5 Fast Finisher Activities That Actually Build Thinking Skills
- Janis Lodge
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 17
Ever hear this five minutes into your lesson?
"I'm done! Now what?"
If you're teaching upper elementary, chances are you’ve got a few students who fly through their work—and leave you scrambling to keep them meaningfully engaged.
The truth is, most fast finisher tasks feel like busywork. Word searches, coloring pages, and time-fillers might keep students quiet, but they don’t challenge them to think.
It doesn’t have to be that way!
Below are five print-and-go enrichment activities that not only keep fast finishers busy but also strengthen critical thinking, creativity, and perseverance. These are low-prep, easy to implement, and perfect for 3rd–5th grade classrooms.
Skill focus: Deductive reasoning, problem-solving, perseverance
Prep: Print & go
Try it free → Download the free Logic Puzzle Sampler
One of the easiest ways to engage early finishers? Offer a rotating set of logic puzzles in a designated “enrichment binder” or folder. I like to have these all printed ahead of time, and inserted into the student binders.
If you want to try it out, here is a free set that includes logic puzzles, “Which One Doesn’t Belong?” puzzles, “Finish the Picture”, number challenges, and brain teasers. These aren't just fun—they push students to think flexibly and explain their reasoning, making them ideal for enrichment, GATE, or morning work.
Try this tip: Assign a “puzzle of the week” to spark discussion or friendly competition.
Skill focus: Creative thinking, writing skills, abstract thinking
Prep: None—just print or project
Get the yearlong set → Emoji Writing Prompts for 3rd–6th
These have become a top student favorite…they will be BEGGING to do this activity again and again! Students use the interactive emoji pieces to construct creative narratives, informational pieces, or opinion writing. You can integrate any ELA standards you are currently focusing on.
Fast finishers can choose from one of the Emoji Writing templates, or you can have them select 5 emojis from a prompt bank, or even design their own. It’s the perfect blend of structured choice and creative freedom.
Teacher tip: Set up an “Emoji Writing Station” with pre-printed templates on colored paper, colored pencils, scissors, and glue sticks for added excitement. Want a whole book of templates? Grab that HERE.
(*I am an Amazon affiliate, so I receive a small commission at no cost to you, if you use my link for your supplies. Thank you for your support!)
Skill focus: Critical thinking, metacognition, academic conversations
Prep: None if you already use icons / or find them HERE
Already using the Depth & Complexity icons in your classroom? Encourage students to revisit a completed task or reading passage and respond to a quick extension prompt using an icon.
Examples:
“What rules or guidelines shaped this work?”
“What big ideas connect this to something else we've learned?”
“What unanswered questions still remain?”
I like to display a “Prompt of the Week” in the classroom, to focus on one icon each week. You can display a weekly icon and question, or use prompt cards that students can keep in their folders for independent use.
STEM Design Challenges
Skill focus: Engineering design, creativity, collaboration
Prep: Minimal (paper, tape, basic materials)
Fast finishers thrive when given open-ended design challenges! Provide a small bin of materials (index cards, paper, tape, string, etc.) and give students a STEM card with a mini-challenge.
Example prompts:
Build the tallest free-standing tower using only index cards.
Create a bridge that can hold 10 pennies using 1 sheet of paper.
Design a paper helicopter and test its spin time.
These can be partner-based or independent and make great Friday enrichment activities too.
Critical Thinking Task Cards
Skill focus: Logical reasoning, creative thinking, communication
Prep: Print & store in a deck or binder
Task cards that pose brain-stretching scenarios or questions are another easy way to keep early finishers engaged.
Examples:
What would happen if gravity only worked at night?
Convince me that homework should be banned—with evidence!
Design a new system for how your classroom should be organized.
You can rotate these cards weekly, use them in centers, or let students pick from a "thinking menu" when they finish early.
You can do this!
Early finishers aren’t a classroom management problem—they’re an opportunity. With the right tools in place, you can redirect their energy into meaningful learning that builds real thinking skills.
Start simple:
📌 Print a few logic puzzles
📌 Set up an emoji writing station
📌 Try a weekly Depth & Complexity prompt
✨ And grab your free Logic Puzzle sampler here to start tomorrow!