Teaching children meditation and mindfulness at a young age can provide lifelong tools to manage stress, improve focus, and gain emotional awareness. However, getting kids interested in sitting still to meditate can be challenging!
That‘s where meditation apps for kids come in handy as fun, engaging gateways to mindfulness. Interactive stories, playful characters, calming music, and simple animations make regular meditation practice more appealing and rewarding for young minds.
I‘ve compiled the 10 best meditation and mindfulness apps that can help kids reap the many benefits of meditation from an early age:
1. Headspace
Headspace leads the meditation space as one of the first apps teaching guided techniques to both adults and kids. The colorful animations and friendly sessions speak directly to children, breaking down the basics of mindfulness through themed basics packs like managing frustration, being kind to oneself and others, and getting better sleep.
Key Features:
- Animated videos explain meditation concepts
- Sessions from 1-3 minutes long
- Covers focus, calm, kindness, sleep
- Motivational tools like achievement rewards
Age Range: 3-13 years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pricing: Free trial, then $7.99/month (family plan)
2. Smiling Mind
Developed by psychologists and educators, Smiling Mind is one of Australia‘s most recommended mindfulness apps with specific programs tailored to different age groups. Kids can learn the basics with guidance while older children have access to more advanced meditation techniques.
Key Features:
- Hundreds of meditations, body scans, music/sensory activities
- Separate content based on age
- Can track progress for each family member
- Used in many schools
Age Range: 7-18 years
Platforms: iOS, Android, Alexa
Pricing: Free
3. Mindful Powers
Mindful Powers utilizes creative games and sensory tools to teach emotional regulation through mindfulness techniques. Kids tap and touch characters on screen to guide them in breathing, thinking through problems, and reacting with awareness.
Key Features:
- Interactive games based on mindfulness skills
- Uses sensory touch elements
- Teaches vocabulary for emotions
- Fun character encourages practice
Age Range: Early childhood
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pricing: Free, in-app purchases
4. Mooshi: Sleep and Mindfulness
Mooshi creates a safe, whimsical world for kids to relax in with original lullabies, nature sounds, short stories and meditations. The audio-only tracks allow for winding down before bed while the one-minute mindfulness exercises help refocus during the day.
Key Features:
- Soothing music and nature sounds
- 1-minute meditations
- New kids‘ bedtime stories weekly
- Can access content offline
- Playlists and favorites options
Age Range: 3-10 years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pricing: Free version, $5.99 per month premium
5. Monster Meditations
Monster Meditations combines silly monster characters with research-backed mindfulness and relaxation techniques adapted for kids 3-10 years old. Short session lessons use laughter, imagination and play to keep young ones engaged while teaching useful emotional skills.
Key Features:
- Story-based meditations and exercises
- Lighthearted monster characters
- Sessions under 5 minutes
- Mindfulness education for parents
Age Range: 3-10 years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pricing: Free version, $11.99 per month for full access
6. Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame
Everyone‘s beloved Sesame Street monsters co-star in this research-backed app teaching emotional regulation skills to kids ages 2-5 years old. It breaks down the Breathe, Think, Do strategy into step-by-step interactive activities with Elmo guiding children to manage frustration and solve everyday challenges.
Key Features:
- Playful problem-solving activities
- Uses deep breathing exercise
- Kids tap and touch characters on screen
- Created with child experts
Age Range: 2-5 years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pricing: Free
7. Stop, Breathe, and Think Kids
As the name suggests, Stop Breathe & Think Kids coaches children through stressful moments and moods using short and simple mindfulness techniques. The app includes a feelings checker-inner and over 30 customizable activities to help kids engage in reflection.
Key Features:
- Feelings identification games
- 30+ mindfulness activities
- Can customize recommendations
- Tracker rewards progress
- For older independent kids
Age Range: 5-10 years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pricing: Free
8. Mindful Powers Kids
Another clever app, Mindful Powers Kids helps young children learn mindfulness through interactive games and sensory tools. Kids touch characters on screen to guide breathing and thinking, developing skills in emotional awareness.
Key Features:
- Story-based meditations and exercises
- Uses sensory touch elements
- Teaches vocabulary for emotions
- Fun characters encourage practice
Age Range: Early childhood years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pricing: Free, in-app purchases
9. Ninja Focus for Kids
Ninja Focus employs meditation and mindfulness as secret skills for kids to build focus, confidence, better sleep habits and cut stress. It engages kids with its ninja-themed stories and content to teach relaxation techniques.
Key Features:
- Themed meditations and bedtime stories
- Ninja warrior characters
- Yoga pose cards and affirmations
- Pep talk messages
- Soothing music
Age Range: 3-12 years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pricing: Free version, $4.17 per month premium
10. Piku: Calm for Children
Piku helps kids discover the superpowers of mindfulness through playful journeys, sleeping sounds and mini meditations. Recommended by psychologists, simple exercises improve resilience over time.
Key Features:
- Sleep meditations and bedtime stories
- Brief mindfulness exercises
- Imaginative relaxation scripts
- Track progress with virtual pet
- Gratitude journal
Age Range: 3-12 years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Pricing: Free version, $7.99 per month, $39.99 annually
