Practicing calming summer breathing activities during your children’s summer can be a great way to support their emotional well-being during times of change. Whether it is coming to their final term in their current class or maybe they are off on their summer holidays, these times of change can be exciting but also feel overwhelming.
{You’ll find a free summer breaths colouring in page near the bottom of the post.}
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Engaging in fun and imaginative breathing exercises can not only help kids to relax but also allows them to connect with the fun of summer. Below we will be exploring a summer selection of breathing activities designed to bring a sense of calm and playfulness to children’s summer holidays.
Let’s dive into these creative techniques to foster a serene and joyous summer for children.
No. 1 – Sunshine Breath
- Have the children sit comfortably with their eyes closed. Encourage them to take a deep breath in through their nose, imagining they are breathing in warm sunshine.
- Then, have them exhale slowly through their mouth, imagining they are blowing away any clouds in their mind.
Summer Mindful Moment: Lay in the warm sun and ask children to notice the warmth on their skin.
You can find more details about sunshine breathing and a free printable here: Morning Sunshine Breathing
No. 2 – Flower Breath
- Ask the children to imagine holding a beautiful flower in their hands. As they breathe in through their nose, have them pretend to smell the flower, taking in a long, deep breath.
- Then, as they exhale through their mouth, encourage them to blow the petals off the flower gently.
Summer Mindful Moment: Go on a mindful walk and pick / take pictures of wild flowers. Find my flower breaths kit here.
You can find my more detailed blog post on flowers breaths here: Flower Breaths Help Kids Bloom
No. 3 – Seaside Wave Breath
- Have the children sit with their eyes closed and picture themselves at the beach.
- Instruct them to take a deep breath in as they imagine a wave rolling onto the shore, filling their lungs with refreshing ocean air.
- As they exhale, they can visualize the wave receding back into the sea.
Summer Mindful Moment: Take a paddle, even if its not the ocean, a paddling pool or even a big bowl of water can be really fun to dip your toes in!
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No. 4 – Butterfly Wings Breath
- Ask the children to sit up tall and stretch their arms out to the sides.
- Instruct them to take a deep breath in as they raise their arms up like butterfly wings, then exhale slowly as they lower their arms back down to their sides.
Summer Mindful Moment:
Read more on this activity here Calm Anxiety with Butterfly Breaths and also do my fun Paper Butterfly’s and Calming Coffee Filter butterfly crafts alongside.
No. 5 – Ice Cream Cone Breath
- Have the children imagine their favourite flavour of ice cream. As they take a deep breath in, ask them to pretend to smell the delicious aroma of the ice cream.
- Then, as they exhale, encourage them to pretend they are blowing out a candle on top of the imaginary ice cream cone.
Summer Mindful Moment: Take a visit to the ice cream parlour or make your own ice cream cones at home. Use the 5 senses and encourage kids to savour their delicious treats!
This activity would go alongside nicely with my Birthday Cake Breaths: A Mindful Breathing Exercise for Children.
No. 6 – Beach Ball Breath
Engage your kids in a calming breathing activity with the beach ball breath. Follow these simple steps to incorporate this exercise into their summer routine:
- Have the children imagine themselves at the beach, sitting comfortably with their eyes closed.
- Encourage them to take a deep breath in as they picture a beach ball expanding in front of them, filling their lungs with refreshing ocean air.
- Then, as they exhale, ask them to visualize the beach ball deflating slowly, releasing any tension or worries
Summer Mindful Moment: Grab a beach ball and play keep uppy’s! You can read my more details post and get a free printable here: Beach Ball Breathing + Free Printable
No. 7 – Pinwheel Breaths
Follow these simple steps to incorporate this exercise into your children’s summer routine (You’ll find tis activity in my Book of Breaths):
- Begin by having the children sit comfortably, holding a pinwheel in their hands.
- Instruct them to take a deep breath in as they blow gently on the pinwheel, watching it spin and create a mesmerizing effect.
- Encourage the children to exhale slowly and steadily, focusing on the calming rhythm of their breath as they continue to watch the pinwheel spin.
Summer Mindful Moment: Make your very own pinwheel craft! Find a lovely Pinwheel template here.
Incorporating calming breathing activities into your children’s summer routine can be a valuable tool for promoting emotional well-being during periods of change and excitement.
The summer breathing exercises outlined above can offer a playful and effective approach to help children relax and connect with the joys of summer.
With the help of these summer breathing exercises, you can support your children in embracing the season with a light heart and a peaceful mind, creating lasting memories filled with relaxation, sun (hopefully, I live in England!) and fun. Take Care Emma x
