15 Mindfulness Activities for Preschoolers
Mindfulness is a great skill for young kids to learn.
It can help them feel calmer, pay attention better, and understand their feelings. While little kids can’t sit still and meditate for long, there are lots of fun ways to teach them about mindfulness.
Why Teach Mindfulness to Preschoolers?
Teaching mindfulness to preschoolers can help them:
- Focus better
- Stay calm when things are stressful
- Feel less worried
- Understand themselves and others better
- Think more clearly
- Sleep better and feel good about themselves
When we teach kids mindfulness early, we can help set them up with valuable life skills as their brains develop.
15 Mindfulness Activities for Preschoolers
Here are some fun mindfulness activities that work well for young kids:
Breathing Games
1. Belly Buddy
Have kids lie down with a stuffed animal on their belly. Ask them to breathe deeply and watch their toy move up and down.
2. Pinwheel Breathing
Use a pinwheel to show deep breaths. Kids can blow on it slowly, focusing on their breath.
3. Bunny Breathing
Take three quick sniffs through the nose, then one long breath out through the mouth, like a bunny.
Using the Senses
4. Nature Walk
Go for a walk outside and ask kids to listen quietly to the sounds around them.
5. Sensory Bins
Fill bins with things like sand or water for kids to touch and explore.
6. Five Senses Game
Ask kids to notice what they can see, hear, smell, feel, and taste right now.
Movement Activities
7. Animal Yoga
Do simple yoga poses that look like animals, mixing movement and breathing.
8. Mindful Dancing
Play music and let kids dance freely, then have them freeze and notice how their body feels.
9. Eagle Flying
Have kids “fly” slowly around the room, breathing in as their arms go up and out as they go down.
Calming Techniques
10. Glitter Jar
Shake a jar filled with water and glitter, and watch it settle. Use it as a timer for quiet moments.
11. Worry Monsters
Draw or make “worry monsters” that can eat up kids’ worries.
12. Imagining Stories
Tell a short, relaxing story, like imagining floating on a cloud.
Being Creative
13. Mindful Coloring
Give kids nature pictures to color or let them color real leaves with crayons.
14. Feelings Circle
Sit in a circle and let kids talk about how they’re feeling.
15. Making Patterns
Create simple circular patterns using things from nature like leaves or rocks.
Tips for Teaching Mindfulness to Young Kids
- Keep activities short, usually 1-5 minutes for little kids.
- Use words kids can understand and lots of pictures.
- Show kids how to be mindful by doing it yourself.
- Add mindfulness to things kids already do, like before nap time or meals.
- Praise kids for trying, not for being “good” at mindfulness.
- Make it fun – don’t force kids to do it if they don’t want to.
By doing these simple mindfulness activities, we can help young kids learn how to handle their feelings, focus better, and feel calmer. Remember, doing a little bit every day can make a big difference in how kids feel and grow.
