101 Magically Relaxing Activities for Kids [That Work] (2023)

Use these calming activities for toddlers to help toddlers, tweens, and teens learn how to calm down and relax! A great list that includes ideas for indoors, outdoors and even virtual.

Children are full of energy.I know this because I have two energetic children and I also teach first grade.

Fortunately, most children are able to channel their energy and emotions properly most of the time, as long as they are given activities and activity.Age appropriate expectations.

But even so, there are moments when frustration, overwhelm, sadness, tiredness or anger take over us.

This is completely natural and provides opportunities for adults to step in to help act as emotional coaches, teaching children strategies for calming down and effectively managing their energy and emotions.

It would be great if we could tell them to "calm down", but it's not that simple. And most of the time, it makes things worse.

Children, adolescents and even adults do not always know how to calm down. Instead, they must learn to slow down and regulate their emotions, just like we learn to read or ride a bike.

One of the best ways to teach children to relax is to involve them in calming activities.

How to make children calm down

The difficult thing is that there is no one strategy, method or activity that works for all children.

Each child deals with excess energy and emotions differently, depending on the situation.

This is especially true for children with autism, anxiety, or anger management issues.

That's why it's important to have a set of ideas and activities that you're comfortable with so you can explore what works best for your child.

And lucky for you, today we're sharing a great list of great resources for calming down kids.

The activities listed below help children identify and regulate their own emotions or process additional physical energy. Some of them will also engage their brains with method inputs that they may not have experienced before, but which can have a profound impact on their ability to reset and re-center.

These calming strategies for kids will also help reduce stress and anxiety so they can focus on having fun, learning, or just being kids!

101 relaxing activities for children

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relaxing sensory activities

Sensory play isn't just for toddlers. Older children can also benefit from sensory activities! Use this list as aInspiration to inspire children.of all ages in relaxing sensory experiences.

• Crystal calm.These jars or bottles are usually filled with glitter and water or glycerin and have a great calming effect. The next time your little one needs a healthy way to calm down, make one together and watch him relax as you shake him and watch the glitter fade away.
• Sensory container.A sensory bin is nothing more than a large bathtub filled with objects of different sizes, shapes, textures, and materials. They work by providing sensory information in the form of sight, hearing, touch, and smell.
• modeling massClay is more than an art supply for preschoolers. It can be a powerful tool for children of all ages to knead, roll, or shape dough while calming down and relaxing.
• stress ballsThis is a great way to relieve aggressive frustration, reduce stress, and provide healthy sensory input.
• Molequins.In addition to being fashionable, these plushies can provide an amazing sensory experience and help soothe little ones while they play.
• Culture.Slime is also a great tool for kids to engage in calm and quiet play.
• Oobleck.This non-Newtonian fluid can provide quiescent activity for a long period of time. Oobleck is firm when tensed and fluid when held still. This transformation is amazing for kids and interacting with Oobleck will instantly change their mood. It can also be quite messy, so don't say I didn't warn you 😉
• Browse Games.They work like a sensory spy game. They are fun, but they also require concentration, so children inadvertently calm down.
• Take a shower or bath.Water can be incredibly calming and relaxing. If one of my kids is upset or anxious, we put him in the tub or shower, and when he jumps in, his mood has changed completely.
• shaken toy.There are a variety of different toys that work best for different types of children. Let them find what works best for them.
• bird seed set.Running your fingers through the birdseed can be a comforting sensory experience, similar to running your hands through the sand.
• Use a heavy blanket.Weighted blankets work by putting extra pressure on the body. The nervous system processes the pressure and releases serotonin, which can improve mood and regulate breathing and heart rate.
• dry brushingOdry brush methodUsed by many professionals, such as occupational therapists, to help calm children with gentle sensory input, but can easily be done at home.
• bubble wrap.This is one of my kids favorite things to do! It's simple, but they love it.
• Roll up like a burrito.It's like being wrapped up, but like a big kid. The pressure provides a deep sense of calm and relaxation.
• Orbeez.These have a texture like no other and are perfect for squeezing and playing.

Relaxing outdoor activities

Getting involved with nature is a great way to calm down even the most troublesome kids. Being outdoors gives them space to run, play or yell in a safe environment. While experiencing the beauty of the outdoors can be enough on its own, here are some great relaxing activities to do outside.

• burst bubblesBubbles are great fun and relaxing for people of all ages.
• Looking at the clouds.Look for shapes and signs as the clouds roll by.
• Take a walk in nature.Sometimes a walk in nature is enough.
• Choose flowers.Finding beautiful wild flowers and making a beautiful bouquet is a lovely activity!
• Look for four-leaf clovers.Let the kids chase a lucky four-leaf clover.
• Treasure hunt in nature.Keep it easy or hard depending on your age.
• Look for constellations.Once the stars appear, lie on your back and find the shapes in the sky.
• sidewalk chalk.The sidewalk chalk set provides sensory stimulation and allows children to be creative or even active. take a look at theseeasy sidewalk chalk ideasfor inspiration.
• Make a daisy wreath.Intertwine the daisies to make a pretty wreath.
• sit in the sunOn a beautiful hot day, let the children sit in the warm sun and let its glow soothe you. Vitamin D is an important regulator of children's mood.
• Make a mud pie.This one is messy, but it's a classic quiet outdoor activity.
• Balance slowly.Encourage children to swing as slowly as possible.
• Sit in a hammock.These calm down on their own!
• Sit near a campfire.Looking at fire has a special way of bringing peace and calm to a situation.
• Bird watching.Ask the children to sit quietly and look for birds and see if they can identify them. Bird feeders make this even more attractive!

relaxing indoor activities

Sometimes the little ones needbrain breaksand help regulate emotions. If you're looking for some easy ideas for relaxing activities for kids to do indoors, use some of these.

• Write your emotions.Sometimes the best way to calm down is to write down what you are feeling or experiencing.
• observe partsAquariums are captivating and fascinating for children.
• Colorant.Adults have discovered the calming power of coloring too! we love theseMeditative coloring books for children.
• GarabatearGive your child a sheet of paper and a drawing tool and let him scribble.
• Lego.Legos are a classic because they allow kids to spend hours creating and playing independently when they need some time to cool down.
• thread beadsYou can have the kids make jewelry, or younger kids can string pony beads on it.pipe cleaners.
• Sand art.Pour different colored sand into containers to create beautiful layered works of art.
• Play with blocks.Let the little ones build towers and houses and everything that comes to mind.
• Do crosswords.Engage your brain with a little word game.
• emotion gameUse this activity to identify and name big emotions that children may not be able to recognize.
• Busy bags.These are great to make ahead of time for the kids to play with during quiet time.
• writing on a blackboard.Have the children draw or write on a large board.
• tie cards.Placing cards requires concentration and precision, which can help redirect energy so children calm down.
• Puzzle.A quiet and pleasant activity that is not stimulating.
• memory game.These can be as easy or as difficult as you like, depending on the child's ability.
• Nut.Coloring is a great way for children to express themselves through art.

relaxing virtual activities

Virtual calming activities are a great way to help children calm their minds and bodies when you can't be physically with them. This would also be a great addition to remote learning classrooms.

• Keep a digital journal.Let the children keep a digital journal that they write daily or weekly.
• digital drawingSimple digital painting is a great way to create virtually.
• Guided Breathing.It's easy with avideo de Youtube, or through Zoom calls.
• Video games.Some fitness-focused video games have built-in relaxing activities like yoga, meditation, and guided breathing.
• Live cameras from the zoo.There are several zoos that offerLive cameras from your animal enclosures.
• Virtual tangrams.This is a great calming activity that also engages the frontal lobe of the brain!
• Board games.Many children's board games are available.play online free.
• Relaxing videos.there are someVideos on YouTube that calm you downor provide relaxation.
• Guided Meditation.there are someYoutube videosThey make it specifically for kids.
• wort clouds.This free program allows children to create their own digital art.
• Virtual visits to museums.This is a calm and quiet activity that will also engage your brain!
• pixel art.Children fill in the pixels with color to create their own pixelated images.
• e-books.Children can read with their tablet or e-reader.

relaxing listening activities

Engaging in a relaxing activity can use all of your senses or focus on one sensory group. These listening activities are a great way to calm down the body and activate different parts of the brain.

• Play with a rain stick. rain sticksoffers a kid-friendly way to activate the ears and calm the brain.
• Listen to soft music.Instrumental is usually better.
• Find the instrument.Ask children to listen to soft music and pay attention to a specific instrument in the song.
• Guess the sound game.Make different noises like tearing paper or spilling a glass of water and see if they can guess just by listening.
• nature soundsPlay nature sounds to calm and relax children.
• Play the game quietly.Sometimes just being quiet is a powerful way to calm down.
• Copies of som.Ask children to repeat sounds such as buzzing, clicking, and other noises.
• Sing.There is something magical about singing out loud, whether alone or in a group.
• a somaLet children hum their favorite songs or simple lullabies.
• White noise.White noise helps reduce other noise in the room so your brain can calm down.
• the rain soundsNothing soothes like the sound of soft rain.
• Radio show.Radio shows can be a great way for children to calm down and use their ears to listen.
• Identify the animal.Ask the children to guess the animal by the sound it makes.
• Positive Affirmations.make children repeatpositive and calming affirmationshigh. Say things like "I'm at peace" or "I'm calm" to help them relax.

relaxing activities

Children deal with stressful situations in the same way as adults. Your muscles can become tense and can maintain tension in different parts of your body in stressful situations. Engaging him in relaxing activities like these can help him de-stress and calm down.

• Bauchatmung installers.Have children lying on their backs inflate and deflate their bellies with deep breaths. Repeat several times to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and send a signal to the brain that it's time to calm down.
• Say.Set a number based on the child's age and let it count up or down.
• zen gardenSmall gardens with sand and a small rake can relax everyone in a few minutes.
• Sit in a rocking chair.Gentle rocking is a fun way to relax children of all ages by calming the vestibular system.
• Imagine a quiet place.Ask the children to imagine a place where they feel relaxed and at peace.
• Essential oil.Rubbing gentle essential oils, such as lavender, on the inside of your wrist or the soles of your feet can be very relaxing.
• Measure your heart rate.Teach children to find their pulse and measure their heart rate.
• deep breathing.Mindful breathing exercises, such as deep breaths, can help regulate blood pressure and relax the entire body.
• Progressive relaxation of muscle groups.Ask the children to sit or lie down. Start at the top of your head and work your way down to the bottoms of your feet, intentionally contracting each part of your body, then fully relaxing.
• Hot shower.This simple calming activity is a great way to relax at any age.
• A hot drink.Hot tea or hot chocolate is a great way to relax from the inside out.
• imaginary trip.Pick a place, describe it, and let the children travel there in their minds. You can imagine how it looks, feels and sounds.
• Read it calmly.If your child is not old enough to read, let him look at a picture book.
• Low light experience.Turn off all the lights or just leave something simple like flameless candles or Christmas lights on. The lack of bright light helps to relax.

calming exercises

When children are young, it's a good time to teach them how to use different ways of calming down to relieve stress in a situation. Relaxing exercises are a great way to use your mind, body, and breath together to calm yourself down. These can be done alone or in small groups.

One of the best times to do these exercises is after a stressful situation like after school or even before bed.

• Yoga-Posen.Yoga with kids is a great calming activity for the brain and body.
• Brain break data.There are several types of this. The children roll the dice and do the exercise where the dice landed.
• Follow the leader.Let the children take turns being the leader, walking around the room doing different movements for their peers to imitate.
• wanderings of the sensesThis requires a bit of prep work, but it can be a great way to turn a simple outing into a fun and relaxing activity. Instead of just running, children jump, slide, and tiptoe walk.
• Jump on a trampoline.Have the children do a combination of fast and slow jumps and listen to the instructions. You can also let them play one of thesemifun trampoline games
• Walk like an animal.Give the children an animal and let them walk like that animal would.
• Variety.Deep stretches can calm even the most restless children.
• Go for a walk.Sometimes a simple walk is the best.
• Lie on your back.Ask the children to lie on their backs and close their eyes. You are not going to sleep, but it helps to activate and relax the parts of the body that normally move.
• Skip sail.This is an activity that can easily be done alone or in a group and is a great way to burn off some extra energy. Children will enjoy learning all of this.Songs, rhymes and chants to jump rope.
• she was medicinal.Medicine balls are heavy and require a lot of energy to push or throw. Resistance helps children find their peace.
• balance beam.Start with basic balance beams and then move on to more advanced versions.
• Ballet.Ballet is not just for girls and is a beautiful way to express yourself through gentle dance.

Other activities for children:

• 40Clapping games for kids {+Video and printable}

• The best indoor games for the family.

• 30 easy sidewalk chalk ideas that will keep kids busy for hours.

Diploma

It is common for children of all ages to have trouble regulating their emotions. As adults, it is our job to educate them and give them tools to learn to calm down when they are angry, anxious, or out of control and move on.emotional intelligence at home

Another important consideration is that not all children respond to these activities in the same way. We have included 101 relaxing activities for children because you need to try different strategies and ideas to see what works best for your child.

With practice and consistency, children can learn to calm and regulate their emotions. Keep trying until you find an activity that they enjoy and can use whenever they feel the need to relax.