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As a parent, it’s easy to assume that self-care is the domain of adults. However, the goal of this article is to show that self-care can be encouraged in kids as well. With these simple activities, your child will learn how to take care of themselves and enjoy the process!
Get Outside
Get outside. For adults and children alike, getting outside can be a great way to get some fresh air and exercise. Running around outside with a friend is a surefire way to burn off excess energy, no matter how old you are. Even if you don’t want to go on an actual hike or run, just getting out into nature is enough—and it doesn’t have to involve any sort of physical activity at all! Just sitting on a park bench while looking at trees will do wonders for your mental health and happiness.
Ride bikes! Even if your kid isn’t old enough to ride without training wheels yet, he or she might still enjoy going for rides in the neighborhood with you (or whatever other grown-ups happen to be available). Your child will learn about balance and coordination as he or she learns how not fall over every time someone passes by him/her on the street—and best of all: this activity is free! All you need are two bicycles and some good company; no money needed here!
Have picnics together! There’s nothing quite like getting together with family members or friends at lunchtime (or breakfast time) under sunny skies while eating delicious foods that make us feel happy inside—and what better way than through food itself? A picnic basket filled with yummy treats will ensure everyone has something tangy & sweet/crunchy & spicy/savory & creamy (etc.) without having any dishes dirtying up after-with these items already cleaned out beforehand so they’re ready when needed most–and all within reach when placed conveniently atop one another rather than scattered across multiple locations throughout house/apartment space where pollution could become dangerously high levels before anyone knew what hit them!”
Make New Goals
Now is a great time to reflect on the past year and make goals for the new year.
Make time for yourself by setting aside some alone time throughout each day. This could include taking a walk or reading a book, but try not to spend too much time in front of screens as this can negatively impact your sleep quality!
Set a timer on your phone or computer so that you don’t overdo it on social media. You want to be mindful about how much screen time you get each day, especially if you have younger children who are also looking at their phones often!
Get creative with ways to set reminders and keep track of your progress throughout the year. Try writing down your daily activities in a journal and take pictures periodically throughout the year so that one day when all those memories start flooding into your mind again, they’ll still be there waiting patiently (and maybe even reminding you) about what an amazing job everyone did this past year!
Engage In Sensory Play
A great way to encourage self-care is through sensory play. Bringing the outside in and engaging all your senses is a wonderful way for kids to have fun, be creative and get active. It can help reduce stress, improve fine motor skills and language development, boost social skills like problem solving.
Sensory play involves exploring the senses with hands-on activities (tasting, smelling or feeling) that use materials like sand or water which stimulate the sense of touch through exploration. For example:
- You can make homemade slime for your kids using glue and add food color as well as glitter!
- Create a sensory bin full of rice inside which you can place cups filled with different colored water; let them explore while they learn about cause & effect!
Drink Water
When you think of self-care, you probably picture drinking water. And it’s true—water is an essential part of good health. It’s important to stay hydrated and drink enough water every day to keep your body functioning properly.
Water helps flush out toxins from the body, keeping it running smoothly. Drinking plenty of water will also help your skin stay healthy and look fresh, especially during cold and flu season when we’re all fighting off germs!
Make A Healthy Snack
You should always have healthy snacks on hand. Kids are picky eaters and they like to snack, so it’s important to have plenty of healthy options.
Healthy snacks can be as simple as a piece of fruit or nuts, but it’s also fun for kids to make their own snacks with easy-to-find ingredients. This will encourage them to eat healthier when the chips run low and there aren’t any green apples left in the fridge!
Make sure all your ingredients are fresh (or at least not expired), so you don’t accidentally give any foods that could make your kids sick—and remember that cooking isn’t just for grownups!
Say Affirmations
Affirmations are a simple, yet effective way to help build self-confidence in children. They can be said out loud or in your head, any time of day—it’s up to you! If you want to encourage your kids’ self-care with affirmations, here are some examples:
- I’m a good person
- I can do anything I set my mind to
- I am loved and cared for by other people
Introduce a Gratitude Journal
A gratitude journal is a simple way to practice self-care. It’s fun and easy to do, and it can help you feel better all day long!
To get started, gather some supplies: paper, pens or pencils (and erasers), stickers or other decorations for the finished pages in your notebook. Then sit down with your kids and talk about what they are thankful for.
This can be a fun activity where everyone contributes ideas together—or it might be helpful just to brainstorm on your own first so that you have an idea of what subjects might come up later when talking with your child. For example: “I’m thankful my friend Emma came over today.” or “I’m glad that I have new shoes because they fit me really well.” Asking open-ended questions like these will encourage them to think about things other than toys and games—and may even spark some discussion between parent(s) and child(ren).
Get Crafty
Crafts are a great way to de-stress and relax. They can be a fun way to pass the time, but they also help children develop fine motor skills as they learn how to cut and glue. There are many kids who don’t have access to arts and crafts programs in their schools, so it’s important for parents and caregivers to encourage them at home.
There are many benefits of doing crafts with children:
- It helps with fine motor skills development
- It teaches kids about colors, shapes, patterns, etc.
- It teaches them about design principles like symmetry or balance
Encourage Music – With Headphones
Music is a powerful tool for self-care. It can help you relax, express your feelings, be creative, and even connect with others. Here are some suggestions for using music to make positive changes in your life:
- Listen to music as you fall asleep or while relaxing. Listening to soothing sounds at bedtime helps ensure that you’ll get enough sleep so that you wake up feeling rested and refreshed.
- Put on some headphones when listening to music or creating your own songs. This will block out sound coming from outside so that it’s easier for you to focus on what’s happening inside of yourself without distractions from the outside world getting in the way of what’s going on inside yourself (or between friends).
- Let people know when they’re bothering me by playing loud music through my headphones instead of yelling at them.”
Play A Family Game
Families can play family games that encourage physical activity and social interaction.
- Tag is a great way to get some exercise while having fun. Encourage your kids to run around the yard or living room by chasing after them when they’re it, or playing tag with them if you’re feeling up to it.
- Play catch with your kids! Whether in the backyard or inside at home, throwing balls back and forth is a great way to have fun together as well as getting some exercise in even if it’s just for 10 minutes at a time throughout the day.
- Board games are another great way to bond with your kids while learning about money management skills and investing principles (if you choose). Board games like Monopoly teach children about basic economics as well as helping them learn how much money goes into making these games so popular today!
Enjoy Backyard Camping
- Make a tent. You can do this in your backyard, or you can use a sheet and some poles as shown.
- Make a fire pit. If you have one, great! If not, that’s okay too: there are plenty of DIY options out there (like this one).
- Have s’mores! A classic camping treat for all ages is definitely worth bringing along on your indoor camping adventure.
Get Kids In The Kitchen
The kitchen is a great place to get kids involved in the self-care process. Cooking is a great way to learn about healthy eating and can help encourage kids to eat healthy, too. I
f your child enjoys helping you in the kitchen, invite them to join you with some simple tasks like peeling carrots or making a salad. You can teach them how different foods are grown and where they come from. If they’re interested in learning more complex techniques, have them help you out by chopping onions or prepping ingredients for dinner!
Get Kids In The Garden
Getting kids in the garden is a great way to encourage self-care. It is a great way to get them outside and away from screens. The garden can be a great place to get creative and make something new.
Implement Quiet Time
Implementing quiet time is a great way to encourage self-care in kids. The concept of quiet time is simple: it’s just a designated time of the day when no one talks. This can be done by turning off all electronic devices and creating a “no electronics” rule for an hour or two after school, or even better yet, at bedtime.
You can also create your own quiet time activity that works for your family! Here are some ideas:
- Read aloud books together (or have each child read aloud individually). If your child isn’t reading independently yet, this is an excellent opportunity to help them develop their skills!
- Play board games that require you to use little to no words (think Sorry!, chess and checkers). These kinds of games help develop critical thinking skills while still being fun!
- Go on walks together outside—this has been shown to reduce stress levels in adults and children alike! Plus it’s good exercise too!
Take Care Of The Pet
In addition to taking care of yourself, it’s also important for children to learn how to take care of others. Your children can practice self-care by caring for a pet. Give your child the chance to take care of a pet and watch her confidence grow as she learns new skills. Pets are great teachers because they need exercise and affection just like humans do.
Here are some simple ways that you can encourage self-care in your child:
- Take your pet outside so they can play with other animals or run around outside on their own! If you aren’t able to let them go outside right away, try bringing a ball inside where they can explore on their own terms (and maybe even play with other family pets).
- Play with your pet using toys made specifically for them (Frisbees!) or ones that you have lying around the house (stuffed animals!)
- Give them treats or praise when they’ve done something well! You could also use small toys as rewards if necessary but make sure these things aren’t always available so your young one doesn’t become dependent on receiving treats every time they do something good throughout the day 🙂
Tidy Up Their Space
If your child’s room is a mess, it’s time to get started on cleaning! As you tackle this task together, talk about the importance of having a tidy space and how it helps us feel better. You can also discuss how having a tidy space for self-care can be helpful for kids who live with anxiety or ADHD. For example:
- Having a clean room will help them sleep better at night and feel more rested in the morning.
- It will allow them to do their homework more easily without distraction from clutter or disorganization.
- When they have a tidy place to sit down at home after school/work/extracurricular activities (or even just when they want some quiet time), they’ll be able to focus better on whatever they’re doing instead of being distracted by messiness around them (or even within themselves).
Have A Bath
You can encourage self-care in children by making bathtime a relaxing, enjoyable experience. Here are some ways to do that:
- Time for thinking. Kids have lots of things going on in their minds, but they often don’t get the time to just sit and think about them all. Taking a bath is a good time for this because it’s relaxing and quiet, so kids can focus on whatever thoughts are coming up in their heads. It’s also a great opportunity to talk more deeply with your child about what they’ve been thinking about lately—whether it’s that new class they’re taking or whether they’re having trouble getting along with another kid at school.
- Time for reading/listening to music/talking/playing with toys (etc.). If you let your kids bring some books into the tub with them, you’ll give them something fun and engaging from which they can choose how much attention they want to devote themselves during the bath! You could also let them pick out an audiobook if books aren’t really their thing—or if there are too many other distractions around already!
Do Yoga
Yoga is a great way to get kids moving, and it’s also an amazing tool for developing self-care skills. If you have children who are struggling with behavioral issues or sensory processing difficulties, yoga is a great way to help them focus their attention. Yoga also improves flexibility and strength, which can be particularly helpful for kids who struggle with mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Kids that practice yoga regularly may notice that they sleep better at night and calm down more quickly when they feel anxious about something. Finally, breathing exercises are a huge part of every yoga practice—this can be extremely beneficial for improving your child’s overall health as well!
Tackle A Puzzle
Puzzles are a great way to keep your child’s brain healthy. Puzzles can be fun and educational for kids, and you can use them to develop problem-solving skills. Solving puzzles together as a family is also an awesome way to encourage creativity in your child.
Do A STEM Activity
A STEM activity is an activity that incorporates science, technology, engineering and math. It’s a great way to encourage kids to learn more about the world around them while also developing skills in problem solving. STEM projects can be done at home or at school (depending on your school’s curriculum).
If you have some older kids who are interested in science and technology, consider making them their own “science kit” with things like plastic containers filled with water, materials for experiments like syringes and test tubes, paperclips or rubber bands (anything they might need while conducting experiments), magnifying glasses and other things they can use as tools for learning more about their world through experimentation.
Build A Fort
Build a fort with pillows and blankets. If you have a few pillows, a large blanket, and some imagination, who knows what kind of amazing structures your kids can build? Get creative with it!
Make a tent out of sheets. Use one sheet to make a tent or bed for the floor. It’s simple, but it’ll get them thinking about how they can use their body weight (and some blankets) to create something interesting in the living room—or wherever else you have space that’s not being used at the moment!
Conclusion
There are so many great self-care activities for kids that you can implement in your home. The important thing is to start small and encourage your kids to take care of themselves by doing something they enjoy!
