Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Calm Down Breathing Cards: Free Printable Card Set for Reception
- ForReception
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Calm Down Breathing Cards is a free printable card set for Reception (ages 4 to 5). It has five breathing animals for children to copy: snake, bee, lion, bunny and turtle. Each card gives one simple way to breathe slowly. It takes about 5 minutes, needs only paper, and page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help ideas and a stretch idea.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, cut out the cards, and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
The sheet is a set of cards to cut out and use, with five breathing animals to copy. Snake, bee, lion, bunny and turtle each have their own way to breathe. A grown-up shows an animal first, then the child copies it. Children hiss, hum and give a soft roar, sniff in three times like a bunny, and finish with a slow turtle breath and a relax. There are no answers to find. The aim is to practise.
- Snake: breathe in, then hiss out slowly.
- Bee: breathe in, then hum out.
- Lion: breathe in, then roar out softly.
- Bunny: sniff in three times, then breathe out slowly.
- Turtle: breathe in slowly, then let your breath out and relax.
What each animal card asks children to do
Snake
Breathe in, then hiss out slowly. The hiss gives children a sound to follow, so the breath out stays long and steady.
Bee
Breathe in, then hum out. Children can feel the hum buzz in their lips and chest. Many children find this one funny, which helps them settle.
Lion
Breathe in, then roar out softly. It lets children let go of big feelings, but the roar stays quiet and gentle.
Bunny and turtle
The bunny sniffs in three times, then breathes out slowly. The turtle breathes in slowly, then lets the breath out and relaxes. These two finish the set with a quiet, slow feel.
Why breathing animals help young children
Young children often feel big feelings before they have the words for them. A calm body can help them think and talk about what has happened. Slow breathing is one simple way to help the body settle. It will not remove a feeling, but it gives children something to do when a feeling seems too big.
Animals work well at this age because children love to copy them. Each animal has its own sound or action, so breathing becomes a game rather than an instruction. The slow breath out is the part to focus on. Making a hiss or a hum helps children stretch that breath without being told to.
Keep all breathing gentle and never force it. If a child feels dizzy or upset by an animal, stop and let them breathe normally. If you are worried about a child's wellbeing, talk to your school's pastoral lead or your GP.
Fun facts about the animals
- Snakes have no legs. They move by using their long, bendy bodies.
- A buzzing bee makes its sound with its wings.
- Lions live in family groups called prides.
- Rabbits twitch their noses when they sniff.
- A turtle's shell is part of its body. It is not a house that it can take off.
Skills and curriculum link
- Calming down
- Listening
- Copying
- Slow breathing
- Taking turns
Ideas that help children calm down
- Show firstYoung children learn by watching. Do each breath yourself, slowly, before asking the child to join in.
- Feel the breathA hand on the tummy helps children notice their breath. It makes an invisible thing easier to see and feel.
- Practise when calmA child finds a new skill much easier to use when upset if they have already practised it when happy and relaxed.
- Keep it shortVery young children tire quickly. A few slow breaths is enough. Stop while it still feels good.
Key words
- Breathe inTake air into your body through your nose or mouth.
- Breathe outLet the air go out of your body.
- CalmFeeling quiet and settled inside.
- SlowlyTaking your time, not rushing.
- RelaxLet your body go soft and loose.
- CopyDo the same thing that someone else shows you.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2 for the grown-up. Cut out the cards.
- Show one animal card and do the breath yourself first. Say the words on the card aloud.
- Let the child copy you. Keep it gentle and short. The whole activity takes about 5 minutes.
- Talk about how it felt. Ask which animal they liked and why. Check the notes on page 2.
- Come back to the cards another day, or when a child is upset or before a quiet time. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Pick just one animal and practise it every day. The snake or the bee is a good start because the sound helps the breath go slowly. Put a hand on your tummy to feel it move. Do it together, side by side.
To stretch confident children
Ask the child to choose which animal helps most and to teach it to a friend or a soft toy. Listen to how they explain it. Ask them when they might use that animal, such as before a quiet time.
Make it a game
Hold up a card without saying anything. The child copies the breath. Then swap, so the child holds up a card and the grown-up copies. Take turns to be the leader. Use all five animals if the child wants to.
Talk about it
- Which animal did you like best? Why?
- How does your tummy feel after a slow breath?
- When might a snake breath or a bee breath help you?
- What sound did your animal make?
- Can you show me a calm face?
- What else helps you feel calm?
Take it off the page
Soft toy teacher
Let the child teach one animal breath to a favourite soft toy. They have to explain it, which helps them remember it.
Feather breathing
Hold a feather or a tissue strip in front of the child. They breathe out slowly so that it moves gently. A slow breath makes it float, and a fast one makes it flutter.
Animal walk then stop
Walk like a snake, a bunny or a turtle, then stop and do that animal's breath. It links movement with calming down.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child and show each animal first. Try it when they are calm, so it becomes familiar. Then you can suggest an animal when they are upset or before bed. Keep it gentle and playful.
Teachers
Use it before a quiet time, after break or at the start of a carpet session. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting out the cards. Children can take turns to lead, and it supports self regulation within Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
Home educators
Print the cards and keep them with your other early years resources. Use them alongside stories about feelings, outdoor play and everyday talk. The cards can be used again for brothers and sisters, and kept somewhere children can reach them.
Where this fits in learning
Before this, children learn to notice how they feel and to use simple words such as happy, cross, sad and worried. They also learn that grown-ups can help when feelings are big.
After this, children can start to choose a calming idea for themselves and say when they need it. In later years, PSHE builds on this with more talk about feelings, friendships and looking after wellbeing.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Calm Down Breathing Cards for?
It is written for Reception, ages 4 to 5, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. It is designed to be shared with a grown-up, who shows each animal first, and the child then copies.
- What will children practise?
Children practise simple slow breathing to help them feel calm. They also practise listening, copying and taking turns. Each of the five animals gives a different way to breathe.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 5 minutes. Keep it gentle and short. You can do one animal or all five, and come back to the cards another day.
- What if it feels too hard?
Pick just one animal and practise it every day. Put a hand on your tummy to feel it move. Do it side by side, and stop if the child has had enough.
- When should I use the cards?
Use them when a child is upset or before a quiet time. They work best if children have already practised the animals when calm, so the breaths feel familiar.
- Is it free, and do I need colour printing?
Yes, it is free to print for home and classroom use. No colour is needed. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper, and the cards can be cut out.
- Can teachers and home educators use it?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, a calm moment or a table activity, and it needs no preparation beyond printing. Home educators can use it alone or as part of a wider PSHE plan.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.