Picture this: your little one’s practically vibrating with holiday excitement, bouncing off the walls and chattering nonstop. While this kind of enthusiasm is lovely to see, too much excitement can sometimes bubble over into meltdowns. That’s where Mindful Monsters comes in. These playful breathing games introduce calming techniques and emotional regulation in a way that’s actually fun. At The Crème School, we’ve put together this simple guide to help you use breathing exercises to support your child when they’re feeling overwhelmed.
Monster Breaths To Tame Big Feelings
Kids tend to tune out the minute something feels like homework. But tell them they can breathe fire like a dragon, and suddenly they’re all in. Mindful Monster breathing games work because they ditch the serious tone and make self-regulation feel like fun. Deep breathing can be used as a powerful calming and coping tactic that’s incredibly simple; no equipment is needed, and it works anywhere.
Try these monster moves with your kids:
- Dragon breath: Sit comfortably, take a big breath in through the nose, then open your mouth wide, stick out your tongue, and exhale hard as if you’re breathing fire. This technique energizes kids while making them feel powerful.
- Balloon breathing: Place your hands on your stomach, take a deep breath in through your nose, and focus on feeling your belly inflate like a colorful balloon.
- Bubble monster: Breathe in through your nose, then gently exhale as if blowing giant soap bubbles.
Give each breathing style a silly monster name, such as Puff the Friendly Dragon or Bubbly Bob, to make the techniques memorable. That way, kids are more likely to call on their monster friends when big emotions strike.
“Breathing exercises are a great way to help children calm when they are feeling afraid, anxious or angry. It might seem simple, but breathing is a powerful self-regulation tool for children and adults. When we are taking deep breaths, our bodies can relax, and our minds are able to refocus. Games are a great way to introduce different forms of breathing exercises in a fun way when children are calm and receptive. As you join in on the fun you are modeling and building their confidence through supported practice. Then when those moments of anxiousness or big emotions arise you can gently remind them of the strategy and guide them through it. After they are calm, praise them for their efforts and help them problem solve next steps if needed. Teaching children different self-regulation strategies like breathing exercises help them feel empowered to navigate their feelings more independently.” — Tyreca Elliott, Manager, Individualized Education Services
Practice Calm Before the Chaos
The secret is to practice when your kids are already calm, not mid-tantrum. When breathing techniques are introduced during peaceful moments, children are more likely to remember and use them when emotions become overwhelming.
Try these playful activities:
Freeze and Breathe: Let kids dance and move freely until the music stops. Then freeze and take three “monster” breaths before starting again.
Monster Yoga is another favorite. Encourage kids to move like animals; a sleepy bear taking slow breaths in child’s pose, or a stretching cat inhaling deeply while arching its back. These movements make mindfulness feel natural and fun.
Breathing Buddy: Have your child lie down with a stuffed animal on their tummy. Watch together as their furry friend rises and falls with each breath. This simple activity helps children focus and self-soothe.
These calming routines help develop what experts call interoceptive awareness—the ability to notice cues like hunger, heart rate, or the need to use the bathroom. This awareness supports emotional health and well-being for both children and adults.
Building Confidence and Independence With Breathing
Mindful breathing gives kids an amazing superpower: the ability to manage their own emotions when times get tough. It’s a powerful tool that builds real confidence and emotional independence that stretches far beyond the holiday season.
To support this development:
Model the behavior yourself. When your child sees you taking slow, deep breaths during stressful moments, whether you’re stuck in traffic or dealing with a difficult phone call, they’ll learn that mindful breathing is for everyone, not just kids.
Praise effort, not perfection. Encouragement builds confidence. Try simple affirmations like:
- “I love how hard you tried to make your belly big like a balloon.”
- “You remembered dragon breath when you felt mad. That’s brave.”
Practice regularly. The best time to explore breathing techniques is during calm moments, not meltdowns. Consistent practice helps children understand how and when to use these tools.
When kids believe they have the tools to calm themselves, they naturally become more confident.
Using mindfulness practices supports children in school, on the playground, and in everyday interactions. It helps them:
- Manage emotions during challenging moments
- Improve focus and attention
- Strengthen self-regulation
- Turn frustration or anxiety into learning opportunities
Transform Holiday Excitement Into Peaceful Moments
The beautiful thing about Mindful Monsters is that these breathing games don’t dull the holiday excitement, they help kids channel it so they can savor these special times without becoming overwhelmed. At The Crème School, our curriculum focuses on emotional learning as well as academics. We integrate calming techniques into our daily routines, helping children build emotional skills alongside reading and math.
Ready to see how we can support your child’s emotional development through play and mindfulness? Schedule a tour today to discover how Crème de la Crème School nurtures confidence, self-regulation, and lifelong skills.