Back to Mind Explorers
These four simple games help children explore different aspects of mindfulness and present-moment awareness in a playful and accessible way.
The “Try Not To” game encourages children to take a step back from their habitual patterns of wanting, striving, and thinking, and to experience a sense of contentment and ease in the present moment. By practicing letting go of these tendencies even for a short while, children can develop greater mental flexibility and emotional balance.
“The Yes Game” helps children cultivate a more accepting and non-judgmental attitude towards their own thoughts and experiences. By learning to say “yes” to whatever arises in their mind, they can develop greater self-compassion and reduce the power of negative self-talk or self-criticism.
The paradoxical nature of the “Just Non-Do It” game introduces children to the idea of non-doing or effortless action. By catching themselves in the midst of doing and then consciously choosing to do nothing, they can experience a sense of spaciousness and ease that comes from aligning with the natural flow of life.
Finally, the “No Thoughts” game invites children to imagine a state of pure awareness beyond the realm of thought. While it may be challenging or even impossible to actually experience a complete absence of thoughts, the exercise can help children recognize the distinction between their thoughts and the awareness that underlies them.
Hey there, young mindfulness explorer!
Today, we're going to play four exciting games that will help us discover new ways to experience the world around us and the one inside our minds.
These games are called "Try Not To," "The Yes Game," "Just Non-Do It," and "No Thoughts."
Each game will challenge us to look at our thoughts and actions in a different way and help us practice being present in the moment.
Are you ready to have some mindful fun?
1. Introduce the first game, “Try Not To“:
2. Move on to the second game, “The Yes Game“:
3. Introduce the third game, “Just Non-Do It“:
4. Finally, play the fourth game, “No Thoughts“:
To further explore the concepts introduced in these games, consider sharing the book “The Quiet Book” by Deborah Underwood with your child.
With soft, whimsical illustrations, “The Quiet Book” explores all the different kinds of quiet moments children might experience, from cozy to reflective. This is an excellent tie-in to “Just Non-Do It” and “Try Not To,” as children learn there are many flavors of peaceful stillness. Each quiet moment described in the book can serve as a mini mindfulness exercise in recognizing and accepting whatever arises.
Verse 1:
Try not to want, try not to do
Just for a moment, see what comes through
Say yes to thoughts, let them all in
A big welcome party, let the fun begin
Pre-Chorus:
Four little games to play with your mind
New ways of being you’ll surely find
Chorus:
Mind games for little sages
Exploring all the inner spaces
Do nothing, think nothing, say yes to all
In this playground of awareness, have a ball
Verse 2:
Catch yourself doing, then just let it go
Non-do it, non-think it, go with the flow
Imagine no thoughts, not even one
What would that be like? Oh, what fun!
(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus)
Bridge:
In the quiet, in the stillness
There’s a world of inner brilliance
Play these games and you will see
How amazing your mind can be
(Chorus)
Outro:
So when life gets noisy, and thoughts run wild
Remember these games from your inner child
Mind games for little sages, young and old
Where presence and peace are worth more than gold
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