The summer holidays are here… a time many of us look forward to with excitement and relief. No school runs, more time for play, and a chance to slow down. But let’s be real: summer can also bring some challenges, especially when it comes to managing kids’ emotions and energy.
If you’re a parent or teacher wondering how to support children through the long, unstructured days, you’re not alone. That’s why I wanted to share some simple, mindful tips for kids over summer. Easy ways to help them tune into their feelings, find calm, and enjoy the break a little more peacefully.
Why Mindfulness Matters Over the Summer
School days come with routine, structure, and clear expectations, and for many kids, this helps them feel safe and secure. When summer hits, that structure disappears, and suddenly the days can feel longer, messier, and less predictable. For children who thrive on routine, this shift can lead to overwhelm, anxiety, or even boredom.
Mindful tips for kids over summer aren’t about adding more to your plate or creating “tasks” they have to do. Instead, these are gentle ways to bring awareness to what they’re feeling and experiencing, helping them build emotional resilience naturally.
It’s about noticing without judgment, checking in with themselves, and learning to navigate big feelings… because summer can bring plenty of those!
Start the Day with a Simple Check-In
One of the easiest mindful tips for kids is starting the day with a simple check-in question. It takes just 30 seconds but can make a world of difference.
Try asking things like:
- “What’s one thing you’re looking forward to today?”
- “How does your body feel this morning?”
- “If your mood was a colour, what colour would it be?”
These questions don’t require long answers or deep conversations, sometimes a quick word or even a shrug is enough. The key is to invite kids to tune into how they’re feeling right now. This tiny habit builds their emotional vocabulary and helps them feel seen and understood.
Keep It Casual and Consistent
The beauty of mindful tips for kids is that they don’t need to be a big production. The goal is to keep things casual and consistent.
Maybe it’s a quick check-in while brushing teeth or over breakfast. Or a chat while waiting in the car or walking to the park. Whatever feels natural for you and your child.
And if some days don’t go like this? That’s perfectly okay. Mindfulness is about being kind to yourself and your kids, not creating extra stress or pressure.
Other Mindful Tips for Kids You Can Try
If you’re looking to add a few more mindful moments throughout the day, here are some easy ideas that don’t require special equipment or skills:
1. Breathing Breaks
When kids (and adults!) get overwhelmed, their breathing often becomes shallow. A few slow, deep breaths can help calm the nervous system and bring a sense of peace. Try a simple breathing exercise like “smell the flower, blow out the candle”. Breathe in like you’re smelling a flower, then breathe out like you’re blowing out a candle. Repeat this a few times.
2. Create a Feelings Jar
This is a fun, creative way for kids to notice their emotions. Get a jar and some small slips of paper. Whenever they feel a strong emotion, be it happy, sad, or frustrated, they write or draw it and put it in the jar. You can open the jar together once a week and talk about what’s inside, helping kids name and understand their feelings.
3. Encourage Creative Expression
Whether it’s drawing, writing, dancing, or playing music, creative activities are a fantastic outlet for big feelings. They give kids a way to express themselves without needing the “right” words. If you’d like, you can download our free printable with fun creative prompts to help kids explore their emotions in a playful way here.
4. Keep Some Routine
While summer is for fun and freedom, keeping some consistency helps kids feel grounded. Regular meal times, enough sleep, and some screen-free playtime can do wonders for emotional balance.
5. Mindful Movement
Whether it’s a walk in nature, gentle yoga, or just some stretching, moving the body mindfully helps children connect to themselves and the present moment. Plus, it’s great for releasing excess energy!
Be Gentle and Patient with Them and Yourself
One of the most important mindful tips for kids over summer is to be gentle. Kids will have good days and challenging days, just like adults. Some days they’ll be full of joy and energy, and other days, they may be grumpy or withdrawn.
That’s all part of being human. Offering patience and understanding, rather than rushing to “fix” or “solve,” helps children learn to sit with their feelings and know they’re okay no matter what.
Supporting Emotional Well-being is a Gift That Lasts Beyond Summer
Mindful tips for kids over summer aren’t just about managing holiday chaos… they’re about helping children build lifelong skills of self-awareness, confidence, and resilience.
At M.Y.T.E, we believe that emotional well-being is just as important as academic learning, and that small mindful habits can make a big difference.
If you’d like more ideas, tools, or support for helping your child or students over summer and beyond, feel free to reach out or explore our M.Y.T.E Toolkit here.
Wishing You a Summer of Ease and Connection
The summer holidays don’t have to be perfect… just a little easier, a little more peaceful, and full of moments where kids feel heard, supported, and loved.
Here’s to a summer of mindful moments and gentle connections.