Finger Labyrinth Tracing

What you need

• Paper, 2 to 3 sheets
• Crayons or markers, a few markers
• Pencil, 1
• Book, 1 with a labyrinth picture (optional)

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Set out paper, a pencil and markers on a flat table. Ink can stain, so keep markers capped when not in use and sit away from surfaces you care about.

1. Draw a big plus sign in the middle of your paper.
2. Add a dot in each of the four corners between the arms.
3. Join the ends with curved lines to make a winding path.
4. Trace over your path with a marker so it is easy to see.
   Ask: What do you think it will feel like to follow a path with no choices to make?
5. Trace the path slowly with one finger, from the outside to the center.
6. Stop in the center and take one slow breath.
   Ask: How do your body and your thoughts feel right now?
7. Trace back out again, breathing normally and not rushing.
8. Now trace with your eyes half closed, then show a friend! What will you draw next?
   Ask: Which was calmer, eyes open or eyes half closed, and what kind of path would you like to draw next?

Play it again

• Giant version: draw a huge spiral on a big sheet and trace it with a whole hand.
• Partner trace: one person traces while another reads a calming word for each turn.
• Color path: use a different marker color for each circuit, then trace them in order.