The Magical Garden: Calming Activities For Kids

Written by Dr Lucy Russell DClinPsyc CPsychol AFBPsS

I have designed an interactive game that teaches essential calming techniques for kids aged 6-12. I’m really happy with the results and you can play it for free below!

If you’re a parent or teacher looking for practical emotional regulation activities that children will actually use, this simple game transforms evidence-based calming strategies for kids into an engaging magical adventure that’s quick to play.

Why Traditional Calm-Down Methods Often Fail

Most calm down for kids approaches are introduced during meltdowns when children can’t absorb new information. The result is frustrated adults and children who haven’t learned usable calming skills.

Studies show that teaching children simple strategies like slow breathing can lower stress and help manage anger.

BUT… Children need to practice managing their emotions when they’re calm, not in crisis. They also need techniques that feel appealing rather than like homework or punishment.

How the Magical Garden Works

My interactive quest teaches ten research-backed calming activities for kids through storytelling. Instead of explaining breathing exercises, children help Sparkle the Unicorn learn “Magic Square Breathing.” Rather than lecturing about grounding techniques, they teach Luna the Fairy the “5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Garden Spell.”

Each magical creature faces a relatable worry, learns a specific technique, and celebrates success. Children earn “Calm Points” as they progress, creating positive associations with these essential calming choices.

The Ten Calming Activities For Kids Included

Sensory-Based Methods:

• 5-4-3-2-1 grounding (engaging all five senses)
• Cool water technique (activating the body’s natural calm response)

Breathing Strategies:

• Box breathing for immediate anxiety relief
• Belly breathing for nervous system regulation

Physical Calming Techniques:

• Progressive muscle relaxation for tension release
• Butterfly hug for self-soothing

Cognitive (Thinking-Based) Tools to Help With Worries:

• Worry facts that reduce anxiety’s power
• STOP technique for interrupting panic cycles

Visualization and Help-Seeking:

• Safe place imagery for emotional refuge
• Guidance on when to ask trusted adults for support

These mindful sensory activities and sensory strategies work because they’re embedded in stories children care about.

Practical Benefits for Parents

At Home: Use specific “spells” during real situations. “Remember Sparkle’s breathing when you feel nervous about school?” becomes more powerful than generic instructions.

Bedtime: Children can practise their favorite techniques to self-soothe, initially with your help but over time they will be able to do it by themselves.

Transitions: The game is a calm, constructive screen time activity that actually builds life skills.

Classroom Applications

Individual Support: Children will love learning these vital skills in an interactive way, and you can practise the skills together as you go along.

Whole-Class Learning: Use as part of the social-emotional curriculum or quick brain breaks.

Crisis Prevention: Children who’ve practiced these emotional regulation activities regularly are better equipped to handle challenging moments independently.

Getting Started

The game is completely self-guided for independent learners but works equally well with adult support. You can pause between each quest to practise the techniques.

Step 1: Introduce the game when your child is calm and curious, not during a difficult moment.

Step 2: Let them play through at their own pace. Each quest takes 2-3 minutes.

Step 3: Chat regularly about the specific “spells” they’ve learned, and how these could help them during real-life situations.

Step 4: Encourage regular practise by letting them replay favourite quests.

Why This Approach Works

Children remember stories far better than instructions. When calming skills are attached to characters and stories, kids develop genuine motivation to use them.

My game tackles the biggest challenge of learning to manage emotions: making calm-down strategies appealing enough that children choose to use them independently.

Instead of seeing emotional regulation as something imposed by adults, children experience these calming techniques for kids as magical powers they’ve earned through helping others.

What to Expect

Most children complete the full quest in 15-20 minutes. The real benefit comes afterward, when they naturally reference “Luna’s spell” or “Benny’s balloon breathing” during challenging moments.

Ready to give your child or your class a toolkit of calming activities they’ll actually want to use? The Magical Garden transforms essential emotional regulation from a chore into an adventure.

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Dr Lucy Russell is a UK clinical psychologist who works with children and families. Her work involves both therapeutic support and autism assessments. She is the Clinical Director of Everlief Child Psychology, and also worked in the National Health Service for many years.

In 2019 Lucy launched They Are The Future, a support website for parents of school-aged children. Through TATF Lucy is passionate about giving practical, manageable strategies to parents and children who may otherwise struggle to find the support they need.