Calming activities for kids: breathing and feelings
After school, before bed or in the middle of a meltdown: there are moments when nothing works anymore. Children with ADHD often feel emotions very strongly and need longer to calm down again. Words alone rarely do the trick.
The 4 activities in this area give the body something calming to do: slowly tracing a shape while breathing in rhythm, holding a pose for five breaths or acting out feelings without words while the other person guesses. They suit children from age 4 and take 2 to 6 minutes.
Most of them only need paper and a pencil or a bit of space. Practice the breathing activities in calm moments, then they work better later when things get stormy. As a fixed routine they fit well before homework or at the end of the day.
Here the activities do not get harder, they get slower. They do not replace advice or therapy. If meltdowns or big feelings weigh heavily on your family life, talk to your pediatrician.
The exercises
Frequently asked questions
When do the calming activities work best?
In calm moments and as a fixed routine, for example before homework or bedtime. In the middle of a meltdown, closeness and time usually come first.
What age are they for?
From age 4. Younger children are often happy to join in when you do the activity together as a game.