Calming Apps & Online Activities for K-5 Students
Scroll through the slides to read about different apps available to aid in calming and relaxation
Calming Apps
Super Stretch Yoga HD
This app uses yoga stretches to help teach kids the importance of relaxation and breathing. Each pose is introduced with a short animation, a live video with a child doing the pose, and an explanation.
Price: free
Available for: iOS
Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame
This app is great for introducing kids to the concept of calming down using breathing. The app teaches kids the “Breathe, Think, Do” method. Kids help an animated monster facing a frustrating situation to calm down by taking long, deep breaths. Afterwards, they help the monster think of a solution and do it.
Price: Free
Available for: Android, iOS
Smiling Mind
This app was developed by psychologists and educators to help children practice daily meditation and mindfulness exercises. The exercises last approximately 10 minutes and the app has programs for all ages.
Price: free
Available for: Android, iOS
Headspace
Headspace was an app originally developed for adults but now has specific mindfulness activities for kids, with five themes: Calm, Focus, Kindness, Sleep, and Wake Up. Each activity is customized for three different age groups, Under 5, 6–8, and 10–12, and each has a role for parents.
Price: Free to try, subscription options available
Available for: Android, iOS
Calming Bottle
This is a visual app that shows a swirling bottle of virtual glitter to watch as you breathe. It is a great alternative to the real thing that you can take with you anywhere! You can set the color of glitter that your child prefers and they can watch as the glitter slowly floats to the bottom.
Price: free
Available for: iOS
Sleep Meditation for Kids
This app is a children's meditation app to aid in falling asleep created by yoga teacher and Montessori teacher Christiane Kerr. Each meditation story has an underlay of subtle sound effects and gentle music which combined with Christiane's calming voice make them irresistible and a deeply relaxing.
Price: free
Available: iOS
Cosmic Kids!
This app is a children's app that provides hundreds of yoga and mindfulness videos with fun themes.
Price: $10/month, offers free trial
Available: iOS, Android, Roku, AppleTV, fireTV
Calm Counter
This app is a visual and audio tool to help kids calm down when they are angry or anxious. It opens with the “I need a break screen”, which transforms into a red, angry face icon with the number 10. Each tap makes the icon calmer and counts backward from 10. This is followed by a deep breath. It also includes a story about anger and explanations of things that can help you to calm down. It was designed for kids with autism and would be helpful for any child feeling strong emotions.
Price: $2.99
Available for: Android, iOS
Breathing Bubbles
This is an app aimed at children with anxiety, specifically five-year-olds and above, but can be used for younger children with the help of a loved one. It encourages them to leave their worries behind, with the help of Manny the Manatee. Children are asked to name their emotion and how strong it is. Then they must choose whether to release a worry or receive a joy; with the former, a virtual bubble floats away and with the latter, a bubble comes towards them..
Price: free
Available for: iOS
Calming Online Activities
Soothing Sounds and Mindful Listening
Calming Activities