The Best Breathing Exercises for Kids (How to Teach Calm & Focus)
- Jordan Concannon
- Mar 2
- 2 min read
Quick Look
Introduction
Why Breathing Exercises Are Important for Kids
Top Breathing Exercises for Kids
How to Teach Breathing Exercises to Kids
Benefits of Breathwork for Kids
Conclusion
References and Additional Resources
Breathing exercises are a simple yet powerful tool to help children manage stress, improve focus, and cultivate calmness. Teaching kids mindful breathing techniques provides them with lifelong skills to navigate challenges with resilience and ease. This blog explores the best breathing exercises for kids, offering practical tips for parents and educators to incorporate breathwork into daily routines.

Why Breathing Exercises Are Important for Kids
In today’s fast-paced world, children are often exposed to stress, anxiety, and overwhelming emotions. Breathing exercises offer an accessible way for kids to calm their minds, enhance focus, and regulate their emotions. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, mindful breathing practices significantly reduce anxiety and improve emotional well-being in children (source).
Top Breathing Exercises for Kids
Balloon Breath
Imagine inflating a balloon with each inhale and deflating it with each exhale.
How to Do It: Sit comfortably, inhale deeply through the nose, imagining a balloon filling with air. Exhale slowly through the mouth, visualizing the balloon deflating.
Benefits: Enhances lung capacity, promotes relaxation.
Bumblebee Breath
A buzzing breath that calms the mind.
How to Do It: Inhale deeply through the nose, then exhale with a humming sound like a bee.
Benefits: Reduces anxiety, improves focus.
Rainbow Breathing
Incorporate colors for a visual relaxation tool.
How to Do It: Inhale and imagine drawing a rainbow arc with each breath in and out.
Benefits: Enhances creativity, provides a calming visual.
Counting Breath
Simple counting to regulate breathing.
How to Do It: Inhale while counting to 4, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts.
Benefits: Improves focus, reduces stress.
Feather Breath
Use a feather to make breathing playful.
How to Do It: Inhale deeply and exhale gently to make a feather move.
Benefits: Encourages mindful breathing, adds fun to practice.
How to Teach Breathing Exercises to Kids
Make It Fun
Incorporate playful elements like storytelling, visuals, and games.
Use Visuals and Props
Props like feathers, bubbles, and colorful visuals make breathing exercises engaging.
Encourage Regular Practice
Build breathing exercises into daily routines, such as bedtime or study breaks.
Benefits of Breathwork for Kids
Breathing exercises offer numerous benefits, including:
Reduced anxiety and stress
Improved focus and concentration
Enhanced emotional regulation
Better sleep quality
Increased self-awareness
Breathing exercises are an essential part of mindfulness for kids, offering tools to stay calm, focused, and emotionally balanced.
At Root and Roar Yoga, we are dedicated to empowering children through mindful practices that nurture their well-being.
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