Fall can be a busy season. School has started again, the weather changes from hot to cool, the leaves start changing colors and it’s the perfect weather for outdoor walks. It is a beautiful cool season. Fall is a great time to incorporate mindfulness into our routines.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a way of being present in each moment, noticing what you are experiencing—with compassion and without judgment. You can read more about the Benefits of Mindfulness here. Practicing mindfulness during a busy season help you be fully present in each moment and engaged with whatever comes at you. This can allow you to savor moments and navigate challenges with greater clarity and compassion

Benefits of Mindfulness in Children

Children who practice mindfulness will find it much easier to focus and actively engage in the classroom and at home. Practicing mindfulness and breathing exercises can be very powerful for kids as they grow and navigate the world we live in. Students in the classroom who use mindfulness will bring a sense of collective calm to the space as well making the learning environment more favorable for everyone. Incorporating mindfulness into fall can be fun!

Fall Mindfulness Activities for Kids

Fall is a wonderful time to engage children in mindfulness activities that connect them with the new beginning of the season and the beauty that spring brings.

Mindfulness should be practiced when kids are calm and ready to learn and once they have practiced multiple times, it becomes easier to use mindfulness in times of need.

Here are some simple fall themed mindfulness practices that are perfect for fall and don’t take a lot of time.

Deep Breathing:

Deep breathing exercises are designed to support self-regulation, mindfulness and brain break needs.

Many times, kids can struggle at home and school with anger or frustration and they lack the coping strategies needed in those situations. They require tools to improve self-regulation. Children, like adults, experience worry and anxiety, fears and can be nervous in life situations and having simple strategies on hand can help them cope during the day.

One way to do this is to use mindfulness strategies like deep breathing exercises. Children who practice mindfulness will find it much easier to focus and actively engage in the classroom. Practicing mindfulness and breathing exercises can be very powerful for kids as they grow and navigate the world we live in. Students in the classroom who use mindfulness will bring a sense of collective calm to the space as well making the learning environment more favorable for everyone. Incorporating mindfulness can be fun !

Here are some fun and easy ways to incorporate deep breathing into fall!

If you are looking at this post around around Halloween, then you can try these Halloween-themed mindfulness activities for Kids:

1.Witch’s Breath

2. Mummy Breath

3. Halloween Cat Breath

2. Fall Meditations for Kids

There are lots of benefits for meditation for kids such as improved sleep, increased focus, reduced stress and improved emotional regulation.

Here are some fall meditations for kids that you can try:

3. Fall Mindful Walking.

Getting outside and getting fresh air and sunshine is a great way to relax the body and calm the mind. Go on a nature walk with your kids. Encourage them to use their senses to notice the sights, sounds, smells and textures of spring. Take time on the walk, pausing occasionally to listen to sounds of birds or other animals. Pause to feel the warmth of the sun on their bodies. Look around and observe the fall colors and trees. Walking can help create a pause in the day and help kids reset their nervous system.

4. Cloud Gazing Mindfulness:

Find a clean grassy spot and lay on your backs. Breathe in and out while looking at the clouds. Encourage children to observe the shapes and movements of the clouds without judgment, allowing their imaginations to wander freely. Guide them in mindful breathing as they relax and connect with the vastness of the sky. Read more and find a simple and short cloud gazing meditation practice HERE.

5. Gratitude Practice:

Using fall as an inspiration, have children think of one thing they are grateful for in the fall. This could be the trees changing colors, sun or clouds, animals or plants. Encourage them to draw a picture or make a piece of art surrounding the thing that they are the most grateful for. Encourage them to focus on the process of creating art mindfully, paying attention to the colors, shapes, and textures they use. Discussing their art and gratitude for elements of spring is a great way to enhance mindfulness. You could even collect items on a mindful walk and make a fall gratitude collage.

6. Outdoor Yoga

Practice yoga outdoors in a grassy area or garden. Lead children through simple yoga poses inspired by fall such as Tree Pose , Butterfly Pose and simple Sun Salutations to encourage the sun. Encourage them to feel connected to nature as they move and breathe mindfully.