14 Engaging Breathing Exercises for Kids: Printable Activities for Home and Classroom
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Printable: 14 Fun Breathing Exercises for Kids for Home or the Classroom
In today’s fast-paced world, children often experience stress and anxiety, whether from school pressures, social interactions, or just the challenges of growing up. Teaching kids simple breathing exercises can provide them with valuable tools to manage their emotions, improve focus, and promote a sense of calm. Here, we present 14 fun breathing exercises designed for kids that can be easily implemented at home or in the classroom. Each exercise encourages mindfulness while being both engaging and enjoyable!
1. Balloon Breathing
How to Do It:
Children can place their hands on their bellies, take a deep breath in through their noses, and imagine they are inflating a balloon. As they exhale slowly through their mouths, they can picture the balloon deflating.
Why It’s Fun:
This visualisation helps kids understand the concept of deep breathing while making it playful and relatable.
2. Bubble Breathing
How to Do It:
Have the children pretend to blow bubbles. Inhale deeply through their noses, and then blow out slowly as if they are blowing bubbles.
Why It’s Fun:
Kids love bubbles! This exercise helps them practice controlled exhalation while enjoying the imagery of creating beautiful bubbles.
3. Flower and Candle Breathing
How to Do It:
Instruct the children to pretend they are holding a flower in one hand and a candle in the other. They can inhale through their noses as if smelling the flower and exhale softly as if blowing out the candle.
Why It’s Fun:
The dual imagery encourages calmness and focuses their attention on their breath.
4. Racing Heart
How to Do It:
Instruct children to place their hands on their hearts while taking quick, shallow breaths. On the count of three, they slowly inhale for a count of four, hold for a count of four, and exhale for a count of four.
Why It’s Fun:
Kids will enjoy noticing their racing heartbeat and then calmly slowing it down, making them more aware of their emotions.
5. Animal Breaths
How to Do It:
- Lion Breath: Inhale deeply through the nose, then exhale with a loud “roar” while sticking out the tongue.
- Snake Breath: Inhale deeply, then let out a slow hissing sound while exhaling.
Why It’s Fun:
Kids can imitate animals, adding a layer of creativity to their breathing practice and encouraging joyful participation.
6. Ocean Wave Breathing
How to Do It:
Children can sit cross-legged and place their hands on their knees. As they inhale through their noses, have them raise their arms overhead, and as they exhale through their mouths, let their arms slowly fall back down.
Why It’s Fun:
The smooth up-and-down motion mimics ocean waves, making it a calming visual and auditory experience.
7. Counting Breaths
How to Do It:
Have the children count their breaths as they inhale and exhale. They can count to five, then repeat, focusing on the rhythm of their breathing.
Why It’s Fun:
This helps children practice mindfulness and concentration, turning breathing into a game of counting.
8. Cloud Breathing
How to Do It:
Children can close their eyes and imagine lying on a soft cloud. As they breathe in, they imagine the cloud lifting them higher; as they breathe out, they picture themselves sinking gently into the pillow of soft fluff.
Why It’s Fun:
The imaginative element encourages relaxation and a feeling of weightlessness.
9. Starfish Breathing
How to Do It:
Instruct children to stretch out their fingers like a starfish. As they inhale, they can spread their fingers wider, and as they exhale, they can bring them back together.
Why It’s Fun:
This exercise connects breath with movement, making it tactile and engaging for young explorers!
10. Superhero Breathing
How to Do It:
Children can stand tall like a superhero. Inhale deeply to fill their lungs, then exhale powerfully, striking a superhero pose.
Why It’s Fun:
This exercise empowers children, giving them a sense of strength and confidence through their breathing.
11. Dinosaur Breathing
How to Do It:
Encourage children to take deep “roars” as they inhale and make dinosaur sounds as they exhale. They can even stomp their feet to add to the dinosaur imagery.
Why It’s Fun:
Kids love dinosaurs, and this exercise allows them to channel their favourite prehistoric creatures while practising controlled breathing.
12. Pizza Breath
How to Do It:
Have children pretend to hold a pizza slice. They can inhale through their noses, "smelling" the pizza, and then exhale, imagining blowing on it to cool it down.
Why It’s Fun:
Who doesn’t love pizza? This makes for a deliciously fun way to embrace mindful breathing!
13. Rainbow Breathing
How to Do It:
Children can visualize a rainbow as they breathe. Inhale as they picture one colour of the rainbow and exhale while vividly imagining the next colour.
Why It’s Fun:
The colourful imagery brightens their mood while making the breathing exercise vibrant and enjoyable.
14. Guided Imagery Breathing
How to Do It:
Lead children on a short imaginative journey, such as exploring a favourite place or flying through the air. Encourage them to breathe in deeply during the adventure and exhale while letting go of any worries.
Why It’s Fun:
This exercise fosters creativity and imagination while helping children find peace through guided narratives.
Conclusion
Incorporating these breathing exercises into the daily lives of children can create a positive impact on their mental wellbeing, helping them to navigate their emotions better. Whether at home or in the classroom, these fun and engaging activities provide children with essential tools for relaxation and concentration. Simply print out this guide and start your journey towards a calmer and more mindful environment today!
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