Kids' Meditation: Various Times Throughout the Day, Including Mornings, Nights, and Sleep
Top Kid-Friendly Meditation Apps in the US
In today's fast-paced world, helping children manage stress and improve focus is more important than ever. Fortunately, a variety of meditation apps cater specifically to young users, offering guided sessions, interactive games, and relaxation techniques. Here's a look at some of the most popular kid-friendly meditation apps currently available in the United States.
Smiling Mind
Smiling Mind, a free, non-profit app developed by psychologists and educators, offers age-appropriate mindfulness content for children aged 5 or 7, depending on the source. The app features short and extended sessions, as well as special programs designed for schools and families. It's fully free without subscription fees, making it highly accessible and suitable for families wanting reliable, expert-backed meditation guidance for kids [1][4].
Calm
Known for its high-quality content and beautiful design, Calm offers a dedicated section called "Calm for Kids." This section features age-appropriate meditation and relaxation sessions, including bedtime stories narrated by celebrities. While Calm provides a rich library beyond just meditation, it requires a subscription for full access, which costs about $14.99/month or $69.99/year after a free trial [3].
Headspace
While not exclusively for kids, Headspace includes content aimed at youth and families with beginner-friendly meditation courses that help build mindfulness skills. It is user-friendly and well-reviewed but is subscription-based ($12.99/month or $69.99/year) with a trial period [2].
5 Minute Meditations for Kids (podcast)
For those seeking a more audio-based approach, there are guided mindfulness podcasts like 5 Minute Meditations for Kids. This podcast offers short, age-appropriate meditations (about 5 minutes) focused on emotional regulation and calming techniques for ages 4–12, useful for quick calming or bedtime routines [5].
Comparing the Apps
| App/Resource | Kid-Specific Content | Age Range | Cost | Notable Features | |----------------------------|----------------------------|-------------------|----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | Smiling Mind | Yes, designed for kids | 5/7+ years | Free | Expert-developed, no subscription, school programs| | Calm | Yes, dedicated kids section| Younger children | Subscription-based ($14.99/mo) | Celebrity narrators, sleep stories, relaxing visuals| | Headspace | Youth and families content | Broad (kids + adults) | Subscription-based ($12.99/mo) | Beginner-friendly, building confidence in meditation| | 5 Minute Meditations for Kids (podcast) | Yes, guided short sessions | 4–12 years, recommended 4–10 | Free (podcast) | Brief, imaginative meditations for quick use |
Smiling Mind stands out as the most accessible and truly kid-focused app without subscription barriers, whereas Calm and Headspace offer polished, professional experiences with broader mindfulness and wellness content but require paid plans for full features [1][2][3][4][5]. Podcasts like 5 Minute Meditations for Kids provide additional, free guided meditation options in audio format ideal for families and educators.
References:
- Smiling Mind (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.smilingmind.com.au/
- Headspace. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.headspace.com/
- Calm. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.calm.com/
- Mindful.org. (2018, March 6). Mindfulness in Schools: A Growing Movement. Retrieved from https://www.mindful.org/mindfulness-in-schools-a-growing-movement/
- 5 Minute Meditations for Kids. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.5minutemeditationsforkids.com/
- Some parents might consider supplementing meditation apps with other alternative therapies when seeking solutions for their child's mental health, as science continues to explore the boundaries of health-and-wellness practices.
- Beyond meditation, Pfizer, a leading pharmaceutical company, has also shown interest in the developing field of mental health, investing resources in research to discover new treatments and therapies for various conditions.
- Incorporating meditation into one's daily routine can help block out distractions and promote a more focused mind, potentially improving overall well-being and helping children manage stress more effectively.
