Mindfulness for Kids During the Holidays: Creating Calm Amid the Cheer

The holiday season is often filled with joy, excitement, and family gatherings. But for children, it can also be a time of overstimulation and heightened emotions. The hustle and bustle, changes in routine, and anticipation of celebrations can lead to stress or overwhelm. Mindfulness offers a wonderful way to help kids stay grounded and enjoy the season to its fullest.

Practical ways to bring mindfulness into your child’s holiday season, creating moments of calm and connection amidst the excitement:

Kick off each morning with a simple gratitude practice. Ask your child to name one or two things they are thankful for during the holidays. Setting aside time each day to talk about things you’re grateful for - it could be as simple as a warm hug, a favorite holiday tradition, or even a cozy pair of socks - helps kids shift their focus from “wants” to appreciating what they already have, bringing a sense of contentment and joy, and helping them focus on the positive and appreciate the magic of the season.

*Tip: Create a holiday-themed gratitude journal for kids to jot down their thoughts each day.*




Teach your child a fun breathing exercise to use when they feel overwhelmed. For example, “Candy Cane Breathing” involves imagining they’re smelling a peppermint stick. Breathe in deeply through the nose, hold for a moment, and slowly exhale through the mouth.

*Tip: Pair breathing exercises with a favorite holiday scent, like cinnamon or pine, to make it extra festive.*

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❤️ Start the Day with Gratitude

🌬️Practice Deep Breathing

🎄Turn Holiday Moments into Mindful Moments 

Use everyday holiday activities, like decorating the tree or baking cookies, as opportunities for mindfulness. Encourage your child to notice the colors, smells, and textures around them. For example, ask them to describe the scent of gingerbread or the sparkle of tinsel—this helps them stay present and engaged.

🖍️Mindful Holiday Crafts

Engage in creative activities like making ornaments, decorating cookies, or drawing holiday scenes. Encourage kids to focus on each step of the process, using all their senses to notice the colors, textures, and smells.

*Idea: Try a mindful coloring sheet with winter themes to provide a quiet, meditative activity.*

⭐Savor the Moments

Encourage mindful eating during holiday meals or treats. Have your child take small bites of a favorite cookie, noticing the taste, texture, and aroma. This simple practice helps them slow down and truly enjoy the experience.

🧘‍♂️Create a Cozy Calm Corner

Set up a special spot in your home where kids can retreat if they need a break. Include soft blankets, pillows, and calming activities like books, sensory toys, or guided mindfulness recordings.

*Tip: Decorate the corner with twinkling lights or festive elements to make it inviting.*

❄️Introduce Mindful Breathing 

Teach your child simple, holiday-themed breathing exercises. For example, have them take “snowflake breaths” by imagining they’re blowing a snowflake gently through the air. Deep breathing can help them calm their bodies and minds during moments of excitement or stress.

📚Mindful Storytime

Read holiday-themed books together, taking time to pause and discuss the characters’ feelings or the lessons in the story. Use this as an opportunity to teach empathy and self-awareness.

📆 Create a Mindfulness Advent Calendar 

Each day, add a small mindful activity to an advent calendar. Activities could include drawing something they’re thankful for, doing a random act of kindness, or spending 5 minutes quietly listening to holiday music. It’s a fun way to weave mindfulness into their daily routine.

🛏️ Reflect on the Day

Before bedtime, take a few minutes to reflect on the day. Ask questions like, “What was your favorite moment today?” or “How did you show kindness to someone?” This helps your child wind down for a restful sleep by processing their experiences and emotions and ending the day on a positive note,

Tip: use the Journals and Jammies journal prompts to help you! You can find these on IG and Pinterest

🎁The Gift of Presence

Mindfulness during the holidays isn’t about eliminating excitement but about creating balance. By weaving small, intentional practices into your child’s day, you can help them navigate the season with more ease and joy. These moments of presence not only benefit your child but also strengthen your connection as a family.

Get the Elf on the Shelf Mindful Ideas for Kids and learn how to introduce or include mindfulness into your child's day with easy Elf on the Shelf ideas, + resources to help you bring these ideas to life.

experience the magic of mindfulness this holiday season and beyond...

From breathing exercises that feel like magic to gratitude-filled crafts and calming bedtime rituals, these ideas are here to bring more joy (and less chaos!) to your holiday season 🌟

By introducing mindfulness in small, enjoyable ways, you can help your child experience more calm and connection during the holidays - and carry these tools into the year ahead! From gratitude practices to bedtime reflections, these activities will help your child embrace the true spirit of the season with peace and presence.


Embrace mindfulness as a gift for your family this holiday season—a gift that truly lasts a lifetime.


Mindful games and activities aren’t just fun—they help kids manage big emotions, stay calm, and truly enjoy the season. Plus, they create meaningful moments for your family to connect and slow down together.