25+ Simple Calming Activities for Kids and their benefits 

As parents, we know kids can sometimes get overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious. During these moments, it’s important to provide them with calming activities that can help them relax and soothe their nerves. 

Benefits of Calming Activities for Kids 

Reducing stress and anxiety: 

Calming activities can help kids relax and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. It will allow them to focus more on what they do and increase their attention span for other work.

Improving mood: 

Engaging in calming activities can improve kids’ moods and help them feel more positive.

Increasing focus and attention: 

Some calming activities, such as mindful breathing or yoga, can help kids improve their focus and attention span.

They will try more before giving up as calming activities enable them to focus on the goal unless achieved. And kids learn that stress is just a part of life!

Promoting mindfulness: 

Calming activities can promote mindfulness, which is the practice of being present at the moment and aware of one’s thoughts and feelings.

Encouraging self-regulation: 

Kids can learn to regulate their emotions and reactions to stress by engaging in calming activities.

Enhancing creativity: 

Many calming activities, such as coloring or finger painting, can enhance kids’ creativity and imagination.

Improving sleep: 

Calming activities can help kids relax and promote better sleep, which is essential for their overall health and well-being.

Strengthening relationships: 

Engaging in calming activities with parents, siblings, or friends can strengthen relationships and promote bonding.

How do calming activities help kids to grow their confidence? 

Encouraging self-awareness: 

Calming activities such as mindfulness and breathing exercises can help kids become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

This increased self-awareness can help them identify their strengths and areas for growth, which can improve their confidence.

Promoting self-regulation: 

Engaging in calming activities can help kids develop self-regulation skills essential for building confidence.

When kids are able to regulate their emotions and reactions to stress, they feel more in control and confident in their abilities to handle difficult situations.

Boosting creativity:

 Many calming activities like art and music can boost kids’ creativity and imagination. When kids are able to express themselves creatively, they feel more confident in their abilities to think outside the box and come up with unique solutions.

Enhancing social skills: 

Some calming activities, such as playing with a pet or participating in group yoga, can enhance kids’ social skills and promote bonding with others.

When kids feel connected to others and are able to navigate social situations, they feel more confident in themselves and their ability to form relationships.

Promoting a positive self-image: 

Calming activities can help kids develop a positive self-image by promoting feelings of calm, relaxation, and self-care.

When kids feel good about themselves and take care of their physical and emotional needs, they feel more confident in their ability to handle challenges and achieve their goals.

Best Calming activities for kids 

Mindful breathing: 

Teach your child to focus on their breath, taking slow and deep breaths in and out. This can help them calm down and refocus their attention.

Coloring: 

Coloring is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Provide your child with coloring books and colored pencils or markers.

Listening to music: 

Playing calming music can help soothe your child’s nerves. You can create a playlist of relaxing songs or classical music.

Yoga: 

Yoga is a great way to promote relaxation and mindfulness. Many yoga poses, such as downward dog and child’s pose, are suitable for children.

Bubble wrap popping: 

The sound of popping bubble wrap can be satisfying and calming for some kids.

Reading: 

Reading a book can be a great way for your child to relax and unwind. Choose books that are age-appropriate and have calming themes. On the other hand, you can sit with your kid and read out a calming book to him/her too!

Nature walks: 

Spending time in nature can be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Take your child for a walk in the park or a nearby nature trail.

Meditation: 

Many kid-friendly meditation apps and guided meditations are available online to help your child relax.

Playdough: 

Playing with playdough can be a calming and sensory activity for some kids. They can also get creative with these doughs and end up calming down all other thoughts they may have been having. 

Writing in a journal: 

Encourage your child to write down their thoughts and feelings in a journal. This can help them process their emotions and reduce stress.

Hot tea: 

Sipping on a cup of hot tea can be a calming and comforting activity for some kids.

Baking: 

Baking can be a fun and relaxing activity for kids. Choose simple recipes that your child can help with, such as cookies or muffins.

Hugging a stuffed animal: 

Hugging a stuffed animal can provide comfort and security for some kids.

Deep pressure therapy: 

Applying deep pressure to your child’s body, such as with a weighted blanket, can help them feel more calm and more grounded.

Visualization: 

Encourage your child to visualize a calming scene, such as a peaceful beach or a quiet forest.

Finger painting:

 Finger painting can be a fun and relaxing sensory activity for some kids.

Breathing exercises: 

Teach your child different breathing exercises, such as belly breathing or alternate nostril breathing.

Such breathing exercises will be a footstone of them moving towards meditation at an early age. This will certainly help them throughout their life when they are stressed or anxious.

Sensory bins: 

Creating sensory bins with items such as sand, water, or rice can provide some kids a calming and soothing sensory experience.

Cuddling with a pet: 

Cuddling with a pet can greatly reduce stress and anxiety for some kids. If you have a god in your home, it can single-handedly help your kid to calm down whenever they feel stressed! 

Stretching: 

Simple stretching exercises can help your child relax and release tension. When kids stretch, their bodies release hormones that have been causing stress and anxiety. It will be great if you encourage your kid to stretch in the fresh air as it will benefit them the most.

Counting: 

Encourage your child to count slowly and mindfully, focusing on their breath and the numbers. It will help them enhance their patience and, at the same time, silence their racing thoughts.

Taking a bath: 

Taking a warm bath with bubbles or bath bombs can be a relaxing and calming activity for some kids. Try playing fun bath time songs to further make them enjoy themselves and induce calmness in them through the process. 

Listening to guided imagery: 

Listening to guided imagery can help your child visualize calming scenes and reduce anxiety.

Progressive muscle relaxation: 

Teach your child to tense and relax different muscle groups in their body, starting from their feet and working their way up to their head.

Slime: 

Slime can be a fun and calming activity for kids. Making and playing with slime can be an engaging and sensory experience that can help kids relax and reduce stress.

The act of making slime can be a calming and therapeutic activity for kids. It involves measuring and mixing ingredients, which can help kids focus their attention and develop their fine motor skills. The texture of slime can also be soothing and enjoyable to manipulate.

Water play toys: 

Many water play toys are available, such as water guns, water balloons, and floating toys. These can be a fun and calming activity for kids, providing a playful outlet for energy and stress.

With these toys, you can have fun time with your kid at the swimming pool or bathtub. It’ll instantly calm them down and boost their mood for the good!