My Favourite Breathing Buddies for Teaching Kids Breathwork & Meditation
Teaching kids how to breathe on purpose is a bit like teaching cats to meditate. Totally possible… with the right props 😄
Over the years, I’ve learned that kids don’t fall in love with breathwork through instructions. They fall in love with it through play, imagination, and adorable breathing buddies that make the invisible visible.
These are my go-to breathing tools. They turn calming practices into something kids want to do, not something they’re told to do.
Rubber Duckies
Best for: Preschoolers, bath time breathing, silly calm-downs
Rubber duckies are sneaky little mindfulness teachers. Pop one on a child’s belly and suddenly belly breathing makes sense.
Try this:
Have kids lie down with a duck on their tummy
“Inhale to give your duck a ride up the water slide”
“Exhale slowly so the duck floats back down”
You can also:
Float them in water for bath-time breathwork
Use different ducks for emotions or turn-taking
Let kids pick “their” duck for the session (instant buy-in)
Bonus: Ducks make deep breathing feel joyful, not serious. Here are the duckies we like to use in our Little Yogis Classes!
Breathing Pal (Stuffed Animal or Soft Toy)
Best for: Emotional regulation, rest time, anxious kiddos
A breathing pal is any soft toy that rests on the belly. Kids naturally soften when something cuddly is involved.
Why it works:
Gives kids a visual cue for belly breathing
Adds comfort and safety
Encourages stillness without forcing it
Pro tip: Let kids name their breathing pal. When emotions run high, you can say,
“Let’s help your pal calm down together.”
Hoberman Sphere
Best for: Group breathing, visual learners, circle time
This is one of my absolute favourites for classrooms and group settings.
How to use it:
Expand the sphere as you inhale
Contract it slowly as you exhale
Add counting, colours, or themes (rainbow breath, ocean breath)
Kids instantly understand:
Big breath in… big shape.
Slow breath out… small shape.
It’s magic for kids who struggle to feel their breath inside their bodies.
Feathers
Best for: Gentle breathing, focus, fine motor control
Feathers teach slow, controlled exhalations better than almost anything.
Fun ideas:
Float the feather across the room with one long breath
Balance it on your hand or finger
Try “no-rush breathing” to keep it in the air longer
Feathers are perfect for kids who tend to blow hard or rush their breath.
Scarves
Best for: Movement + breath, sensory seekers
Scarves are breathwork in motion.
Try:
Inhale to lift the scarf high
Exhale to let it float down slowly
Match breath to music or storytelling
Scarves are especially powerful for kids who struggle with stillness. They get to move while still regulating.
A Few Other Fun Breathing Buddies I Love
Here are some extra favourites to mix things up:
Pinwheels – amazing for controlled exhale work
Bubbles – perfect for slow, steady breathing (great outdoors)
Pom-poms + straws – obstacle-course breathing games
Paper boats – blow them across water or tables
Yoga dots or stones – trace while breathing slowly
Each tool teaches the same skill in a different way, so every child can find what works for them.
Why Breathing Buddies Matter
Kids learn best when:
Their hands are busy
Their imagination is engaged
Their nervous system feels safe
Breathing buddies turn breathwork from an abstract concept into something tangible, playful, and empowering.
And the best part?
Kids start using these tools on their own when they need to calm down.
That’s real regulation. That’s real confidence.
Want more ideas for your kids yoga classes? Access our idea bank! or take our Kids Yoga Teacher Training and get started with your teaching career!