Thinkabara

🎉 Calming games for kids

Google Classroom

After a wild activity, before a meal or at the end of a long day, kids need a gentle bridge from high energy to quiet. These games were chosen for teachers, preschool staff, camp leaders and parents at bedtime.

A slow version of Charades works well here: pick calm actions like sleeping or reading a book instead of fast ones. Who Am I? is another good choice, because it takes quiet focus and thinking, not movement. The common mistake is trying to stop the fun all at once. Plan two or three steps down instead: a short movement game that ends, then quiet Charades, and finally Who Am I? sitting down.

Practical tip: use the same two or three games every evening rather than a new one each time. A fixed routine makes the move to sleep much easier.

Our top picks

All 18 games

Describe and DrawAges 6+ ¡ 2-20 players ¡ 10-15 minI Went ShoppingAges 6+ ¡ 4-20 players ¡ 5-10 minIf I Were an AnimalAges 5+ ¡ 4-25 players ¡ 5-10 minWhat's the Connection?Ages 8+ ¡ 2-20 players ¡ 5-10 minWho Switched Places?Ages 5+ ¡ 6-25 players ¡ 5-10 minThree-Word Birthday WishesAges 7+ ¡ 4-30 players ¡ 5-10 minSilent Line-UpAges 7+ ¡ 6-30 players ¡ 5 minMy Favorite ThingAges 5+ ¡ 4-25 players ¡ 5-10 minWhat's Missing? (Kim's Game)Ages 5+ ¡ 3-20 players ¡ 5-10 minThe Mirror GameAges 5+ ¡ 2-20 players ¡ 5-10 minThe No-Instrument OrchestraAges 5+ ¡ 5-25 players ¡ 5-10 minThe Yes/No GameAges 7+ ¡ 2-20 players ¡ 5-10 minFact or Fib?Ages 6+ ¡ 2-30 players ¡ 5-15 minWould You Rather?Ages 7+ ¡ 3-30 players ¡ 10-15 minThe Secret WinkerAges 8+ ¡ 8-20 players ¡ 10 minWord LinksAges 8+ ¡ 2-20 players ¡ 5-15 minFold-and-Draw MonstersAges 5+ ¡ 4-20 players ¡ 10-15 minTic-Tac-ToeAges 4+ ¡ 2-30 players ¡ 5-15 min

Questions and answers

How long does a good wind-down before bed take?

Usually 10-15 minutes of gradual calming is enough, moving from a movement stage to a quiet stage without trying to rush it.

What is the difference between a quiet game and a calming game?

A quiet game just doesn't make noise. A calming game is built to lower the energy level step by step, usually through slow, mindful actions.

Which calming game works at bedtime with one child?

The Mirror Game with slow movements, I Went Shopping in a whisper or My Favorite Thing. All of them work for two people in a dimly lit room.