Calm

Imaginary Pumpkin Breathing

Here's one to try together!

Grow five pretend pumpkins with slow, cozy breaths, then cool a warm pie with Ollie!

5 min0 min prepAges 3 and uplow mess

Reviewed by our team.

Safety first

Holding the breath or breathing too forcefully could cause lightheadedness; keep breaths gentle and stop if dizzy

What you need

Grown-up prep: No supplies needed. Pick a quiet spot with room to sit, and try a practice breath yourself first.

Sit cross-legged on the floor with a tall, comfy back.
Cup your hands as if you are holding a tiny pumpkin.
Breathe in slowly through your nose as your pumpkin grows.
Ask: Can you feel your belly puff out like a pumpkin?
Hold your breath for a tiny moment and admire your pumpkin.
Breathe out slowly through your mouth with a big, soft whoosh.
Ask: Can you make your whoosh last longer than your breath in?
Grow five pumpkins, and make each breath a bit slower.
Pretend your pumpkin is now a warm pumpkin pie, and sniff its yummy smell.
Blow gently on the pie to cool it. Now share your calm breaths with someone!
Ask: Who could you teach pumpkin breathing to? When could it help you feel calm?

Giant pumpkin: stretch your arms wide for one huge, slow pumpkin breath.
Pumpkin patch: take turns choosing how many pumpkins to grow, and teach a stuffed toy.
Spooky pumpkin: whoosh out like a friendly ghost, super soft and slow.

Kids loved this? There are more where it came from.

Turn "I'm bored" into "let's do something together!" 3 free ideas a day, picked for your kids.