Preschool classrooms are full of life—children laughing, exploring, and moving from one activity to the next. While this energy is a joy to witness, it can also make it challenging for little ones to pause, focus, or manage strong emotions. Teachers often look for ways to bring balance into the day, and that’s where mindfulness becomes a valuable tool.
Mindfulness in early childhood isn’t about expecting kids to sit silently like adults in meditation. Instead, it’s about playful, age-appropriate practices that help children notice their breath, their bodies, and the world around them. Simple mindfulness activities can make transitions smoother, reduce classroom stress, and create a calmer learning environment for everyone.
In this blog, we’ll look at why mindfulness matters for preschoolers and explore a variety of mindfulness activities that teachers can easily weave into their daily routines. From calming breathing games to sensory exercises, these strategies help children build focus, kindness, and self-regulation—skills that will benefit them far beyond the classroom.
Why Mindfulness Matters in Preschool
Mindfulness is more than just quiet time—it builds skills that children carry with them for life. Some benefits include:
- Emotional regulation: Helps children calm down after frustration or excitement.
- Focus and attention: Supports listening skills and readiness for learning.
- Social-emotional growth: Encourages empathy, kindness, and patience with others.
- Stress reduction: Gives children tools to manage separation anxiety or classroom transitions.
By introducing mindfulness early, teachers can create a calmer, more nurturing environment where children feel safe and supported.
7 Calming Mindfulness Activities for the Preschool Classroom
1. Belly Breathing with a Buddy
What it is: A breathing game that uses a stuffed toy to make deep breathing fun. Children learn to watch their “breathing buddy” move up and down, which helps them understand how their own breath works.
How to do it:
- Ask each child to lie down on the floor.
- Place a small stuffed animal on their stomach.
- Tell them to take slow, gentle breaths and watch the toy rise and fall.
Why it works: Young children often struggle to understand “take a deep breath.” This game shows them what breathing looks like in a clear, visual way. It also slows their breathing, which helps the body relax and reduces stress.
2. Glitter Jar Calm-Down
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What it is: A calming jar filled with water, glitter, and glue that children can shake and watch. It turns calming down into something magical and visual.
How to do it:
- Fill a 200 ml clear jar almost to the top with water (leave a little space at the top).
- Add 2–3 teaspoons of glitter in any color or mix of colors.
- Shake the jar and let children watch the glitter swirl.
- Encourage them to take slow breaths as the glitter settles.
Why it works: Children can see how the glitter slowly drifts down, which mirrors how big feelings also settle with time. This gives them patience and helps them understand that it’s okay to pause and calm down before reacting.
3. Listening Walks
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What it is: A mindful walk that helps children pay attention to the sounds around them instead of rushing from one place to another.
How to do it:
- Take children outside for a short, slow walk.
- Ask them to stop and listen closely.
- Prompt them with questions like: “What do you hear—birds, cars, the wind?”
Why it works: Children learn to use their sense of hearing with focus. It teaches them how to notice little details they usually miss, and it also helps them stay calm and connected to their environment.
4. Five Senses Check-In
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What it is: A grounding game that helps children notice things with all five senses. It’s a quick way to bring them back to the present moment.
How to do it:
- Ask children to name one thing they can see, hear, smell, touch, and taste (if safe).
- Give simple prompts like, “Can you see something blue?” or “What’s something soft you can touch?”
Why it works: When children feel overwhelmed, this activity brings their attention to what’s around them. It helps them feel safe, focused, and calmer in their bodies.
5. Mindful Coloring
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What it is: Quiet coloring time that turns a fun art activity into a mindful practice. Children color slowly while listening to calming music.
How to do it:
- Give out coloring pages (mandalas, nature themes, or blank paper).
- Play gentle music in the background.
- Encourage children to color slowly and quietly.
Why it works: Coloring gives children a calm focus, like a mini meditation. It also builds patience, concentration, and fine motor skills, while letting them express their feelings through colors.
6. Bubble Breathing
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What it is: A playful way to practice slow breathing with bubbles. Children use their breath to blow bubbles and then watch them float away.
How to do it:
- Blow bubbles into the air for the children to see.
- Ask them to take a slow breath before blowing bubbles themselves.
- Invite them to pop the bubbles gently, one by one.
Why it works: Breathing with bubbles makes learning breath control fun. Children stay engaged because they love bubbles, and at the same time they practice slowing down their breath, which relaxes their bodies.
7. Kindness Circle
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What it is: A group sharing activity where children practice giving kind words to each other. It builds both mindfulness and empathy.
How to do it:
- Sit together in a circle.
- Ask each child to say one kind thing about the person sitting next to them.
- Celebrate each response with smiles, claps, or encouraging words.
Why it works: Mindfulness isn’t just about calming down—it’s also about being aware of others. This activity helps children build friendships, feel supported, and learn the joy of kindness.
Tips for Teachers to Integrate Mindfulness
- Keep activities short (2–5 minutes) to match preschool attention spans.
- Make it playful—use visuals, songs, or props.
- Practice regularly (daily or during transitions) to build routine.
- Model mindfulness yourself; children learn best by watching adults.
Final Thoughts
Mindfulness in preschool doesn’t need to be complicated—it’s about creating small, simple moments of calm in a busy day. By weaving in these activities, teachers can help children develop lifelong skills of focus, kindness, and self-regulation. A mindful classroom is not just quieter; it’s a space where children feel more confident, connected, and ready to learn.
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