Guided Meditation For Kids

Maybe you recently went to a yoga class and wrapped up the session with a peaceful, guided meditation. You left the studio feeling rejuvenated and renewed, right? You can actually harness the power of guided meditation at home, for yourself, and for your kids. Whether you're looking for a way to help your toddler wind down at the end of the day, or want to de-stress your high school student, consider using guided meditation as a tool. There are just so many benefits to meditation for kids!

What is guided meditation?

First things first - what, exactly, is guided meditation? You've probably heard the word 'meditation' before... and we're guessing you have a visual of someone sitting in a lotus position with their eyes closed. In reality, you (and your kiddo!) can meditate just about anywhere. And when you have some sort of guide, whether an audio recording or a script to follow, your meditation can be more successful - especially if you're new to practicing mindfulness.

What are the benefits of meditation for kids?

There are a plethora of benefits associated with meditation for kids, including better sleep, reduced stress and anxiety, heightened focus, and even improved self-esteem. In a 2019 study, high school students who practiced meditation were found to have a longer attention span. And a 2021 study found that elementary school children who practiced mindfulness slept an average of 74 extra minutes per night.

Where can I find guided meditation resources?

Fortunately, guided meditation can be done at home... in many cases, for free. You just need a quiet space and a little bit of time! Here are some of the best free (or low-cost!) guided meditation tools to try right now:

• Headspace is a subscription-based app that offers a free trial and has a bunch of guided meditation recordings that are great for kids of all ages. Check them out on YouTube, too!
• Green Child Magazine offers a digital library of free meditation scripts that you can read to your child. 
• Chopra.com has a few short, simple guided meditations - your kids can go back to these on their own, by memory, when they're ready to try solo mindfulness.
• Mindful Powers is a mindfulness app that's great for elementary school students. It's free to try, and then $4.99 to unlock the rest of the content.
• Smiling Mind is a free app with hundreds of mindfulness activities, including breathing meditations and sensory exercises. 

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