Calming Activities for Children with ADHD

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You have a child with ADHD. Or a teen with ADHD. Or a spouse with ADHD. Someone in your household who is impulsive, disorganized, restless, and has low frustration tolerance.

In list form, here are some calming activities for children with ADHD. Just remember…

  • Not everything works every time to help calm a child with ADHD.

  • Some things work one day, but not the next to calm your teen with ADHD.

  • At times, we don’t even want to make an effort to calm our loved ones with ADHD. It’s easier just to scream and yell.

We know. We’ve been there.

Scary, right? But sometimes it feels so good just to scream….

Scary, right? But sometimes it feels so good just to scream….

Put these calming activities for children with ADHD in your “back pocket”. And know that you are not alone!

Five calming tips for children with ADHD at school.

calming tips for children with adhd at school

  1. Have a fidget object, like a quarter, that they can hold while they work.

  2. Don’t take recess away! Recess is necessary for all, and not just a reward for well-behaved students.

  3. Review the schedule, refocusing your child and reassuring them that a break is coming.

  4. Listening to soft background music on headphones can improve focus and concentration.

  5. 10 deep breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth.

5 calming strategies for your child with ADHD doing homework.

calming activities for teens with adhd

  1. 10 deep breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth.

  2. Make a list, which is a great form of mental rehearsal.

  3. Short ‘movement breaks’ can help a child refocus on completing the work.

  4. Reward little successes. A hug and smile make a difference, even with teens.

  5. Sometimes kids react better to outsiders, such as tutors, grandma, or the cool neighborhood teen. Enlist help - helpers do not mean you are a failure as a parent.

fidget ring to calm teens with adhd

5 calming activities for teens with ADHD

  1. A fidget ring! Support the creative people on Etsy and find one that suits you.

  2. Send them to the shower or the bathtub. Epson salts or essential oils can help.

  3. Redirect their activity. Jump rope, wash the car, organize the spice rack.

  4. Get artistic. Paint, clay, wire, wood, ink. Let them be creative!

  5. Take a dance break. Like Zoey in this video…

A dance break would even work for parents!

If you need more guidance, or just to talk about your own specific situation, we can help. Click for more resources. Or let us know you want a call or email.

No judgement. No obligation. Just guidance from experts who have been there, too.