Grow and Pop Bubble Breathing

Each child blows an imaginary soap bubble that grows with their body until it's huge, floats around, and finally pops softly, leaving them lying on the floor. It builds slow breathing, imagination and relaxation.

How to play

1. Spread kids out around the space, standing with room to open their arms. Say: "We have an invisible bubble jar," and dip your pretend wand.
2. Say: "Breathe in through your nose and blow out slowly." As they blow, they open their arms little by little like the bubble is growing (1 min).
3. Blow three bubbles, each one bigger: the last one wraps around them, so they rise on tiptoes with arms in a big circle.
4. Say: "Now we're inside the bubble, floating." They walk very slowly on tiptoes without bumping anyone for 30 seconds.
5. With a soft clap, say: "Pop!" The bubble bursts and they sink slowly to the floor until they're lying on their backs.
6. They stay still for one minute breathing slowly while you whisper: "We're soft bubbles resting on the floor."

Rules

• Blow slowly and quietly.
• When floating, walk without touching anyone.
• When it pops, sink down slowly, no flopping.
• Once lying down, stay quiet.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child makes the bubble with their arms from a chair and pops it by relaxing shoulders and head.
• Hearing loss: pair the pop with a clear visual signal, like opening your hands wide.
• Skill level: kids who want a challenge hold the exhale for a count of five; kids who tire easily blow for less time.

Learning goals

• Practice slow breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth.
• Move gradually from tension to relaxation.
• Express an imaginary picture with the body.

Teacher tip

Do it with them, very dramatic, with your voice getting softer each time. If someone giggles when they sink, wait quietly; the group settles on its own.

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