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27 Calming Activities For Kids Of All Ages

January 31, 2023 //  by Zoe Sharp

Want to give your child the tools to thrive in school, at home, and in life? Try some of these captivating activities to help your child find peace and quiet. They’ll help your learners develop essential skills for managing their  emotions, social well-being, and mental health. Whether it’s outside, in the classroom, or at home, these activities provide children with the tools to find peace and develop healthy coping mechanisms. As a bonus, children will be able to independently use these skills as they get older to better manage their own feelings. 

In the Classroom

1. Journaling 

girl writes in journal

Journaling is a fantastic routine for children to begin at any age. It gives them the opportunity to write down their feelings and life events and brings a sense of calm to them. Allow your students to pick a journal they love and then help them develop a practice of self-reflection.

Learn More: Parenting For Brain

2. Rainbow Breathing

Free rainbow breathing deep breathing exercise for kids

“Breath in, Breath Out”. Teaching a variety of breathing activities helps students to independently calm themselves down; developing self-regulation strategies. Download simple breathing exercises to try out with your learners.

Learn More: OT Tool Box

3. Go Noodle

Get your student’s wiggles out with Go Noodle; a website that offers videos, games, and activities that promote movement and mindfulness for children. You can create a free account and pick an activity that releases energy, calms the body, and helps children refocus. 

Learn More: GoNoodle | Get Moving

4. Mandala Drawing

Mandala coloring is calming for kids because it allows them to focus on a specific task; promoting relaxation and mindfulness. The repetitive nature of coloring mandalas can help reduce anxiety and stress while also providing a creative outlet for self-expression. Plus, the symmetry and patterns may create a sense of balance and harmony! 

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

5. Soothing Music

Calming music can be great for kids as it can reduce stress and anxiety, and improve focus and concentration. It can also provide a sense of comfort and security; helping create a peaceful environment. 

Learn More: KIDZEN – Music For Kids

6. Smiling Minds

Why not help your child learn the strategy of mindfulness in the classroom? This free website offers guided meditation for children of all ages, along with lesson plans and practice materials. 

Learn More: Smiling Minds

7. Water Class Plants

image of child performing plant care by watering plant in Montessori calssroom.

Create a peaceful space by having a watering can available for children to tend to the plants in the class. This is a great outlet for when children are feeling angry or frustrated. 

Learn More: Reach for Montessori

8. Drink Water

How Drinking Water Can Soothe Your Child's Anxiety

Nothing is more simple than just offering students a sip of water! Water plays such an important role in how our body functions; from calming anxiety to helping with attention and focus. 

Learn More: Monday Morning Moms

9. Glitter Jar

Find a space in your classroom where you can set up a “Calm Corner”. Use a glitter jar and guided calming worksheet so that students can independently calm down whenever needed. This is a brilliant way to support students’ social and emotional learning and self-control. 

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

At Home

10. Guided Drawing

Drawing allows children to express themselves creatively. A guided drawing session is a great way to limit a child’s need for decision-making and allow them just to relax and enjoy. Try a nice nature-inspired drawing for added relaxation. 

Learn More: Art Hub for Kids

11. Listen to an Audio Book

Huge List of the Best Children's Books on Epic! Reading App

Listening to an audiobook can help children relax and let their imaginations run wild! Consider a free website like Get Epic which offers a wide variety of audiobooks for many different ages, interests, and reading levels. 

Learn More: Get Epic

12. Nature Puzzles

Solving a puzzle often brings a sense of accomplishment; providing a feeling of satisfaction and a self-esteem boost. The repetitive nature of fitting the pieces together can also provide a sense of tranquility, and promote focus, concentration, and mindfulness.

Learn More: Amazon

13. Practicing Yoga

Yoga, mindfulness, and stretching can help children release tension and improve body awareness. Cosmic Kids, a YouTube channel, is a great resource to use at home. Children can pick themed yoga classes and be guided independently through their practice. 

Learn More: Cosmic Kids

14. Cozy Cave

Spending time as a family doesn't have to cost a fortune. This Blanket Fort Family Night is the perfect inexpensive yet fun activity for your family. Grab some blankets, pillows, and a little imagination and get ready to build the best blanket fort ever.

If you need a reason to build a fort then look no further! Create a cozy cave fort with pillows and blankets for bedtime to reduce stimulation. Play quiet music and turn it into a game to help kids calm down. 

Learn More: Littles and Me

15. Mini Spa Day 

Set up quiet music, run a hot bath, and light a candle to have a mini spa day with your child. You can get them involved by mixing an easy face mask together. Everyone needs a day to themselves sometimes! 

Learn More: The Wiegand’s

16. Visualization

When you read a guided relaxation script to your child, you're helping him see the benefits of relaxation or meditation at an early age. Help your child relax, relieve stress, settle anxiety, and fall asleep easily with these meditation scripts.

Visualization can help children relax and focus on positive imagery. Research shows that when children or adults imagine themselves in a calming environment, their stress levels are reduced. Guide your child through this by encouraging them to imagine a peaceful space and the senses they would experience there. 

Learn More: Green Child

17. Play with Slime

Calming Lavender Slime Recipe To Try Right Now, Anti Stress Slime Recipe, aromatherapy Slime Recipe, The Best Liquid Starch Slime, The Best Calming Lavender Slime Recipe, How to make The Best Calming Jiggly Slime Recipe, how to make Anxiety Slime, Slime Recipe with essential oils, A Wonderful Therapeutic Slime Recipe, Slime Science, Plus Slime Videos with How to Make Slime Instructions and DIY Slime Recipes

Ooey gooey slime or kinetic sand can be a fun way for children to release tension and find a sense of calm. Plus, who doesn’t love smooshing it in their hands? Consider amping up the relaxation by making lavender-smelling slime. 

Learn More: Natural Beach Living

18. Singing 

Singing to reduce anxiety in children

Singing can help children find peace by providing a creative outlet for emotions, promoting deep breathing, and reducing stress through the release of endorphins. It can also be a fun and enjoyable activity that can distract from negative thoughts and feelings!

Learn More: Brisbane Kids

Head Outside 

19. Nature Walk

Boy and girl looking at a map and a view while on a nature walk. Fostering a love of nature in your kids.

Need a sense of calm? There’s no better place than the great outdoors! A nature walk can help kids connect with their surroundings; reducing stress and anxiety. Taking a walk in nature can also provide an opportunity for children to explore and learn about the natural world.

Learn More: Nature and Thrive

20. Look at the Clouds

Cloud Watching

Observing the clouds is a calming activity for children as it helps them focus on something other than their worries. It can also be a fun and creative way to spend time outdoors since you can search for the shapes the clouds make. 

Learn More: Mother Natured

21. Nature Journaling

Nature Journaling for Kids

Grab a notebook and head outside for some simple journaling! They can reflect on their experiences in nature, notice what they see around them, and calm their thoughts. What better way to spend a sunny afternoon? 

Learn More: Tales of a Mountain Mama

22. Outdoor Art

Nature Journaling for Kids

Drawing and painting are enjoyed by many kids! Why not easily mix things up and take the materials outside? These simple activities have minimal supplies and bring an immediate sense of calm. 

Learn More: Tales of a Mountain Mama

23. Bird Watching

Did you ever think you might become an avid bird watcher? Whether you had pondered this hobby or thought it was a strange idea, research shows that “hearing and seeing birds can improve people’s well-being for up to eight hours”. So, get outside and start searching for hummingbirds, sparrows, and more! 

Learn More: Time

24. Blow Bubbles

Blow bubbles with your child to create a fun and calm experience. Extended exhales while blowing helps to slow down the breath and release tension. Have a bubble-blowing contest or blow bubbles over your child as they lay down and watch them float! 

Learn More: St. David’s Center

25. Get Moving

Release endorphins and reduce stress for your child by offering them a destination to run to. For example, they could run between two trees, to the edge of your fence, or another path near your location. Giving them a destination minimizes the need to make decisions and just run free! 

Learn More: Therapy Tree

26. Go Climbing

Ashima Shiraishi reaps the benefits of starting climbing as a kid, on Horizon (V15), Sleepy Rave (V15) & “Young Guns” - Rock and Ice Magazine

Exercise is a wonderful way for children to channel their emotions. Whether they are feeling too energetic, nervous, or overly frustrated, climbing a tree, or rock wall, or going to a playground to climb are all great options to help calm themselves. 

Learn More: The Climbing Experience

27. Nature Sensory Bin

how we learn with a simple nature sensory bin

When outside, walk with your child to find various items that could be added to a nature sensory bin. Perhaps a soft rock, a crunchy leaf, or a pine cone. Put all of these together to create a soothing, tactile experience.

Learn More: How Wee Learn

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