In the world of play, you may have encountered the term ‘mindful play’. You might be thinking a few things: 1) You’re curious, but your child is a bundle of energy 2) This sounds a bit hippy-dippy for you, and you’re unsure if mindful play is right for your family (or you!) 3) Returning to that first thought—you’re wondering if your family needs to be pretty chill for mindful play to work.  

The good news is that the answer is no; mindful play is for all to try.  

What is Mindful Play?  

Mindful play is about being open to playing with intention. It means being present in play like stacking elements, swinging on a swing, or spinning your board. While spontaneous play is free-flowing—mindful play encourages you and your children to engage in the activity at hand fully. Rather than hopping on the swing, you and your child are attuned to your senses, emotions, and thoughts. Much like the wonder of watching a beautiful butterfly flutter toward you and appreciating the beauty of its wings, there is a wonder of how it flies and the incredibility of how it was once a caterpillar, right? There is so much to take in with just that one little being. Mindful play has this same intention: to foster a deep appreciation for each moment, creating a calm and grounded experience.  

How Mindfulness Can Fit into Family Playtime  

How does this form of play fit into family wellness? Well, the keyword would be ‘mindful,’ which serves as a helpful tool that helps not only to prevent playtime from being chaotic—as play sometimes can be turned into—but also with the clear intention to reduce stress and transform this treasured time into intentional, joyful experiences that foster connection and emotional growth. This is the essence of mindful play.  

It’s about being in the moment and pushing back distractions—constant in busy family life.  

  

It Supports Emotional Growth  

The Child Mind Institute explains that the goal is to give you enough distance from disturbing thoughts and emotions to be able to observe them without immediately reacting to them.  

Why Mindful Play?  

Mindful play can help kids build their emotional smarts in a fun and natural way. When kids and parents practice mindfulness together, it opens the door to better self-awareness, managing emotions, staying motivated, and understanding others with empathy. It’s a simple way to grow emotionally, one playful moment at a time! 

Incorporating Mindfulness into Family Playtime  

• Deep Breaths: Breath is the key to many ways to regulate, and this means you want to start with your breath. Along with the kids, inhale deeply and exhale slowly ground yourselves.  

• Be Observant: Whether indoors or outdoors, take in your surroundings—the sounds, smells, and even the temperature. Is it chilly or hot? Is there wind? Are the leaves rustling?  

• Don’t Rush: It’s all about intention here. Whether you’re creating a fort or building a rainbow path, take the time to be—yes, you guessed it—mindful.  

• Quiet is Good: Like a deep yoga class, being still and quiet is part of the practice. The family can use this quiet time to reflect on the activity.  
• Gratitude: Have the kids, or the whole family, share or sit quietly with what they’re thankful for. It’s a win-win—whether you’re practicing gratitude or just beginning to learn it, gratitude fosters emotional resilience, strengthens relationships, and promotes positivity, laying a foundation for personal and family well-being.  

Mindful Play Ideas for Families  

• Breathing Balance Challenge: Have each family member balance on a Stapelstein® element while taking slow, deep breaths—inhale for three, hold for three, and exhale for three. See if they can stay still while grounding themselves in the moment—like a superhero holding their pose!  

• Sensory Adventure: Turn your Stapelstein® play into a sensory journey! Have family members step slowly from one element to another, paying attention to how the element feels under their feet—are they warm or cool? Soft or bumpy? What does this feel like? The possibilities are endless when you practice mindful play!  

• Balance Walk Party: Take turns and have each family member imagine they’re walking the runway on a balance beam. Slowly walk across the elements, making each step extra special. Make sure they take note of how their body adjusts and balances—your body is the star of the show!  

• Mindful Obstacle Quest: Build a fun obstacle course using Stapelstein® elements, but here’s the twist: they have to move through it mindfully! Notice the colors, textures, and how each step makes you feel—can you jump, crawl, and step with focus?  

Mindful Play Is Not About Being Perfect  

Like all forms of play, there is a learning curve, but what matters most is the benefits of this type of play to your family. It’s all about the experience. Mindful play should be a fun and engaging way for your family to practice wellness, strengthen connections, and encourage emotional growth. It doesn’t need to be perfect—your child might even have a tantrum while practicing. Like any new activity, it may take time, and that’s okay. This isn’t called “perfect play,” and it doesn’t need to be the only type of play your child practices. So why not try mindful play today?