Fun Breathing Exercises for Kids
- Team Saanwee
- Aug 13
- 4 min read
Breathing is something we all do naturally, but did you know it can be a superpower? For kids, learning how to control their breath can do wonders for managing emotions, boosting focus, and improving overall well-being. By introducing fun breathing exercises into their day, children can tap into tools that help them calm down when they feel overwhelmed, boost their energy when they’re low, and improve their concentration for learning. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, these easy and playful exercises can transform the way kids manage their emotions and have a blast while doing it!
Why Breathing Exercises are good for Kids
As adults, we know that life can get stressful, and kids are no exception. From school pressures to social situations, it’s easy for children to feel anxious, overwhelmed, or distracted. This is where breathing exercises come in!
Breathing deeply and slowly helps activate the body’s relaxation response, turning off the “fight or flight” mode. It calms the nervous system and helps kids think more clearly and feel more in control. Teaching kids to use their breath as a tool is like giving them an emotional toolkit that they can pull out whenever they need it whether it's before a big test, during a stressful situation, or just to wind down before bed.
But the best part? These exercises are fun! They allow kids to engage in something that feels more like play than practice.
8 Fun Breathing Exercises That Kids Will Love
Here are 10 creative breathing exercises to help your little ones discover the magic of breath control and keep them giggling while doing it!
1. Belly Breathing: The Teddy Bear Challenge
How to do it: Have your child lie on their back with a stuffed animal on their belly. Tell them to take a deep breath in, watching their teddy bear rise, and then slowly exhale, watching it fall.
Why they’ll love it: The visual feedback makes it easy for kids to see and feel the effect of their deep breaths.
Bonus: It’s a cozy, calming exercise perfect for bedtime! 🧸💤
2. Bubble Breathing
How to do it: Imagine you’re blowing bubbles! Have your child inhale through their nose, then slowly exhale through their mouth, pretending they’re blowing bubbles in the air.
Why they’ll love it: Kids love bubbles, and this exercise mimics the action, turning it into a calming yet engaging experience.
Bonus: Challenge them to blow the biggest, slowest bubble!
3. Smell the Rose, Blow Out the Candle
How to do it: Instruct your child to inhale deeply through their nose, as though they are smelling a flower. Then, have them exhale slowly through their mouth as if blowing out a candle.
Why they’ll love it: It turns breathing into a sensory experience, using their imagination to picture a rose and a candle.
Bonus: Add some fun by pretending the candle is magical, who knows what might happen when they blow it out? 🌹🕯️
4. Dragon Breathing
How to do it: Inhale deeply through the nose, then exhale through the mouth forcefully while making a "ha" sound (like a dragon breathing fire).
Why they’ll love it: Dragons are cool! This one lets kids use their imagination and release tension in a fun way.
Bonus: Perfect for releasing extra energy or frustration dragon style! 🐉
5. Square Breathing
How to do it: Inhale for a count of four, hold the breath for four, exhale for four, then hold again for four, like drawing a square with your breath.
Why they’ll love it: The structured nature of square breathing helps kids focus while practicing calmness. It's almost like a game of "breathing and counting" combined!
Bonus: You can even create a visual with a drawn square or a game on a whiteboard! 📐
6. Lion’s Breath
How to do it: Inhale through the nose, then exhale through the mouth, sticking out the tongue and making a “ha” sound like a roaring lion.
Why they’ll love it: It’s fun, loud, and energetic! Kids can pretend they’re lions, and it really gets the breath flowing!
Bonus: Let the kids roar like lions before each breath for a little extra silliness! 🦁
7. Flower Breath
How to do it: Inhale through the nose as if smelling a flower, then exhale through the mouth like blowing out a candle.
Why they’ll love it: It’s a simple yet effective way to calm down and focus, and kids love imagining the scent of their favorite flowers.
Bonus: You could take it outside and smell real flowers for an extra sensory experience! 🌸
8. Hot Air Balloon Breathing
How to do it: Inhale deeply as if inflating a hot air balloon, then exhale slowly as if the balloon is floating gently upwards.
Why they’ll love it: The visual imagery makes this breathing exercise calm, focused, and fun.
Bonus: Add a little extra magic by imagining where the hot air balloon is going on its journey. 🎈
Tips for Teaching Breathing Exercises to Kids
Teaching kids to breathe properly takes patience, but the results are worth it! Here are a few tips to make the process smoother:
Make it playful: Use stories, games, and fun analogies to keep your child engaged. A breath is more than just a breath when it’s part of an adventure! 🦄
Incorporate it into routines: Practice before school, during transitions, or even before bed. Consistency helps children get comfortable with these tools.
Be a role model: Kids love to copy what they see. If you show them how it’s done, they’ll be more likely to join in.
Conclusion
Breathing is one of the easiest yet most powerful ways to help kids manage their emotions, focus their minds, and feel in control of their world. Whether your child needs to calm down after a busy day, focus on a task, or find relaxation before bedtime, these breathing exercises provide a playful and effective way to achieve all of that.
By making breathing fun and engaging, you're giving your child tools they can use for a lifetime. So, why not breathe in deeply, take a moment to pause, and let the fun begin!
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