Controlled breathing is one of those techniques that I find myself pulling out of my back pocket at least 5 times a day. It’s great for managing worries, anger, and so much more. Sometimes, kids need hands on tools to help them develop those skills and truly understand the process. Keep reading to find some awesome tools that will help you teach kids controlled breathing practices!
Teach Kid Controlled Breathing
Hoberman Sphere
Hoberman spheres are an awesome tool to help students visualize their lungs expanding as the inhale. They grip the sphere on both sides and open it up, expanding the sphere. As they exhale, they slowly close the sphere. Kids love these for practicing controlled breathing and as a calming tool.
Slinky
Don’t have a Hoberman sphere? Grab a slinky! You can use it in the exact same way described above for practicing controlled breathing.
Straws & Watercolors
In this watercolor monster breathing exercise, students drop a blob of watercolor paint on a piece of cardstock paper. Then, they blow through a straw to spread the paint and create a paint monster.
Pinwheels
Pinwheels make great visual tools for breathing exercises too. Students inhale deeply through their noses and then exhale slowly through their mouths, blowing the pinwheels and watching them spin. I like to tell students, “Watch what your amazing breath can do!”
Bubbles
Grab some bubbles and see who can make the biggest bubble with the longest exhale! This really requires students to breathe deeply and truly control their exhale for slow and steady bubble growth. This can also be a mindfulness exercise. Read up on bubble breathing here.
Stuffed Animals
Use a stuffed animal to teach belly breathing! Have students lie on their backs and place a stuffed animal on their bellies. As the inhale, filling their torsos with oxygen, the stuffed animal will rise. On the exhale, the stuff animal will slowly fall. This is a great visual activity, and you can remind students to move their stuffed animals slowly so they don’t fall off their bellies.
Dandelions
No tools? No problem – just head outside. Use dandelions to help students see the power of their long and slow exhales. Get more printable visuals like the one below here.
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I have lots of ideas for creative ways to get your students practicing controlled breathing and calming strategies! Click here to see all of the breathing exercise ideas on my blog. Working with older students? You might like these ideas for middle school mindfulness activities!
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