Encouraging Self Care for Kids

July 24 is Self Care Day, and it’s really important for us as parents and teachers to help our kids understand what self-care is and how to develop those habits early on in life. It’s not about literally taking care of your physical needs (though that can be part of it!) but more about tending to your mental health and feelings.

Self Love Rainbow has a great graphic all about the basics for kids (and adults!) who might need help getting started. It’s great to talk to kids about what you do for self care (and start up some routines if you don’t already do self-care regularly!) as options that they might consider for their own self care.

It’s important that self-care activities for kids be age appropriate, of course. Journaling, for example, is a great way to process emotions, but it might not be suitable to all ages or all kids.

Incorporating physical activity into a self-care routine is a great idea at all ages, whether that’s going for a family walk through the neighborhood (which was at least a daily occurrence, if not more often, when we were all home during covid), doing yoga together or riding a bike inside or outside.

Other easy ideas are reading books or listening to audio books; doing something creative like drawing, painting or knitting; talking to a friend; playing games; or playing with or petting your pet.

Mental Health Center Kids has a list of 101 different self-care activities that are great for kids if you need more ideas. Have your kids (at home or in the classroom) make a list of activities they like to do and use that list as a reminder when things get stressful or even when they say they’re bored.

Do you have tips for encouraging self care among kids? I’d love to hear them!

[Photo: Self Love Rainbow]

Free Printable Christian Gratitude Journal As you delve into the pages of the Christian Gratitude Coloring Journal, you’ll find not only a creative outlet but also an opportunity to deepen your relationship with your faith. Rediscover the joy of slowing down, appreciating life’s little wonders, and nurturing your connection with the divine. Allow this journal to be a beacon of light that illuminates your path towards spiritual growth and genuine contentment.

Explaining Dia de Los Muertos to kids can be difficult because most of us don’t generally talk about death or what happens when we die a lot with our kids. But Dia de los Muertos is actually a happy, not scary occasion that allows us to remember loved ones, share stories and come together as a community.

While it is mostly celebrated by people of Mexican heritage, the day has become more well known thanks to movies and other media representations. And there are some great children’s books to help explain and allow you to celebrate the holiday if you want.

Dia de Muertos by Jaque Jours, illustrated by Alejandra Ruiz (48 pages, hardcover, published 2025 by words & pictures, suggested retail price $14.99) tells the story of a family getting their ofrenda (altar for the dead) ready and how they remember people who have died through decorations, food and sharing stories.

It covers the classic decorations and rituals of Dia de los Muertos including using cempasúchil (in English we call them marigolds) and papel picado (cut paper banners), pan de muerto and la catrina, the elaborately dressed, skull faced women that are a common site at Dia de los Muertos gatherings.

The back of the book explores how the day is celebrated throughout Mexico as well as the meanings of different symbols. There’s a recipe for pan de muerto, a tutorial for making papel picado and tips for doing makeup to look like like la catrina/el catrin.

Want to try more traditional foods? The Dia de Los Muertos Cookbook is a companion to The Dia de Los Muertos Story, both of which are by Andrea Jáuregui de la Torre and illustrated by Laura González (52 pages, hardcover paper over boards, published 2026 by becker & meyer kids!, suggested retail price $19.99).

The book opens with some discussion of the meaning of Dia de los Muertos and why food is an important part of the day. The recipes included are easy enough for kids to make with minimal help, and all based on food memories from her childhood.

There are recipes for hibiscus iced tea, Mexican corn and salsa, tortillas, molletes (open faced sandwiches with beans and cheese), jicama fries and sugar skulls to name a few.

Other activities in the book include papel picado, coffee filter marigolds, making your own playlist and making an ofrenda.

Together these books give young readers insight into this holiday that might be new or confusing to them, while also giving you a chance to get in the kitchen together and make your own Dia de los Muertos memories.

Have you read?

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