Summer Mindfulness Activities for Kids
Summer is a warm and sunny break from the routine of school for children to be able to explore, play and grow. Amid this excitement, summer time is a great opportunity to practice mindfulness with children. Mindfulness helps us stay grounded, manage emotions and enjoy the present moment.
The Value of Mindfulness
While summer is often associated with feelings of excitement, the change in routine can also cause overstimulation, boredom and anxiety. Mindfulness can help slow kids down by connecting with the world around them. Practicing mindfulness techniques has been found to help children develop self-awareness, improve focus and improve emotion regulation in a relaxed and even enjoyable environment. This blog contains fun summer activities for kids that work toward improving mindfulness skills!
Fun and Easy Summer Activities
Nature Walk: Going for a walk can become mindfulness practice when children are encouraged to use their senses. By using their 5 senses, the child can become more present with their environment. Tell your kids to notice as many flowers, bugs, birds, dogs as they can find. They can also notice the sound of birds, scent of flowers and colors of the trees.
Rainbow walk: Head out on a colorful adventure with your kids! Challenge them to spot something red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet along the way—it’s a fun and easy way to practice mindfulness while turning a simple walk into a rainbow hunt.
Bubbles: Blowing bubbles can be a great calming activity. Guide your kids to take a deep, slow breath, then exhale gently to create a bubble. Encourage them to observe each bubble closely as it forms, floats, and eventually pops or drifts away.
Coloring: Rainy summer afternoons are a perfect opportunity to use art as a way to support your child’s mindfulness. Coloring is naturally calming, and with a bit of gentle guidance and thoughtful questions, you can help children become more present and aware. Encourage them to pick colors based on how they feel, and invite them to pay attention to the sensation of different materials—like crayons, markers, or colored pencils—moving across the page. Shift the focus away from finishing the picture, and instead, help them embrace the simple enjoyment of the creative process.
Chalk: Coloring the sidewalk with chalk is another great opportunity to use art to promote mindfulness. Ask your child to use chalk colors that represent feelings for drawings or to write words of affirmation.
Red light, green light: This traditional summer game helps kids practice being present by listening carefully and responding intentionally to cues. It also teaches self-regulation and body awareness as they shift between movement and stillness. Adding deep breaths during "red light" moments enhances mindfulness by encouraging kids to pause and check in with themselves. Because it’s playful and engaging, the game offers a natural way to build focus, emotional awareness and self-control.
Water play: This can be a soothing and engaging way to introduce mindfulness to children. Whether they’re pouring, splashing, or simply observing the movement of water, children are naturally drawn into the present moment. By encouraging them to notice the sound, texture, temperature, and flow of water, you can help your child develop sensory awareness and focus.
Nature mandala: This is a creative and mindful activity where children can use natural items, such as leaves, flowers, stones, twigs, or seeds, to create circular patterns on the ground. This activity encourages a deep connection with nature while promoting mindfulness, as participants focus on the colors, textures, and shapes of the materials. The process of arranging items into a symmetrical and balanced design involves patience and concentration
By making mindfulness a part of summer fun, we support children's well-being and empower them to carry these valuable skills into their daily lives year-round. Are you interested in helping your child build important life skills within a therapeutic environment? We can help! Contact the Mental Wellness Center by clicking the button below.
