Meditating and mindfulness is a simple and effective way to decrease stress and anxiety. Even kids can learn it – and it’ll hold them in good stead for their life and learning.
I’ve stopped and started a meditation practice over the years – so I know how hard it is to be still, to be calm, to control your racing thoughts and to-do list.
This year is the first time I’ve managed to stick to daily meditation practice for long enough and consistently enough to notice the positive effects. It’s been months – so don’t despair if you don’t feel like there’s any benefit after a week! It’s learned behaviour that takes time to embed.
What has made the difference is that (a) I set an annual goal to meditate every day, even if it was just for 1 minute; (b) my Apple Watch regularly reminds me to take 1 minute to breathe; and (3) Smiling Mind describes meditation is like the gym for your mind. As I (try to) exercise daily why should I not give my mind the same benefits through meditation?
This year I’ve also been practising meditation with my kids. Baby 2.0’s teacher uses the Smiling Mind app to calm the class because ‘we’re all a bit excited after lunch’ and so I’ve been using the same app with him to settle down for sleep.
Lady AB and I hold hands in the dark and feel the Apple Watch Breathe App vibrate on her wrist, challenging ourselves to see if we can lower our heart rate every time.
When you or your kids are feeling anxious, confused or scared, here are my favourite FREE mindfulness and meditation apps that you can use together.
Best Mindfulness Apps for Kids
1. Smiling Mind
The one thing I really like about this app – the Australian accent! Also if you go into their Mindfulness in the Classroom section you can find guided meditations and activities for all age groups of children (as well as adults) and lessons plans for teachers.
I particularly like the extended Bubble Journey body scan meditation for 7-9 year olds for my own use.
Download Smiling Mind for iOS via Apple App Store | Smiling Mind for Android via Google Play
2. Calm
Calm is the perfect meditation app for beginners, but also includes hundreds of programs for intermediate and advanced users.
Guided meditation sessions are available in lengths of 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 minutes so you can choose the perfect length to fit with your schedule. It provides mindfulness and sleep stories for children of varying ages.
It’s free to try the app’s first program and a few stand-alone guided meditations.
Download Calm for iOS via Apple App Store | Calm for Android via Google Play
3. Headspace For Kids
Meditation made simple with guided meditations (in a British accent) suitable for all ages. Headspace now has specific mindfulness activities for kids, with five themes: Calm, Focus, Kindness, Sleep, and Wake Up. Each activity is customised for different age groups, Under 5, 6–8, and 10–12, and each has a role for parents.
As an adult, I’ve used the Nike Run Club app collaboration with Headspace for guided runs where I’ve felt particularly anxious or stressed.
It’s free to try and you can pay an ongoing subscription.
In addition, Sesame Street and Headspace have teamed up to create “Sesame Street Monster Meditations”, six animated shorts to help children (and adults!) learn the fundamentals of mindfulness, meditation and social and emotional learning.
The shorts feature animated versions of the beloved Sesame Street Muppets having feelings of frustration, impatience, being overwhelmed, nervousness, disappointment, and excitement.
Headspace co-founder and former Buddhist monk, Andy Puddicombe, helps each monster learn various breathing and sensory activities and other mindfulness techniques to better manage relatable, everyday scenarios.
Monster Meditation with Elmo and Andy
Monster Meditation with Cookie Monster and Andy
Download Headspace for iOS via Apple App Store | Headspace for Android via Google Play
4. DreamyKid
The DreamyKid meditation app offers meditation, guided visualisation and affirmations for children and teens.
It uses proven techniques that teach your kids methods to guide them towards a happier life through mindfulness.
Download DreamyKid for iOS via Apple App Store | DreamyKid for Android via Google Play
5. Insight Timer
The app focuses on relaxation, managing stress, concentration and sleep via guided meditations or story-based meditation.
You can select by time and theme with a kid theme option.
Download Insight Timer for iOS via Apple App Store | Insight Timer for Android via Google Play
Best Mindfulness Podcasts for Kids
6. Kinderling Bedtime Explorers
Bedtime Explorers is a soothing meditation series, designed specifically for little ones. Each episode takes kids on an imaginative journey to magical places or to meet animals with special strengths.
You can tune into Kinderling Radio nightly at 7pm or listen to favourite episodes anytime in the free Kinderling app.
Download Kinderling Bedtime Explorers for iOS via Apple App Store | Kinderling Bedtime Explorers for Android via Google Play
7. Peace Out
Short stories that help children calm down and relax by guiding them through visualization and breathing exercises. Perfect for parents or teachers who want to teach mindfulness and self-regulation.
New story released every Fortnight.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Listen on Stitcher
8. Be Calm on Ahway Island
Relax and enjoy the calm retreat of Ahway Island Bedtime Stories. Original children’s stories for nap time, bedtime and any time it’s relax time!
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Listen on Stitcher
9. Soundwalks
Soundwalks podcast were made to develop children’s sensory and listening skills. As children listen they can observe the sounds of different environments and develop an appreciation of the natural world. As well as discovering the sounds of the seasons and how they change throughout the year.
Designed to help children relax and wind down, with immerse field recordings of Australia’s birds, animals and landscapes. Listeners are guided through imagining a particular place and supported in doing so with audio cues and real recordings of the environment.
Best podcasts for kids
Big Life Journal Review
Growth Mindset Books for Kids 5+ years
10 Best Growth Mindset Books for Tweens
I hope this post has helped or inspired you! Get my awesome weekly newsletter in your inbox every week to find out more ways for your family to have fun together!
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