*Classroom Management | Teacher Tips
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Making the Most of Downtime:
Ideas for Special Ed Teachers

In every special education classroom, there will inevitably be some downtime between classes or activities—and that’s not necessarily a bad thing! The real world is full of downtime—at work, at home—there are plenty of moments when there isn’t something immediate to do.

Sometimes, teachers feel the pressure to fill every moment of the day for their students, but remember—downtime has its benefits. It gives students a chance to relax, practice advocating for their preferred leisure activities, or simply enjoy a break. Learning how to use free time effectively helps them in the long run.

However, too much unstructured downtime is also not advisable. Some students have a lot of trouble when time isn’t structured, so they will do best when you provide structured but flexible downtime options. Below are some ideas to help in keeping your students busy during downtime.

Teacher-Supported Ideas to Occupy
Students Between Classes

A group of high school students sitting at desks in a classroom, talking and engaging with one another. They appear relaxed, with some writing in notebooks and others chatting. The classroom is well-lit with natural light coming through the windows in the background.

Some students need a little extra support during downtime, and these activities are designed for them! With a bit of guidance, these can be fun and engaging ways to keep your students busy while on a break.

#1 Sensory and/or Movement Breaks

Many students with special needs benefit from short sensory or movement breaks to help reset their energy and focus.

An image with two scenes: one shows a child in a sensory room, sitting in a swing surrounded by colorful sensory equipment, with an adult supervising nearby. The text reads, "Set up a sensory space." The second scene shows a group of students in a classroom doing stretching exercises, and the text reads, "Do short movement breaks."

You can use sensory bins, fidget toys, or other tactile items to give students a calming, hands-on experience. Or, if your classroom is big enough, you can set up a sensory space with different sensory tools for your students to explore.

Additionally, leading short movement breaks such as yoga, stretching, or even a quick dance session can help get the wiggles out and prepare them for the next part of the day.

#2 Drawing Videos

For a creative and engaging group activity, try playing a directed drawing video that your students can easily follow along, like the videos from Art for Kids Hub! This is a fun way to keep your students focused while still allowing them to relax.

An image showing two students sitting at desks and drawing while watching a video titled "How to Draw Cheesecake" on a screen. The video displays a step-by-step guide on drawing a cute slice of cheesecake with a strawberry on top.

You can ask your paraprofessional to lead this activity while you prepare for the next class. Have your para pass out paper and markers, then play the video on your classroom screen. They can pause the video at key moments to make sure everyone is keeping up.

And don’t forget to display their finished artwork in the classroom!

#3 “Would You Rather Game”

When you have a few minutes to spare, this is a great activity to play as a class! “Would You Rather” prompts are simple, yet they get students thinking, communicating, and sometimes laughing.

You can adjust the difficulty of the questions based on your students’ needs, and use prompts related to topics you’ve covered in class, like a “Career Edition This or That game.” It’s an engaging activity that gets everyone talking and participating.

This game also helps encourage choice-making, an important skill for building independence. If you want to learn more about how to encourage autonomy in your classroom, check out my blog post on Choice-Making in Special Education.

An image with the heading "Use 'This or That' prompts!" showing examples of "Would You Rather" cards. One card asks, "Would you rather vacuum the living room or mop the hallway?" while another asks, "Would you rather wear dress clothes or laid back clothes?" The image also includes a tablet screen displaying similar prompts. The bottom of the image features a button that says "Click for resources!"

#4 Current Events

Keep your special education students up-to-date with what’s happening in the world by having current event activities. This can be a weekly, repeatable activity where you read aloud articles from a news website, or watch a recorded news show. It’s a great way to practice comprehension skills.

Here’s a resource for differentiated current event lessons!

An image showcasing a "Current Event" activity with both digital and printable versions. The digital version is displayed on a tablet and the printable version is on a worksheet. The activity asks questions like "Who is it about?", "When did it happen?", "Where did it happen?", and "What is it about?". To the right, there are checkmarks next to the features "Differentiated", "Weekly Template", and "Print & Digital."

Independent Activities During Downtime

A man in a wheelchair is painting on a canvas placed on an easel. He holds multiple paintbrushes in one hand while working on his artwork. He wears glasses, a plaid shirt, and has a plaid scarf draped over his shoulders.

For students who are ready to take on more independence, offering choices they can complete on their own (or as independent as possible) allow them to explore their interests. Check out these ideas!

#5 Activity Choice Board

Some students thrive when given options, so creating a choice board with different activities is a great way to promote independence during downtime.

You can make this digital (with clickable links), or a physical board. Include options such as task boxes, task cards, coloring pages, and more.

This allows your students to choose what interests them and helps develop their decision-making skills.

An image with the text "Students develop their decision-making skills when they are given CHOICES." Next to the text is an illustration of a teacher pointing at a board that shows three options labeled "Tasks."

#6 Task Boxes or Task Cards

Task boxes or task cards are excellent for students who prefer structured activities. These can focus on academic skills, life skills, or fine motor skills, depending on the students’ needs.

The best part? Once your students are familiar with how to complete the tasks, they can do them independently, freeing up your time to work with other students.

An image with the heading "Life Skills" featuring a variety of task cards related to basic skills. The task cards include questions such as "What is this called?" and "How do you use this?" with images of items like bandages and gloves. There is also a "Click here!" button, along with a "Task Cards" badge at the bottom right.

Check out these recommended life skills themed  task cards!

#7 Digital Task Cards (Boom Cards)

If your students have access to computers or tablets, you can try digital task cards or Boom Cards. They’re a fantastic option for independent learning as your students can use them with minimal assistance. These self-checking, interactive digital task cards allow your students to practice skills and receive immediate feedback.

An image showing a child’s hands holding a tablet that displays a "Would You Rather Work" prompt with two options: "Daytime" with an image of a man cleaning tables, and "Nighttime" with an image of a bartender preparing drinks.

#8 Calming Music and Relaxation

Sometimes, the best use of downtime is simply relaxing. Lower the lights, play calming music, and let your students relax.

An image with the text "Sometimes, the best use of downtime is simply RELAXING" next to an illustration of a person sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, and smiling peacefully. Musical notes float around, suggesting they are enjoying relaxing music.

You can even create a “calm corner” with bean bags, soft lighting, and headphones for students who need a little extra quiet time. This is particularly helpful for students who may feel overwhelmed and need a break from sensory input.

#9 Coloring

No, coloring isn’t just for kids! Why else do you think they make adult coloring books? It’s a calming, therapeutic activity that many students enjoy.Offer coloring pages that are age-appropriate and appealing, like this mindfulness and positivity-themed coloring pages.

An image featuring the title "Mindfulness & Positivity Coloring Pages" with three examples of intricate coloring pages. The first page has the word "SMILE" in bold letters, the second shows a large flower being colored, and the third reads "THINK POSITIVE." Color pencils are displayed at the bottom of the image.

#10 Functional Worksheets

Keep downtime educational by using worksheets that reinforce important life, job or social-emotional skills  for your transition students. Whether it’s a dollar-up, days of the week, or telling time worksheets, they can help your students build the skills they need. They’re also perfect for students who prefer individual, quiet activities!

An image with the title "Differentiated Worksheets" featuring two example worksheets. One is titled "Mental Health," and the other is titled "About Down Syndrome." The image highlights that these worksheets are accessible, available in both print and digital formats, and come in three levels. A "Click here!" button is shown at the bottom.

#11 Interactive Virtual Rooms

For students who can access a computer independently, interactive virtual rooms can be a fun option! Check out this interactive virtual room resource. The digital rooms are designed to look like real environments and include clickable items that lead to activities focused on life, job, and leisure skills.

An image with the heading "Interactive Virtual Rooms" showing a person holding a tablet. On the tablet screen, there is a virtual room with a teal sofa, a coffee table with a game controller and headphones, and a giraffe decoration on the wall. A button that says "Click here!" is at the bottom right.

It’s a great way to mix fun and learning!

#12 Independent Reading

Create a small classroom library or have digital reading options for your special needs students who can already read. You can include books or stories on different topics like social skills, life skills, or even high-interest fiction. Let your students pick something that catches their eye!

A student sitting cross-legged on the floor in a library, reading a book. The student is wearing a hoodie, headphones around their neck, and a backpack.

Keep Downtime Predictable

If you know downtime is coming, try setting up a “downtime station” where students can find everything they need. This could be a shelf or an area in your classroom with the task boxes, coloring pages, and other resources. Make sure everything is easily accessible, so your students can independently grab an activity without needing too much help from you.

Also, create a visual schedule showing what downtime looks like. Some students may get anxious if they don’t know how long the break will last or what’s coming next, so using a timer can be helpful. For some students, knowing exactly when downtime will end allows them to better transition back to their classes.

Downtime doesn’t have to be unproductive or chaotic. By providing your students with structured choices and activities, you can ensure they stay engaged while also giving them the freedom to choose how to spend their time.

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