1: Explore and express ideas through movement and pretend play.

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.”

Ready to build focus and fun in your classroom? Your little builders will love digging holes, using the saw and driving the dump truck with these action-packed prompts. Add the Brain Break Cube | Construction to your cart now and roll your way to better transitions, stronger gross motor skills and loads of classroom fun!

Bundle and save: the Construction 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