Let's get self-compassion kick-started in childhood!

Why wait? It’s like teaching them to dance in the rain instead of waiting for the storm to pass.

Coming into the summer We've got a list of playful activities that make kindness fun and contagious. Time to let the giggles and good vibes roll!

Self Kindness Tree`s

• What You Need: Colored paper, scissors, glue, markers, a large poster board or construction paper.
• How It Works: Cut out leaves from coloured paper. On each leaf, have your child write or draw something kind about themselves. Stick the leaves onto the poster board in the shape of a tree. Watch as the self-kindness tree blossoms with positive affirmations!

Step it up and spread the love! ?Share a picture of your Self-Kindness Tree on social media with the hashtag #KindnessTree and see how others are growing their trees too!

?Bubble Worries

• What You Need: Bubble solution and a wand.
• How It Works: Teach your child to take a deep breath and blow bubbles slowly. As they watch the bubbles float away, encourage them to imagine their worries drifting away too. This fun and calming activity helps children practice mindfulness and self-compassion.

Step it up and spread the love! ?Create an online Bubble Breathing session where kids can blow bubbles together in a virtual bubble party!

?Storytime with a Twist

• What You Need: Books like "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" by Carol McCloud or "I Am Enough" by Grace Byers.
• How It Works: Read these books with your child and discuss the themes of kindness and self-love. Ask questions like, “How can we fill our own buckets?” to reinforce the message.

Step it up and spread the love! ?Share Create a book club where kids can share their favorite self-compassion moments from the stories and even act out scenes!

The Compliment Necklace

• What You Need: String, beads, and small pieces of paper.
• How It Works: Write compliments on small pieces of paper, fold them, and string them together with beads to make a necklace. Encourage your child to wear the necklace and read the compliments when they need a boost.

Step it up and spread the love! ?Host a virtual Compliment Chain Workshop where kids can show off their creations and exchange compliments.

?Gratitude Game

• What You Need: A list of items or qualities to find, such as “something that makes you smile” or “something you’re proud of.”
• How It Works: Create a scavenger hunt where your child finds items or examples that they are grateful for. This helps shift their focus to the positive aspects of their life and encourages self-appreciation.

Step it up and spread the love! ?Post the scavenger hunt list online and invite other families to join. Share your finds using the hashtag #GratitudeHunt.

Kindness Rocks

• What You Need: Smooth rocks, paint, and brushes.
• How It Works: Paint rocks with uplifting messages or pictures. Place these rocks in your garden or around your neighborhood for others to find. This activity encourages spreading kindness and joy.

Step it up and spread the love! ?Share Create a map of where you’ve hidden your kindness rocks and invite others to find and add to the collection. Share photos with the hashtag #KindnessRocks.

Feelings Faces

What You Need: Paper plates, markers, and elastic bands.

• How It Works: Draw different emotions on paper plates and attach elastic bands to make masks. Use these masks to talk about feelings and how to be kind to ourselves when we’re experiencing different emotions.

Step it up and spread the love! ?Share Host a virtual emotion mask-making session where kids can display their masks and share what makes them feel each emotion.

Self-Compassion Journal

• What You Need: A notebook, pens, and stickers.
• How It Works: Encourage your child to write down something kind they did for themselves or someone else each day. Decorate the journal with stickers and drawings.

Step it up and spread the love! ?Share Join an online journaling group where kids can share their entries and get inspired by each other’s acts of kindness.

?Dance Party

• What You Need: Your favourite music playlist.
• How It Works: Host a dance party where each child gets a turn to lead a dance move. Encourage them to express themselves freely and enjoy the moment.

Step it up and spread the love! ?Create a group for the dance party and invite friends to join from their homes. Use a video chat platform to see everyone’s moves!

Nature Walks

• What You Need: Comfortable shoes and outdoor space.
• How It Works: Take a walk in nature and talk about the beauty around you. Use this time to reflect on the good things about yourself and your day.

Step it up and spread the love! ?Share Create a virtual tour of your favorite nature spots, sharing what you love about them and how they help you feel calm and happy.

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What one are you giving a try first?

These tasks are just the starting point make the space to explore and build new tasks and fill your life with different ways to make self-compassion the norm instead of a stand out once in a while task!

By incorporating these playful and engaging activities into your child’s routine, you’re not just teaching them about self-compassion; you’re also creating precious memories and nurturing their emotional well-being. So, let the giggles and good vibes roll as you embark on this journey of kindness together!

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Share your ideas below!

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