Teaching mindfulness to kids is really starting to take off lately. My son’s primary school is even teaching mindful meditation as part of its curriculum this year for the first time. And as a big fan of meditation myself, I’ve been trying to get my kids to meditate with me.
Problem is, adult meditation is kind of boring when you’re a kid. Luckily, there are some clever souls out there who have adapted meditation practices so that kids will love them too. Here are some of my favourites.
Breath, Think, Do with Sesame
Age: 4+
Free
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
Classic Sesame Street delivers five scenarios which can help children deal with particular problems. Plus it has a parent section that has heaps of free resources, as well as the option to personalise the encouraging audio messages kids hear when they play with the app. Also, it can be played in English or Spanish.
Settle your Glitter
Age: 4+
Free
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
Simple but beautiful emotional regulation tool for kids where they can shake up the device and watch glitter settle, much like a snow globe.
Super Stretch Yoga HD
Age 4+
Free
Devices: iPad
A warm introduction to yoga that will get kids moving with mindfulness.
Breathing Bubbles
Age: 5+
Free
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
This anxiety fighting tool will help your child release their worries and focus on their good feelings.
Wellbeyond Meditation for Kids
Age: 7+
Free
Devices iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
This magical app helps children cultivate mindfulness. They can enjoy five wonderful meditations that plant the seeds for a lifetime of benefits: Focus, Feelings, Kindness, Centring, and Sleep.
Scape
Age: 8+
$17.99
Devices: iPad
This music app was designed by Brian Eno and Peter Chilvers. It is a new form of album which offers users deep access to its musical elements. Users can endlessly recombine those elements to behave intelligently: reacting to each other, changing mood together, and making new sonic spaces. Wonderful for musically minded children.
Drift Away
Age: 9+
$2.99
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Guide a bubble through a wonderful scenic landscape while listening to classical music, avoiding obstacles so your bubble doesn’t pop. A wonderful tranquil immersion for older children.
Stop, Breathe & Think
Age: 10+
Free (with in-app purchases)
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
Stop, Breathe & Think allows older children (and adults) to develop and apply kindness and compassion in their daily life through a process called Stop, Breathe & Think. A great introduction to mindful meditation.
