14 Fun Breathing Exercises for Kids: Printable Guide for Home or the Classroom

Breathing exercises are not only beneficial for relaxation but also a fantastic way for children to manage their emotions and focus their minds. This printable guide introduces 14 engaging breathing exercises tailored for kids, making it easy to integrate into daily routines either at home or in the classroom.

1. Bubble Breaths: Pretend to blow bubbles. Inhale deeply through the nose, then exhale slowly while making a “whoosh” sound, like blowing bubbles into the air. It helps to visualise the gentle floating of bubbles.

2. Dragon Breaths: Inhale deeply and exhale forcefully, imagining you’re a dragon breathing out fire. This exercise is great for releasing energy and having fun!

3. Flower and Candle: Imagine holding a flower and a candle. Breathe in through the nose like you’re smelling the flower, and exhale softly as if blowing out the candle.

4. Animal Breathing: Choose an animal (like a lion or a bear) and mimic how it breathes. For example, a lion’s roar can be a powerful exhale, engaging children’s imaginations.

5. Balloon Breathing: Place hands on the belly and breathe in deeply. Feel the belly expand like a balloon, then slowly exhale to release the air.

6. Sailing the Ocean: Imagine you are on a boat. Inhale deeply as your boat rises with the wave and exhale gently as it sinks back down.

7. Counting Breaths: Breathe in for a count of four, hold for a count of four, and exhale for a count of four. This promotes focus and helps calm racing thoughts.

8. Rainbow Breathing: Visualise a rainbow. As you inhale, imagine each colour—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet—filling your lungs with warmth and positivity.

9. Hissing Snake: Inhale deeply through the nose, then exhale slowly through the mouth, making a hissing sound like a snake.

10. Starfish Breathing: Extend arms and legs like a starfish. Inhale while raising arms, and exhale while lowering them, engaging in gentle movement.

11. Peaceful Paws: Have children imagine they are calming animals. Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth, pausing to feel their bodies relax like a resting animal.

12. Teddy Bear Belly Breathing: Place a small stuffed toy on the belly. As children breathe in, they watch the toy rise, and as they exhale, it lowers. This visual cue encourages mindful breathing.

13. Windmill Breathing: With arms outstretched like windmill blades, inhale and raise arms up, then exhale while lowering them, creating a gentle, calming motion.

14. Magic Wand: Pretend to hold a magic wand, inhaling deeply to gather magical energy and exhaling slowly to release it into the world.

By incorporating these imaginative and playful breathing exercises into your routine, children can learn valuable skills for self-regulation and mindfulness while having fun!