Mindful Moments in Nature: Finding Calm and Connection with Your Kids this Holiday Season
"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished"- Lao Tzu
While I remember childhood holidays as a magical time, for the grown-ups making the magic it can feel like a whirlwind of to-do lists, social commitments, and constant demands on your time and energy. For parents especially, it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and lose sight of the moments that matter most.
But slowing down doesn’t mean missing out — it means making space for connection, joy, and calm. One simple way to do this is by bundling up, stepping outside, and letting nature work its magic.
Why Nature is the Perfect Holiday Stress Reliever
Research shows that spending even a few minutes outdoors can reduce stress, improve focus, and boost mood for both kids and their grown-ups. Nature offers a natural reset for our nervous systems, helping us shift from overwhelmed to calm. It’s also a fantastic way to engage kids in activities that support their executive function skills, like planning, organizing, and regulating emotions.
Mindful Moments for You and Your Kids
Incorporating mindfulness into your holiday routine doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.
Here are a few ideas to try:
Winter Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of seasonal items to search for on your next walk—pinecones, red berries, animal tracks, or unique tree shapes.
Before heading out, involve your kids in planning the list. What do they think they might find? Let them brainstorm and draw a map or checklist.
As you search, encourage them to notice details: the texture of a pinecone, the color of moss, or the sound of birdsong.
Or if you’re looking for a more print-and-go option, download our Winter Scavenger Hunt
Sit Spot Safari
Pick a quiet spot outside (or by a window if it’s too cold) and challenge everyone to sit still for five minutes. What do they see, hear, or feel?
This simple exercise helps kids practice focused attention while connecting with the present moment.
Breath Like the Trees
Teach kids to sync their breathing with nature. On a cold day, have them watch their breath in the air and imagine the trees “breathing out” oxygen while they “breathe in.”
Use this time to pause and reflect on something you’re grateful for together.
Click here to download our Winter Scavenger Hunt
How These Moments Build Skills and Memories
While these activities are fun and calming, they’re also doing serious work behind the scenes. Kids are practicing critical executive function skills:
planning the scavenger hunt builds organization
observing during sit spots sharpens attention
syncing their breath with the trees strengthens emotional regulation
These mindful moments won’t just make the holidays calmer — they’ll create lasting memories of connection and wonder. So grab your coat, step outside, and rediscover the joy of slowing down in nature.
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Guest post by Ella Holton-McCoy, M.A. Educational Therapy and Words in the Wild Teaching Fellowship graduate. Ella supports students and their grown-ups with executive function skills to help reduce stress for the entire family. You can reach her at illuminatedefcoaching@gmail.com.
