In today’s fast-paced world, we’re always on the lookout for ways to help our kids find calm and focus. That’s where mindfulness apps for kids come in handy. These digital tools offer a fun and engaging way for children to learn important mindfulness techniques, helping them manage stress, improve concentration, and develop emotional intelligence. From guided meditations to interactive yoga sessions, these apps provide a wealth of resources to support our little ones’ mental well-being.
We’ve researched and compiled a list of the 10 best mindfulness apps for kids that are available on various devices. Our review covers a range of options, including popular choices like Calm and Headspace, as well as specialized apps like Moshi Kids and Smiling Mind. We’ll explore how these apps use features such as super stretch yoga, guided meditation, and mindful breathing exercises to make mindfulness practice easy and enjoyable for children. Whether you’re a parent looking to introduce your child to meditation or a teacher seeking tools to bring mindfulness into the classroom, you’ll find valuable insights in our comprehensive guide.
Calm
Image Source: www.calm.com
Kids section overview
I’ve found that Calm’s kids section is a fantastic resource for families looking to explore mindfulness together. It offers easy-to-understand meditations suitable for all ages, from toddlers to teens. The app features a range of topics, making it simple to introduce children to meditation and mindfulness practices. What I love most is how it helps kids deal with current anxieties while building essential life skills.
Sleep stories and soundscapes
One of my favorite features is the sleep stories and soundscapes. These are perfect for creating a tranquil bedtime routine, helping children unwind and drift into a restful sleep. The stories are engaging, and by the end, kids can even participate by saying, “Stop and take a breath… breathe in, breathe out”. This interactive element makes the experience both fun and effective.
Calm for families
I’m impressed with Calm’s family-friendly approach. Their Premium Family Plan, priced at $99.99 per year, allows up to six family members or friends to access Calm Premium. Each member gets their own login, ensuring privacy and personalized experiences. What’s great is that current Calm users can easily switch to the family plan without losing their saved favorites or session history.
Headspace
Image Source: Headspace
for kids features
I’ve found that Headspace offers a fantastic range of mindfulness activities for children. The app divides content into age groups: 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 years old. This tailored approach ensures that kids get age-appropriate exercises. I love how they’ve included fun, interactive meditations like “Calm” and “Cool Off” to help children manage their emotions. There’s even a “Goodnight” meditation to ease kids into bedtime, which has been a lifesaver for many parents I know.
Star Wars collaboration
To make mindfulness even more engaging for kids, Headspace has teamed up with Star Wars. I was thrilled to discover five-minute animated breathing exercises featuring beloved characters like Yoda and BB-8. These exercises are not only fun but also effective in teaching mindfulness techniques. For instance, in Yoda’s meditation, kids can use the Force to focus on their breathing. There are even Star Wars-themed sleepcasts, allowing children to drift off to the sounds of familiar planets and landscapes.
Headspace family plan
I’m impressed with Headspace’s family-friendly approach. Their Family Plan offers complete access to the Headspace library for up to six family members at $99.99 a year. This plan includes meditations on relationships, Headspace for Kids, and exercises designed to bring mindfulness to family activities. What’s great is that each family member gets their own login, ensuring privacy and personalized experiences. It’s an excellent way to introduce mindfulness to the whole family.
Moshi Kids
Image Source: Moshi app
I’ve found that Moshi Kids is a delightful mindfulness app for children, offering a magical world of characters and games. The app features over 400 pieces of content, including bedtime stories, meditations, and relaxation exercises. What I love most is how it helps kids fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Studies have shown that Moshi helps children fall asleep 28 minutes earlier and stay asleep 22 minutes longer.
Moshi characters and games
The app’s characters are adorable and engaging, making mindfulness fun for kids. I particularly enjoy the interactive activities like coloring pages and puzzles that promote creativity and problem-solving skills. These games offer a safe space for children to learn and grow through healthy digital play.
Bedtime stories and meditations
Moshi’s bedtime stories are a highlight, featuring soothing narrations that gradually slow down to lull children to sleep. I’ve found the guided meditations especially helpful for managing big feelings and teaching kids healthy coping mechanisms. The app even includes special guest stories narrated by Goldie Hawn and Patrick Stewart.
Moshi Kids app organization
I appreciate how well-organized the app is, with content tailored to different age groups from 0-12 years old. The interface is user-friendly, allowing kids to easily navigate through stories, meditations, and games. Parents can create personalized playlists for their children, ensuring a smooth bedtime routine.
Smiling Mind
Image Source: Smiling Mind
I’ve found that Smiling Mind is a fantastic free mindfulness app for kids and families. It offers a range of age-specific programs, making it easy for children to learn and practice mindfulness techniques. The app includes over 190 sessions designed by psychologists, tailored for different age groups from 5-12 years old. What I love most is how it helps kids develop mental fitness skills through fun, interactive activities.
Age-specific programs
Smiling Mind’s age-specific content is a standout feature. The app divides its programs into different age groups: 7-11 years, 12-15 years, and 16-22 years. This tailored approach ensures that children receive age-appropriate mindfulness exercises and guided meditations. I’ve noticed that this helps kids engage more effectively with the content, making it easier for them to understand and apply mindfulness techniques in their daily lives.
Family mindfulness activities
One aspect I really appreciate about Smiling Mind is its focus on family mindfulness. The app offers activities that parents and children can do together, fostering a shared experience of mindfulness practice. These family-oriented exercises help create a positive mental health routine for the whole family. I’ve found that practicing mindfulness together not only benefits the children but also supports parents’ mental health and wellbeing.
Smiling Mind’s free content
What sets Smiling Mind apart is its commitment to accessibility. As a not-for-profit organization, they’ve kept the app free for individuals and families for over 12 years. This means that everyone can access high-quality mindfulness content without any financial barriers. The app includes a wide range of resources, from guided meditations to interactive activities, all designed to promote mental fitness and wellbeing in children and adults alike.
Cosmic Kids Yoga
Image Source: Cosmic Kids App
I’ve found Cosmic Kids Yoga to be a fantastic mindfulness app for kids. It offers popular themed yoga sessions that blend storytelling with yoga poses, making it engaging for children. The app features adventures based on movies like Frozen and Star Wars, which kids absolutely love.
Popular themed yoga sessions
These sessions are a hit with children, combining yoga with their favorite characters. I’ve noticed how easily kids follow along, improving their focus and physical awareness.
Mindfulness for children
The app includes Zen Den mindfulness sessions and Peace Out guided relaxations. These help children learn to manage stress and emotions effectively.
Cosmic Kids Yoga app benefits
From my experience, the app offers a safe, ad-free environment for kids to practice yoga and mindfulness. It’s available on various devices, making it convenient for families to use together.
Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame
Image Source: App Store – Apple
I’ve found that this app is a fantastic tool for teaching kids problem-solving skills. It uses a three-step method to help children manage their emotions and tackle everyday challenges. The app features an interactive monster helper that kids can assist in calming down and finding solutions. What I love most is how it makes mindfulness fun and accessible for young children.
Three-step problem-solving method
The app’s core feature is its simple yet effective “Breathe, Think, Do” strategy. I’ve seen how it helps kids learn to take deep breaths, think of possible solutions, and then act on them. This approach is great for developing self-control and persistence in children.
Interactive monster helper
Kids get to help a friendly Sesame Street monster friend work through common problems. I find this interactive element really engaging for children. They can tap the monster’s belly to help it take deep breaths and choose from different strategies to solve problems.
Parent tips and strategies
The app includes a robust parent section with resources for navigating everyday challenges. I appreciate how it offers tips for adults to model the “Breathe, Think, Do” strategy, reinforcing these important skills at home.
Ninja Focus
Image Source: Ninja Focus
I’ve found Ninja Focus to be an engaging mindfulness app for kids aged 3-12. It offers a wealth of guided meditations, bedtime stories, and yoga flows designed by child development experts. What I love most is how it helps children improve focus, regulate emotions, and sleep better in a fun, game-like setting.
Mood-based content
The app provides content tailored to different moods and needs. I appreciate how it helps kids identify and manage difficult emotions through interactive exercises. There are guided meditations for stress relief, anxiety reduction, and improved concentration.
Pep talks for kids and parents
One unique feature I’ve noticed is the inclusion of pep talks and positive affirmation cards. These offer encouragement and support for both children and parents, making mindfulness a family activity.
Ninja Focus age range
Ninja Focus caters to children from 3 to 12 years old. I’ve found that the content is easily adaptable, with simple meditations for younger kids and more imaginative exercises for older ones. This wide age range makes it a versatile tool for families with children of different ages.
Piku
Image Source: App Store – Apple
I’ve found Piku to be an engaging mindfulness app for kids aged 3-12. It offers guided meditations divided into six categories: Magic Journey, Bedtime, Calm, Love and Kindness, Emotions, and Focus. The app helps children improve focus, regulate emotions, and sleep better in a fun, game-like setting.
Meditation categories for kids
Piku’s categories cater to different needs, from calming bedtime stories to exercises for managing emotions. I appreciate how it helps kids identify and handle difficult feelings through interactive activities.
Emotion-focused content
The app includes meditations for stress relief, anxiety reduction, and improved concentration. It teaches children to recognize and manage emotions in a healthy, reflective way, equipping them with tools to stay calm and in control.
Piku’s age-appropriate approach
Piku uses friendly characters and imaginative stories to introduce complex topics like boundaries and overcoming shyness. This approach makes mindfulness accessible and engaging for young children, fostering their emotional growth and self-awareness.
Mindful Powers
Image Source: mindfulpowersforkids.com
I’ve found Mindful Powers to be an engaging mindfulness app for kids aged 7-10. It offers interactive, voice-guided sessions that help children master mindfulness techniques. The app’s unique feature is the Flibbertigibbet, a cute sea creature that kids can calm by gently petting it.
Focus timer feature
The Focus Time section includes a self-set timer that helps kids concentrate on tasks. When activated, the Flibbertigibbet stays on screen, encouraging children to remain focused. If they try to use the device during this time, the creature gets stressed, teaching kids about perseverance and patience.
Interactive meditations
Mindful Play offers a series of progressive, voice-guided meditation sessions. These stories teach children about breathing techniques, body scans, and noticing their environment. The youthful narrator’s voice makes it relatable for kids, making mindfulness practice fun and engaging.
Mindful Powers target age group
Designed for children aged 7-10, Mindful Powers aims to be part of a child’s daily routine. It helps develop skills like calmness, stress reduction, and emotional regulation. The app’s kid-friendly approach makes it an excellent tool for introducing mindfulness to young minds.
DreamyKid Meditation App
Image Source: DreamyKid
I’ve found DreamyKid to be a comprehensive mindfulness app for kids aged 3-17. It offers a wide range of meditation categories, including general meditations, guided journeys, and issue-based content. The app aims to help children manage stress, improve focus, and develop emotional regulation skills.
Guided visualizations
DreamyKid’s guided journeys are like mental trips for kids. They use imagination to explore calming places, fostering feelings of empowerment and tranquility. These visualizations are great for helping children relax and build confidence.
Calming meditations for kids
The app provides everyday meditations to start the day positively, make it great, or help children fall asleep. There are also issue-based meditations for specific concerns like anxiety, anger management, and ADHD.
DreamyKid app features
DreamyKid includes a timer, background ambiance options, and video meditations. It offers deeply discounted plans for schools and hospitals, making mindfulness accessible to more children. The app’s diverse programs cater to various situations, helping kids regulate their feelings and grow happier.
Conclusion
The world of mindfulness apps for kids has expanded significantly, offering a variety of tools to help children manage stress, improve focus, and develop emotional intelligence. From popular choices like Calm and Headspace to specialized apps like Moshi Kids and Smiling Mind, parents and educators now have a wealth of options to introduce mindfulness to children in fun and engaging ways. These apps use features such as guided meditations, interactive stories, and yoga sessions to make mindfulness practice accessible and enjoyable for young minds.
As we’ve explored in this guide, each app has its unique strengths, catering to different age groups and addressing various aspects of mindfulness. Whether it’s helping kids fall asleep faster, teaching them to manage big emotions, or improving their concentration, these apps provide valuable resources for supporting children’s mental well-being. By incorporating these digital tools into daily routines, we can help our kids develop important life skills that will serve them well into adulthood.
