Mindfulness Activities For Homeschoolers

More and more families are adding mindfulness into their lives. This is no surprise since mindfulness can profoundly affect our health and wellness. In today’s post, I share 22 mindfulness activities for homeschoolers that you can add to your homeschooling curriculum.

What is Mindfulness

Mindfulness is about living in the moment. It is the conscious awareness of thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Mindfulness is being present in the now.

Something many of us struggle with.

We struggle with being present because, in our modern lives – we are stressed and overloaded. These days we worry about any and everything.

Researchers at Queen’s University in Canada suggest an average person has about 6200 thoughts daily.

Wow! For sure, that’s a lot.

Our minds can race in many directions at any given time. You see, many times, we do things but are not present. In other words, we are on autopilot mode.

Have you ever left your coffee in the microwave to reheat and completely forgot about it until the next time you were about to use it?

Have you prepared dinner, fold laundry, and watch the news all at the same time?

As busy homeschoolers, we are always multitasking, which leads us to be stressed and burned out. We are always doing and thinking about things unconsciously.

Similarly, our children always have thoughts racing through their minds. Why wouldn’t mom give me another snack? Why did mom yell at me this morning? Mom is angry today. Is it because of me? Did mom and dad fight because of me? Do I have to like reading? Math is challenging!

Mindfulness practices help our minds embody our own strength and energy and keep us rooted in the present.

By implementing mindfulness activities for homeschoolers in your and your kids’ lives will bring about profound changes,  Feeling happy and abundant in all arrears of your life.

Letting go of things that are not real and don’t serve y’all. Becoming more focused and present with the now.

Why should homeschoolers practice mindfulness?

Mindfulness activities for homeschoolers will provide homeschoolers with tools to build self-esteem, boost their confidence, support them during emotional stages in life, and help them to manage stress in a more effective manner. 

Research on mindfulness has shown it to help children :

1. Improve their attention

Our children learn how to focus on the present and pay attention to what is happening. They learn to appreciate the now. The ability to concentrate on the now will boost our children’s performance, allowing them to do better in school and extra curriculum activities. Increasing grades and performances.

2. Improve self-regulation

Mindfulness helps our kids to pause and think before reacting. Allowing them to be thoughtful with their choice of words and behaviors when faced with stressful and upsetting situations. Kids who do not practice mindfulness may react impulsively to situations that may leave him /her with a bad reputation.

3. Boosts creativity

Mindfulness gives kids an opportunity to tap into their creative side. Using their imagination to bring their dreams into reality. This skill will come in quite useful as they grow into adulthood.

4. Reduces stress

The practice of mindfulness helps kids cope with stress and anxiety when faced with the unknown. It also helps them to stay calm and figure out things when faced with a difficult situation.

5. Promote resilience 

Kids do go through many changes in their lives. Sometimes not all these changes are positive. Perhaps your child is having to deal with a divorce, the loss of a close friend or family member, a change from public school to homeschooling, and moving into a new home.

Mindfulness helps kids stay calm and cope with unexpected changes in the best manner possible.

6. More compassionate and empathetic for others

I’m sure we can all agree that the world needs us to be more compassionate and understanding to others. Mindfulness helps us develop these qualities that can impact both our kids and other people’s lives.

|The easiest way to get your kids involved in mindfulness is for you to practice mindfulness yourself. Your kids are constantly watching and learning from you.

You are their biggest and most important role model.

22 Simple Mindfulness Activities For Homeschoolers

1. Journaling

I introduced my daughter to journaling at the very young age of 7. And have recently started with my 4-year-old.

Of course, there’s a lot of scribbling in his journal. But it’s getting him into a healthy habit. I recommend you start your child off by asking them to write one thing they are grateful for daily. Then you can gradually introduce them to these prompts:

• What makes me happy?
• How did I feel today?
• What did I enjoy working on today?
• Write a few lines about someone you admire
• What’s my favorite food and why?

I recommend inviting your child to sit and journal together with you. As it will inspire them to follow suit. After you guys are finished, talk to your child about how they felt while journaling, allowing them to share their emotions with you.

2. Mediate for 5 – 10 minutes

Introducing your child to meditation at an early age is so important. It teaches them to sit in stillness and bring awareness to their thoughts.

Have your child sit next to you while you both do a short guided meditation. You can also choose to sit in a quiet room with some soft music, burning some incense sticks while you both visualize your perfect day.

For kids’ meditation videos, I love cosmic kids on YouTube.

3. Walking as a mindfulness activity

Walking is such a great mindfulness activity that allows your kids to connect to nature and be present in the moment.

They get plenty of fresh air. sunlight and exercise. As you and your kids walk – notice the beauty of nature, the smell of the air, the sounds of birds chirping merrily, and leaves rustling noisily.

Take a moment to really slow down and take in the moment.

Be present with your kids as well, leaving all electronics at home.

Make walking a regular practice – because it’s such a beautiful and inexpensive way to bond with your kids while staying healthy. 

You will also be covering areas in your Physical Education unit.

4. Mindful art

Art allows your kids to tap into their creativity while having so much fun at the same time. And don’t forget to compliment your child on their artwork.

I use Art for Kids Hub with my kids. It’s fun and engaging, with clear instructions. 

5. Blow and pop bubbles

What child doesn’t like bubbles?!

Bubbles are so much fun! It doesn’t have to be “just a summer activity.” Blow bubbles with your kids as they happily pop them. Ask them to notice the different sizes of each bubble and talk about it.

Pay attention to the bubbles that sit on the grass or floor. Bubbles can be so much fun, allowing kids to connect with the present. 

6.  Connect with your kids

Talking and getting to know your child is critical to mindfulness.

It’s one of those mindfulness activities for kids that are quite inexpensive and allows you both to bond.

It allows your child to share their feelings and emotions with you and seek support when needed. Talking to your kids reassures them that they are loved and protected.

When your child is speaking to you, stop what you are doing for a few minutes and look your child in her eyes and give her your attention. This will remind your child that her parent cares for her and she’s important. 

Mindfulness doesn’t have to be this long drawn-out process. 5 minutes of practice will work wonders in both your and your homeschooler’s life. 

7. Eat a snack … mindfully

We always seem to be in a rush these days. Gobbling down our meals before heading out the doors or eating while in the car.

Practice slowing down and eating mindfully as a family. All of our senses are engaged when we eat mindfully. Before your kids eat their snacks, ask them to pay attention to the snack’s texture, appearance, smell, and weight.

Encourage them to chew slowly, savoring every bite. When kids eat mindfully, they can digest better and enjoy their meals.

8. Create a vision board

This is such a fun mindfulness activity for kids. Ask your kids to create a bucket list of ideas for things they would like to have.

Then gift them a canvas and help them cut images of the things they want out of magazines, flyers, or print from the web and place them onto their canvases.

Have them spend a few minutes daily looking at their vision boards and imagining what it feels like to have this luxury that they desire. Coach your kids into believing and knowing the sky is their limit. Remind your kids that they can be everything that they are. 

19. Listening to their favorite songs

Music is good for our souls.

It can help your kids to melt away any bottled-up emotions they may have. Music helps kids to relax and let go. Sit with your kids and have them compile their favorite songs into their own playlists.

Talk to your kids about the music they choose – why do they like it, how do these songs make them feel? What do they think about as they listen to the songs?

10. Doing something nice for someone

The world will be such a better place if we can all be kind. Explain what a chain reaction of kindness can bring about.

Schedule a day into your calendar when your kids get to do something kind for someone. Perhaps smiling and saying hello to the gentleman who seems lonely. Holding the door for someone.

Saying thank you at the end of the day to their sibling or parent. Saying thank you to someone who was kind to them…

At the end of the day – ask them to share what nice thing did they do and for who? Ask them how it made them feel. 

11. Think of someone they are grateful for

Gratitude is one of those mindfulness activities for kids that is critical. Teaching your kids to practice gratitude can have a positive and lasting influence on them.

Instilling gratitude in your kids at a young age could support them in becoming happier people as they grow older. Kids who express gratitude are more likely to be confident, kind, loving, and compassionate.

If you have not yet done so, make sure to download my Gratitude Planner Page For Kids (219 downloads )

12. Clean or organize their room

There’s just something about staying in a clean space. Have your kids clean and organize their rooms. Paying attention to the way they put things into place, noticing the color and shade of their room, the smell of their sheets, their blinds, and the posters on their walls.

Allow them to take some time and pay attention to their rooms. When they are finished, have a conversation as to why they moved things around or didn’t move things around. Ask them how does it feel to be in a clean and organized space?

You can even dedicate a day and time in your homeschooling schedule where they spend time cleaning their room. 

13. Read a book

Reading books helps your kids develop early literacy skills. It helps them to identify friction and non-friction. Reading helps with brain development and communication skills. It helps spark our kid’s imaginations while stimulating their curiosity.

Encourage your child to cultivate a love for reading. This love for reading will empower them to keep learning and growing.

As homeschoolers, you are in charge of your schedule. Plan a day and take a trip to your local library. Let your children choose their books, even if your child is unable to read the words but is fascinated by the colors and texture, the size. Let them bring it home or sit right at the library and flip through the pages.

Allowing your child to choose their own books will give your child a sense of being heard and being able to make her own decisions based on her liking. 

While at the library, you can grab some of these growth mindset books for kids. 

14. Bake with you

Baking with your child can be so much fun. And, of course, messy!

But who cares about the mess when you get to share this beautiful moment with your child?!

As you bake – allow your kids to use all their senses and explore the ingredients. Explain the baking process, and answer whatever questions your child may have.

15. Sit outside and create different shapes in the sky

As a kid growing up, I remembered having so much fun doing this.

On a cool day, spread a blanket on the grass or your porch and lay down with your kids to look at the clouds gliding across the sky.

Observe with your child that some clouds are white and puffy while others are maybe dark. Have your child tell you what shape they see in the sky.

Take turns sharing with your child what you see in the sky as well. Apart from bonding, this mindfulness activity allows your child to connect with nature and appreciate the joy in the simplest things in life.

16. Painting rocks

Another great mindfulness activity for kids – is picking up random rocks, washing them, and letting them air dry.

Then you and your kids can paint these rocks and write kind words onto them – peace, happiness, courage, joy, brave, and love.

During your regular walks together, leave these at random places so others can spread the same kind of love. This mindfulness activity will help your child to be compassionate, generous, able to empathize with others, and spread love everywhere they go.

17. Dancing

Moving helps us keep fit and stay healthy. Put your child’s favorite playlist on and dance freely. Dance like no one is watching, and have fun together with your kids. Dancing will help your kids to be free-spirited while boosting their self-esteem.

Dancing is also a form of exercise, allowing your kids to stay fit. 

18. Talk about your child’s favorite photo

Go through some of your kids’ favorite photos and ask them to share their thoughts on them with you. Why is this photo so special to them? Can they remember most of the details from the day when that photo was taken or given to them?

If they can’t remember the day the photo was taken, share your memories with them on the photo. Giving them as many details as possible. 

19. Affirmations/mantras

Guide your child into speaking positive and kind words to themselves.

Perhaps you can teach your child to say, “I am calm,” whenever they feel stressed or upset.

They can remind themselves of this as many times as they choose or until they feel calm again. Here are some more powerful and kids-friendly affirmations:

• “I am kind and caring.”
• “Being kind is important.”
• “I choose to walk away.”
• “Peace be with me.”
• “I am helpful.”
• “I am brave.”

You can also pick up my set of 40 printable affirmation cards for kids. 

20. Teach your child something new

Personal growth is essential, and the earlier we, as homeschool providers, can support our kids to have a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset, the better it is for their overall well-being. Spend a few minutes today and teach your child something new. Perhaps sewing, gardening, typing, learning about google docs., learning to ride a bike or a horse. 

Introduce them to a new board game. A new book, etc.

21. Bird watching

Why not go bird-watching in your backyard?

Even better, visit a nearby park for different scenery. This can be such a fun way to learn about different birds. You will also be covering the nature and birds unit in your science lessons. 

Have your kids listen to the birds chirping merrily, observe how they fly, and look at you, where they sit. Are they with another bird or by themselves? Did the bird fly away when another bird came? 

22. Mindfulness and gratitude worksheets

Download the mindfulness and gratitude bundle and add these worksheets to your morning basket. 

These SEL worksheets can help your students to build social-emotional skills to support them throughout their lives.

The mindfulness and SEL activities can help improve mood, boost self-esteem, and reduce worries, depression, and anxiety. Improve attention spans and encourage positive behavior. While the gratitude prompts will help your children foster a gratitude practice.

Mindfulness Can Have A Profound Effect

Introducing your kids to mindfulness at a tender age is critical in determining how your child will respond to outcomes in their lives as they grow older.

Mindfulness creates lasting positive characteristics, which include but are not limited to empathy, kindness, diversity, and love.

Have you tried mindfulness activities with your homeschoolers before?  r will you be giving mindfulness activities for homeschoolers a try for the first time?

Wherever you and your homeschoolers are on your mindfulness journey, I would love to support you. Share with me in the comments.