Breathing Exercises for Kids: Helpful Tips

Breathing can be the key to calming and controlling your kids. For this reason, we've selected a few breathing exercises for you to try with them.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the best breathing exercises for kids. Teaching your children proper breathing techniques is a simple but effective strategy for slowing things down both mentally and physically. It will help them pay attention to how they feel, how to relax, and how to control their emotions.

Conscious breathing allows children to control their feelings and improve their sense of mental and physical well-being. In this way, it’s the same as any other healthy habit.

With that in mind, it’s a good idea to help them take regular breaks to practice conscious breathing. Show them how these breathing exercises can affect the way they feel, think, and behave.

The best breathing exercises for kids

1. Flower breath

The first of these breathing exercises requires some imagination. To begin, your children should sit on the floor with their legs crossed or on their heels. Then, they close their eyes and attune themselves to the sound of their breathing. At this point, they should imagine holding a flower.

Next, they take a deep breath as though they were smelling the flower. Then, they exhale, pretending to bow the petals. They should repeat the cycle of inhaling deeply and exhaling softly for a few minutes. This breathing technique is a simple way to help children become more aware of this involuntary act.

2. Deep belly breathing

To practice this form of deep breathing, your child should choose a comfortable upright position. The right hand should be placed on the belly, with the left hand on the chest.

Breathe deeply four times and then exhale through the nose, with the mouth closed. This exercise will allow the child to feel the rise and fall of his or her belly.

Deep belly breathing should last a few minutes. It allows children to relax and think about different things during the process. It’s likely that, after a few sessions, your child will feel comfortable before you even expect.

3. Elephant breathing

This is one of the most entertaining breathing exercises for kids. In addition, it’s very easy to do and allows children to have fun while they do it. They should start in a standing position, with their feet apart.

Next, they place their arms in front of them and put their palms on the ground, like an elephant. Then, they must inhale though their noses and raise their arms over their heads.

As they exhale through the mouth, they lower their palms back to the ground. We recommend repeating this exercise three times.

4. Hot air balloon breathing

This option relaxes children while allowing them to use their imagination. Simply tell your child to sit comfortably with his or her legs crossed and hands in front of his or her mouth.

Next, your child should inhale deeply through the nose and exhale through the mouth as through he or she were blowing up an enormous hot air balloon. When he or she exhales completely, tell your child to breathe in slowly, admiring the imaginary balloon as it floats in the air.

5. Bunny breathing

Here’s another fun and simple exercise to help your kids breathe better. Invite them to pretend they’re bunnies, smelling the air in search of other bunnies, carrots, or safe shelters. To do this, all they have to do is inhale and exhale through their noses.

Without a doubt, this is one of the best breathing exercises for when kids are upset and can’t engage in proper breathing. This technique will allow them to connect to their exhalation, breathing instead of moving.

Keep in mind that these breathing exercises can help calm your kids and control panic attacks. However, you need to have patience and invest a bit of time in teaching them the different variations. Don’t miss this opportunity to give them tools to aid in their own well-being.