If you have a preschooler, I guarantee that you also have a need for these calming activities! Calming activities for preschoolers would definitely be in the parenting handbook (if only there was one).

My boys tend to be on the busy side, so I am sure to include a few extra calming bins with our quiet time activities. I thought I’d share some of our favourites here today, just in case you too have a little one living on the wild side.

Before we get into all of the ideas, you’ll also want to grab this Free Printable Paper Dollhouse. The full dollhouse is part of The Quiet Time Club Preschool Edition, but you can grab the bedroom and all of the sweet little accessories for free. Something about immersing yourself in a small-world imaginative play is oh-so-relaxing and beneficial for little ones.

Okay, now on to the rest of the calming activities for preschoolers!

My Favorite Calming Activities for Preschoolers

These activities are fabulous to help little ones settle so they can move past any problem or upset. They are also great as quiet time activities—and as you know, I can never have enough of those!

A Simple Nature Sensory Bin – It’s amazing how relaxing this bin is! The natural aspects, as well as the invitation to touch and smell, make this a calming sensory activity for kids.

Rainbow Glitter Jars from Fun-A-Day – There’s a reason these are often called “calm down jars”! Watching the glitter as it floats and settles has a soothing effect on kids and adults alike.

Soothing Scented Goodnight Moon Inspired Sensory Play from Still Playing School – A water sensory bin inspired by a favorite bedtime story! Playing in the scented water is sure to help settle a child after a long day.

Sensory Play with Whole Spices and Beans from My Nearest and Dearest – This spice and bean tub allows the children to explore their senses in such a calming way!

Bedtime Sensory Tub with Lavender Dyed Rice from NurtureStore – This rice sensory tub sounds like a great way to transition toward bedtime. I love the addition of real sprigs of lavender!

Goodnight Moon Sensory Bottle from The Pleasantest Thing – What a lovely idea to make this bottle based on a treasured bedtime book! Kids can watch the materials move and float while listening to the book.

5 Kid-Friendly Yoga Poses from MindBodyGreen – This is a collection of yoga poses to use with children who need some extra help calming their minds and bodies.

Flower Petal Sensory Play from Fantastic Fun and Learning – What an ingenious idea to use flower petals in settling water play!

Rangoli-Inspired Sand Art from Kids Craft Room – This colorful transitory art experience allows for quiet creative time.

Color-Mixing Discovery Bottles from Preschool Inspirations – The colors of these bottles are so engaging! I think this purple/blue one is perfect for a calming experience.

Calming Epsom Salt Sensory Play from Fireflies and Mud Pies – Gather a few simple materials and let the kids explore this calming salt tray. I laughed when I read how she used the tray for herself after her son was finished!

Zen Garden Sensory Play from Happy Hooligans at CBC Parents – The kids will surely love creating and playing with their own mini Zen gardens. The natural materials, along with the process of putting it all together, allow for some quiet downtime.

Calming Lavender Prewriting Tray from And Next Comes L – Scooping, pouring, and arranging the scented salt in this tray has so many benefits! I’m sure the lavender really helps to calm and soothe during play.

One-Ingredient Calm Down Bottles from Play to Learn Preschool – These simple discovery bottles are quietly engaging and perfect for when kids need some time on their own.

Calming Sensory Box for Kids from Wildflower Ramblings – This is a cozy sensory bin filled with a few soft materials and a lovely scent. Great before-bed play time!

Managing Big Emotions Through Movement from Childhood 101 – Teaching children yoga poses to help them calm their bodies and minds is an amazing idea! I love that this post includes posters to share with the kids.

Zen Rock Garden from 3 Dinosaurs – The rocks and sand in this “garden” are sure to help settle and focus kids after a long and busy day!

Calming Waterbead Sensory Bin from Sugar Aunts – There’s just something about running your hands through waterbeads that is so soothing! I love how she explains all of the calming aspects of this sensory bin.

Lavender Salt Bin and Play Dough from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds – This is a calming experience times two! Kids explore and mix lavender and salt in a bin, and then they use that to make beautiful play dough together.

Lego Calm Down Jar from Lemon Lime Adventures – Just what little Lego lovers will enjoy during some quiet, calm time.

So many calming ideas for my little ones to try! And so very inviting, I can’t resist them either.

The Quiet Time Club

If you love these ideas and are looking for other ways to help your child practice mindfulness and enjoy a daily period of rest and relaxation, you’ll love The Quiet Time Club!

The Quiet Time Club is right for you if:

• You have a little one 2-6 years old (though my 10 year old still loves these activities!).
• You would like an hour to yourself each day.
• You would like your child to develop the important, nourishing skill of independent play.