Brain Breaks – Part 34: Snowball, Polar Bear, Penguin!

I love finding ways to refresh and reframe activities we already know and love! Novel twists on Brain Breaks are equally as important as twists on activities! When was the last time you added in a new Brain Break or put a spin on something old!? 

This is the perfect way to inject some last minute JOY into your week before break, and it is PERFECT for after winter break too! This is a new spin on “Rock, Paper, Scissors”, and is much like Giant, Fairy, Wizard! (You can read that one here!) 

Brain Break Part 34

This is called Snowball, Polar Bear, Penguin! Here’s how it works!

Each option has its own gesture, and there’s a reason why one beats another. The logic doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to make sense to them! Your students may come up with their own “reasons” that one beats another. (Yes, I have LOADS of these variations! Let me know if you want to hear more in the future!)

1. Snowball
Gesture: strong snowball throwing stance, like you’re about to pitch one and nail your brother in the face! YESSSSS!!!! I always dominated Snowball fights growing up in Leadville!
Beats: Penguin (because penguins and their wobbling can’t possibly dodge this).
Loses to: Polar Bear (because a polar bear can crush a snowball in a second, also, it’s a POLAR BEAR… what’s a snowball going to do!?)

2. Polar Bear
Gesture: Stand tall, raise your arms, and show your “claws”
Beats: Snowball (it is a snowball, duh).
Loses to: Penguin (because penguins are fast and slippery and can get away quick!)

3. Penguin
Gesture: Waddle side to side with your arms tucked in like a cute little penguin
Beats: Polar Bear (they’re too quick and slippery for a big ol’ polar bear)
Loses to: Snowball (Penguins can’t dodge them)

Brain Break Play

First, explain the rules and gestures to your class. You can use this image to help explain what beats what. Shout out to Audrey Ramirez who told me that she uses the image in Giant, Fairy, Wizard as a picture talk before playing. Brilliant!

Students get up and play. I usually like to tell them something like “Play with 5 people”, “Play for 30 seconds”, “Keep track of how many people you beat in 40 seconds”, etc., or if you have a Brain Break Ninja Classroom Job you can just have them be in charge of the timing of the Brain Break. 

BONUS!!!

You can TOTALLY use these same characters to make the Brain Break rollercoaster, surfer, 7th grader novel again! That’s always a student fave, especially because you end up with one winner. They LOVE elimination style Brain Breaks! 

I hope you love this as much as I do! It’s quick, requires zero prep, and gets your class community laughing and moving! 

If you try Snowball, Polar Bear, Penguin, I’d love to hear how it went! Did your students come up with their own “logic” for who beats who? Remember, my friend, Brain Breaks like this aren’t just about movement—they’re about creating moments of JOY that make your community stronger, and you happier!  

I hope you LAVISH your winter break! I am so grateful for you!

Joyfully yours, 

Annabelle

La Maestra Loca