11 Simple Mindfulness Activities For Kids

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11 Simple Mindfulness Activities For Kids

It’s so important to teach our kids how (and why) to be mindful. It’s never too early to start.

Do you practice mindfulness with your kids? Have you wondered about the best mindfulness activities for kids (that are easy, creative and fun)?

It is so important to teach and engage our children about the importance of mindfulness, and about how beneficial being mindful can be to our physical, mental and emotional health (especially in these uncertain times).

We’ve put together a list of 11 simple mindfulness activities for kids that anyone can try today (and are fun too). They are wonderful, calming ways for you and your children to bring some peace to your day.

Which one will you try first?

Mindful Breathing & Meditation

Meditation and deep, mindful breathing has many benefits for both adults and children. Sit comfortably with your child. Take a few deep, calming breaths in through the nose, hold momentarily, and exhale through the mouth.

If you’re interested in learning more, here are two popular children’s books on breathing and mindfulness.

Get your copy of Breathe Like a Bear: 30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere.

Get your copy of I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness.

Are you interested in learning more about meditation for yourself? Check out our post on the seven simple steps of meditation every beginner needs to know.

7 Simple Steps Of Meditation Every Beginner Needs To Know

CHILDREN’S YOGA

Yoga is a wonderful activity to do with your children (with many physical and mental health benefits) to help them be more present (and focused) in their body. There are many excellent YouTube videos, DVDs, and books dedicated to children’s yoga.

Here are two of our favourite books on children’s yoga to help guide your practice with your child.

Get your copy of Good Night Yoga: A Pose-By-Pose Bedtime Story.

Get your copy of The ABCs of Yoga for Kids.

HAND ON HEART

Sit with your child, each of you with your hand over your heart. Simply sit, feel, and focus on the sensation of your beating heart. As you sit, you can also count heart beats. A wonderful tool to help bring calm any time your child feels worried, overwhelmed, or needs to center or ground themselves (simply feel and turn your attention to your heart beat).

RELAX YOUR BODY

Tense and relax, tense and relax. Have your child lie comfortably on the bed or floor to practice tensing and relaxing their muscles. You can relax the body all at once, or slowly focus on releasing one set of muscles at a time, until fully relaxed.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE

An incredibly important activity for children, practicing gratitude (being mindful of and thankful for the little things that matter) boosts happiness, appreciation, and can truly be a life-changing skill to carry into adulthood.

Here is a very popular children’s book on practicing gratitude and mindfulness.

Get your copy of The 3-Minute Gratitude Journal For Kids: A Journal to Teach Children To Practice Gratitude and Mindfulness.

GLITTER JAR

A perfect tool to help an overwhelmed, worried or anxious child find calm within themselves. Create a glitter jar together, and watch the magical, swirling, colourful glitter anytime a few peaceful minutes are needed.

All you need is a jar (with a secure lid), water, glue and glitter of your choice. Many creative examples and instructions are available online.

CLOUD WATCHING & STAR GAZING

One of the most mindful, peaceful activities, lie in the grass with your children and watch the clouds float by or the stars shine at night. Point out the cloud shapes or constellations that you see (maybe even a shooting star), and breathe deeply.

BLOWING BUBBLES

Is there anything more calming than blowing bubbles on a beautiful sunny day and watching them float on the breeze? Every child (and adult) can find joy in the peaceful activity of blowing bubbles.

NATURE WALKS

Spending time outdoors in nature boosts happiness and has amazing benefits for children’s mental and emotional health. Ask your children mindful questions on what they see, hear, smell, and feel while on a nature walk. Breathe in the fresh air.

GARDENING

Get your hands in the dirt, watch things grow. Start to finish, gardening is a wonderfully mindful activity for kids that also has the benefits of being outdoors and in nature (you can start seeds inside too). Caring, tending, watching, patiently waiting, for a bud or leaf to sprout and grow. Keep a gardening journal to mindfully track stages of plant life.

PAINTING & DIAMOND PAINTING

Colour and creativity can be very peaceful, calming and mindful for children (while also building a skill set, motor skills, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment). Painting is the perfect creative, mindful activity (and one that kids almost always love).

Here are some beautiful examples of paint by number kits for children to create their own mindful masterpiece.

Get your Colourful Heart: Paint by Number Kit for Kids.

Get your Petal Girl: Paint by Number Kit for Kids.

Get your Little Turtle: Paint by Number Kit for Kids.

Interested in other mindful, colourful, creative projects? Check out diamond painting for adults and older children (not intended for young children due to small pieces).

Get your Stitch: Diamond Painting Kit for Adults.