Mindfulness, in simple terms, is the state of being conscious of something and focusing your awareness on the present moment. When you’re practicing mindfulness, you’re calmly aware of your thoughts and feelings.
Mindfulness, as a practice, isn’t just for adults. Children and teens can benefit from it as well.
Here's a list of helpful apps, books, and videos to share with your children and teens to help bring the concept and practice of mindfulness into your homes and classrooms.
Looking for fun mindfulness activities to add to your practice? Check out the Mindfulness Bingo and Mindfulness Brain Breaks both available in our Gratitude & Mindfulness Kit.
And remember to listen to Season 3 of the Big Life Kids podcast -- Episode 21 is all about mindfulness!
*Disclaimer: Parents, caregivers, and teachers are advised to preview all the resources to ensure they are appropriate for your children or students.
Apps
Insight TimerA free daily meditation practice with the world's largest collection of free guided meditations, with over 30,000 titles. Topics for children include meditation and sleep. |
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CalmCalm is a meditation, sleep and relaxation app that helps listeners the amazing benefits of mindfulness. The app includes sleep stories and guided meditations. |
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HeadspaceHeadspace’s mission is to improve the health and happiness of the world. Users will learn the essentials of meditation and mindfulness. |
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Waking Up ChildrenCheck out these guided meditations for children. The recordings are designed for children ages six to ten. Teens can use the Waking Up app here. |
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Smiling MindSmiling Mind is a free mindfulness meditation app developed by psychologists and educators. The programs are designed to assist people in dealing with the pressure, stress, and challenges of daily life. |
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Breathe, Think, Do with SesameThis app teaches skills such as problem-solving, self-control, planning, and task persistence. This bilingual (English and Spanish), the research-based app helps your child learn Sesame’s “Breathe, Think, Do” strategy for problem-solving. Children enjoy silly learn emotional vocabulary, a calm breathing technique, personalized encouragement, and more! |
Books for Children
Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing by Christopher Willard and Daniel RechtschaffenIn Alphabreaths, children will learn their ABCs and the basics of mindfulness through playful breathing exercises. Simple, playful, and with delightful illustrations, Alphabreaths is the perfect introduction to mindfulness and breath awareness. |
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Breathe Like a Bear by Kira WilleyThis beautifully illustrated collection of mindfulness exercises is designed to teach kids techniques for managing their bodies, breath, and emotions. |
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A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles by Thich Nhat HanhPebble meditation is a playful and fun activity that parents and educators can do with their children to introduce them to meditation. It is designed to involve children in a hands-on and creative way that touches on their interconnection with nature. |
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Stand Tall Like a Mountain by Suzy ReadingChildren are natural masters of curiosity and mindfulness, so learning is not a one-way street. The book encourages parents to observe and seek opportunities to learn from their children too. |
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Sitting Like a Frog by Eline SnelThe book contains eleven practices that focus on just these scenarios, along with short examples and anecdotes throughout. |
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I Am Yoga by Susan Verde I Am Yoga encourages children to explore the world of yoga and make room in their hearts for the world beyond it. A kid-friendly guide to 17 yoga poses is included. |
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I Breathe by Susie BrooksUsing their imaginations children are encouraged to try the depicted child-friendly yoga poses and breathing techniques, designed to help them control their emotions. |
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Matt’s Swirly World by Madeleine MatthewsAn adorable journey featuring a mother and her young song, this book is a great reminder about how all emotions are accepted and that proper behaviors can be learned by kids and taught by caregivers. |
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Slumberkins Series by SlumberkinsOur stories use research-based techniques to teach little ones important social-emotional skills. Through pro-active and supportive narratives, each collection is intentionally crafted to build resilient, caring, and confident children. |
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Breathe and Be: A Book of Mindfulness Poems by Kate CoombsMindfulness teaches us how to stay calm, soothe our emotions, and appreciate the world around us. This book reminds readers how much joy we can find by simply living with awareness and inner peace. |
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Silence by LemniscatesThis book encourages children to stop, listen, and reflect on their experiences and the world around them. Using qualities of mindfulness and peaceful meditation, readers are asked to pay attention to what otherwise gets lost in our noisy environment. |
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What Does it Mean to be Present? by Rana DiOrioFollow a group of friends at school, at home, and at the beach as they experience just what it means to be present. |
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Take the Time by Maud RoegiersThis pensive and peaceful book encourages children to slow down and become deliberate with their day-to-day actions and thoughts. With gentle rhythms and soothing imagery, kids may be guided toward a quiet self-awareness and mindfulness. |
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I am Peace by Susan Verde and Peter H. ReynoldsThis pensive and peaceful book encourages children to slow down and become deliberate with their day-to-day actions and thoughts. With gentle rhythms and soothing imagery, kids may be guided toward a quiet self-awareness and mindfulness. |
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Puppy Mind by Andrew Jordan NanceIn this picture book a young boy discovers his mind is like a puppy, always wandering away, into the past or the future. Through remembering to breathe, the boy becomes a stronger and more caring master of his puppy mind, keeping it in the present, if only for a moment. |
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I Can Handle It! by Laurie WrightParents and teachers are amazed when children start saying 'I CAN handle it' almost immediately after reading this book! In tough situations that usually cause meltdowns, kids start to realize they can problem-solve solutions and likely 'handle' the situation themselves. |
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I Matter (Mindful Mantras) by Laurie WrightElise is a clever little girl who stops and thinks about her feelings and realizes that she is always important and that she MATTERS. Kids matter to their family and friends, and to the world around them, and they need to know it. |
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Charlotte and the Quiet Place by Deborah Sosin Sometimes children need a break from our noisy, over-stimulating world. This book shows how a child learns and practices mindful breathing on her own and experiences the beauty of silence. All children will relate to the unfolding adventure and message of self-discovery and empowerment. |
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My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing by Nick OrtnerIn a world that is sometimes too busy, with too many things going on, My Magic Breath will help steer children into a serene space of mindfulness, self-awareness, and balance. |
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Breathing Makes it Better: A Book for Sad Days, Mad Days, Glad Days, and all the Feelings In-Between by Christopher WillardWith rhythmic writing and engaging illustrations, this book guides children to breathe through their feelings and find calm with recurring cues to stop and take a breath. Simple guided practices teach children how to apply mindfulness techniques when they need them the most. |
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Bee Still by Frank SilioResearch has indicated that meditation can assist with improving concentration and focus, calming anxiety, and reducing impulsivity. Bee Still is a child-friendly introduction to meditation. |
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Mind Bubbles by Heather KrantzThe book is a clear, concise, and secular explanation of mindfulness that children ages 4-8 will understand and want to try for themselves. It may be read by or to young children and includes a guided mindful breathing script for teachers and parents to read so everyone can practice their new skills. |
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Wild Mindfulness by Laura LarsonThis picture book is meant to teach, guide and allow children (and adults!) to experience mindful moments through guided imagery and breathing techniques as they follow along with a young girl and her adventures camping and exploring in the wild. |
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A World of Pausabilities by Frank SilioEveryone has the capacity to be mindful, including (especially!) children. This story is a gentle reminder to stop, take a break, and notice details even as we go about our busy days. Sometimes the simplest moments are the most important ones—if we don’t let them pass us by! |
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Here and Now by Julia DenosExplore identity and connection, inspire curiosity, and prompt engaging discussions about the here and now. |
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Mindfulness for Kids: 50 Mindfulness Activities for Kindness, Focus, and Calm This boxed card deck includes 50 creative mindfulness games, visualizations, and exercises divided into 5 categories to help children feel grounded, find calm, improve focus, practice loving-kindness and relax. |
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Relax KidsA collection of books, audiobooks, and other products geared to help children become resilient and give them tools and techniques to manage their emotional and mental health. |
Books for Teens
Practicing Mindfulness by Matthew SockolovWith over 75 essential meditations―that take between 5-20 minutes from start to finish―Practicing Mindfulness is an approachable way to apply mindfulness in day-to-day life. |
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Mindfulness for Teens in 10 Minutes a Day by Jennie Marie BattistinThis book features simple and effective exercises―that fit perfectly into a daily routine―making it easy to keep in the here and now, tackle challenges one at a time, and make the most of every minute. |
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The Mindfulness Journal for Teens by Jennie Marie BattistinThis resource gives provides helpful techniques―simple breathing exercises, easy meditations, and journal prompts to help de-stress and live in the moment. |
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5-Minute Mindfulness Meditations for Teens by Nicole LibinThis book offers easy, quick practices that allow you to harness the power of mindfulness meditation―paying immediate attention to your body and thoughts. Crafted for real-world situations, these exercises teach readers to think and respond rather than react. |
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The Mindful Teen by Dzung X. VoThis is a unique program based on mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) to help teens deal with stress. The simple, practical, and easy-to-remember tips in this book can be used every day to help handle any difficult situation more effectively. |
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Mindful Games Activity Cards by Susan Kaiser GreenlandA deck of 55 mindfulness games for kids that takes a playful approach to develop attention and focus, and identifying and regulating emotions. |
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Be Mindful Card Deck for Teens by Gina M. Biegel These cards offer 50 ways to be present as life as it is actually taking place. Teens can use these daily mindfulness strategies when they’re feeling anxious, moody, angry, or just need to relax. |
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Mindfulness for Teen Worry by Jeffrey BernsteinThis book shows teens how living in the moment will dissolve worry and help them stay grounded in the here and now. They’ll learn powerful and easy-to-use mindfulness skills to manage the four most common worry struggles teens face. |
Videos
Cosmic Kids YogaYoga, mindfulness and relaxation for kids. Interactive adventures that build strength, balance, and confidence - and get kids into yoga and mindfulness early! |
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20 Minute Yoga for Youth with Nicole Cardoza Join Nicole Cardoza, in a practice designed specifically to teach kids how to pay attention to their body and the world around them. |
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The Power of Paying Attention by TedXWatch the founder of Yoga Foster discuss her mission to foster accessible, sustainable yoga programs in schools. Her goal is to empower school teachers to create healthier, happier classrooms. |
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3 Minutes Body Scan Meditation by FablefyKids, parents, and educators love this body scan meditation. In Mindfulness for Kids, Shamash Alidina describes the body scan as a way to get in touch with the body, let go of feelings of needing to get stuff done and release pent-up emotions. |
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Zen Den Playlist - Mindfulness Series for Kids by Cosmic KidsLearn to use the traffic light technique for making good choices. Stop - Breathe - Choose! Children have lots of choices to make every day - how can they make things better for themselves and others? |
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5 Mindfulness Exercises for Kids by Cosmic Kids5 easy and practical mindfulness techniques kids from the age of 5+ can use to self-regulate, calm down, tune into their listening and sharpen concentration. |
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Mindfulness: Youth Voices by KeltyMentalHealthThis video features youth and young adults discussing their experiences practicing mindfulness, and how mindfulness has benefited different aspects of their lives |
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Everyday Mindfulness by About Kids HealthThis video explains what everyday mindfulness is, and how being aware of what is going on around you and inside of you can help make life more enjoyable and less stressful. |
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Mindfulness for Teens and Adults by FablefyThe purpose of the mountain meditation is to become grounded and access our inner strength and stability when faced with stressful and challenging circumstances, both internal and external. |
*Disclaimer: Parents, caregivers, and teachers are advised to preview all the resources to ensure they are appropriate for your children or students.