Post-covid, our kids have been facing a lot of mental issues. I have seen a marked rise of depression, anxiety and suicidal-tendencies in kids. Mindfulness is one practice that can be an antidote for the mental stress that our kids go through lately.

Here are a few ideas:

1. Breath Olympics: Challenge your little one to a “Breath Olympics” – who can take the slowest, deepest breath? Winner gets a tickle attack!
2. Gratitude Guru: Imagine if kids had a “Gratitude Guru” app, where they earn points for spotting things they’re thankful for. Unlock a level, get a sticker – mindfulness gamified!
3. Mindful Munchies: Turn meals into a taste adventure! Ask them to rate each bite like food critics – “Is this a 5-star broccoli or a 3-star carrot?”
4. Nature Detectives: Take a nature walk and become “Nature Detectives.” Count how many bird sounds you hear or give flowers secret agent names. Double O Orchid, reporting for duty!
5. Listening Olympics: Put on a blindfold and have a “Listening Olympics.” Can they identify if it’s the cat purring or you whispering silly jokes?
6. Yoga Ninja Challenge: Pretend to be “Yoga Ninjas” striking different poses. Bonus points for holding the tree pose without wobbling!
7. Colorful Calmness: Turn coloring into a mindful mission. Can they color the entire page without going outside the lines? Michelangelo would be proud!
8. Super Mindful Playtime: Declare a “Super Mindful Playtime” where toys come to life, and adventures happen in slow motion.
9. Storytime Adventure: During storytime, create a magical world where characters pause to take deep breaths. The dragon needs mindfulness too!
10. Breath-Counting Race: Turn breath counting into a race. Who can count to 10 with deep breaths faster – the child or a speedy turtle?
11. The Great Greeting Quest: Make greetings an epic adventure! How many different ways can they say “hello”? Alien greetings are totally acceptable!
12. Mindful Sneak Attack: Sneak a “Breathing Buddy” into their backpack. When they find it, it’s time for a secret mission: calm breaths in the wild!
13. Silence Seekers: Challenge the family to a “Silence Seekers” competition. The first one to giggle loses. Winner gets the comfiest pillow for a nap.
14. Masterpiece Mingle: Art time becomes “Masterpiece Mingle.” Swap drawings mid-creation, and continue each other’s artistic endeavors. Monet meets mini-Monet!
15. Tech Time-Travel: Imagine if screen time came with a “Mindfulness Meter.” Earn extra minutes by answering a pop quiz on what the cat was doing in the background.
16. Breath-Sticker Blast: Stick “Breathing Buddy” stickers on unsuspecting objects. Suddenly, the teddy bear or the lunchbox becomes a reminder to take a calm breath!
17. Reflect-a-Rama: At bedtime, have a “Reflect-a-Rama.” Share the best and silliest moments of the day, giving each one a rating out of 10 laughter points.
18. Emoticon Extravaganza: Introduce “Emoticon Expressions.” Draw funny faces to represent emotions, making it a game of guessing the feeling.
19. Weather Whispers: Pretend the weather is a secret message from nature. “Today’s forecast: giggles with a chance of jumping in puddles.”
20. Puzzle-Stravaganza: Turn puzzle time into “Puzzle-Stravaganza.” Each piece is a tiny victory, and finishing the puzzle is like winning a mindfulness medal!
21. Breathing Sticker Wars: Launch a “Breathing Sticker Wars” challenge. Stick stickers on each other and see who can stay calm the longest without bursting into laughter.
22. Hiking Hijinks: On a nature hike, pretend the trees are giving high-fives, and the rocks are secret agents. Nature is the best comedy show in town!
23. Sleepytime Safari: Bedtime becomes a “Sleepytime Safari.” The goal: spot the sleepiest animal before drifting off to dreamland.
24. Bedtime Boogie: Create a “Bedtime Boogie” routine. Dance out the day’s energy before settling down for a night of sweet dreams.
25. Emotion Explosion: Make a game of expressing emotions. Turn it into an “Emotion Explosion” where feelings burst out in colorful confetti!

The views expressed in this article should not be considered as a substitute for a physician’s advice. Always make sure to seek a doctor or a professional’s advice before proceeding with the home treatment plan.