7 Mindfulness Art Activities for Adults & Kids
Art is strongly connected to mindfulness and happens to be an easy, accessible activity for both adults and kids to enjoy. It provides a very natural way for us to practice mindfulness as the colors, textures, smells and – yes – even the sounds can bring us deeper into the moment. It requires no experience and can be accessible for nearly everyone and nearly everywhere. The key to mindful artmaking is to focus on the process rather than the outcome. When we judge our work, we can easily become frustrated and not be in the moment. Instead, we want to bring our attention to the atmosphere, the experience, the changes that we create with each stroke or addition.There is no set time limit for mindfulness and artmaking practices. Like everything, it can grow over time. Start with an amount of time you are comfortable with – even just a few minutes – and increase your time from there. We’ve compiled 7 mindfulness artmaking activities that encourage relaxation and connecting to the present moment.
Drawing or Painting on a Large Surface – there doesn’t have to be a specific goal or theme, but we encourage you to practice freedom of expression and big movements. You can paint lots of shapes, colors, and whatever you intuitively or emotionally feel like.
Blow Painting – this activity is perfect for connecting to your breath while having fun by creating interesting designs.
Leaf Printing – connect with your surroundings in nature while collecting leaves of all shapes and sizes. Dip the leaves in some paint and press them to your canvas – notice the different sizes and variations of the leaves.
Photography – now that cameras are with us almost all the time, we can drop in and artistically observe the world around us through different angles, lenses, and perspectives.
Vision Board – compiling photos, art, and quotes onto a collage is a wonderful way to connect to your goals and emotions. It’s also a great way to map out specific things you would like to see come about in the future.
Mindfulness Stones – painting stones can be an extremely relaxing activity for adults and kids alike. You can paint anything you’d like on them, from abstract colors to inspirational quotes.
Drawing or Painting Emotions – this is a great activity for delving into your emotions and senses. You can use any canvas you’d like, and even try painting or drawing with your eyes closed.
There’s no wrong way to practice mindfulness and art making – whatever activity feels right to you is what you should pursue.