Play is the first language of learning and the key to actively engaging students. Purposefully integrate play into your classroom routine with energizers—quick, whole-group activities that support academic and social-emotional skills while emphasizing fun and connection. These 50 energizers are easy to learn and teach. By weaving energizers into the school day, you will infuse joy into learning, deepen student engagement, and meet students’ needs for significance, belonging, and fun.

Energizers can be used anywhere, anytime, with minimal setup. Two or three minutes of moving, laughing, chanting, and singing together can build community, reinforce academic concepts, and calm or invigorate bodies and minds. Whatever your lesson’s purpose, there’s an energizer for it!