Breathing Exercise Cards: Free Printable Card Set for Year 2
Breathing Exercise Cards is a free printable card set for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7), in Key Stage 1. Calm animal breaths. It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, a growing library of free printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795.
It is two A4 pages. Page 1 is the activity for children. Page 2 is for the grown-up: it has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, and a stretch idea. Print it at home or in the classroom. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
This card set includes cards to cut out and use.
A look at what children will meet:
- Snake breath: breathe in, then hiss out slowly
- Bunny breath: three small sniffs in, one long breath out
- Bee breath: breathe in, then hum out
- Lion breath: breathe in, then roar out softly
- Turtle breath: breathe in, hide your head, breathe out
- Bear breath: slow breath in and slow breath out like a sleepy bear
- Butterfly breath: flap arms slowly as you breathe
- Dolphin breath: breathe in, then blow out like a spout
Who this is for
Year 2 (ages 6 to 7) in Key Stage 1.
Key Stage 1 covers Years 1 and 2, ages 5 to 7. Children are building secure foundations in reading, writing and number, and short playful practice at home helps those foundations stick. Use it at home, in class, on a rainy afternoon or at a family gathering.
What children practise
- Calm
- Breathing
- Imagining
Children try gentle breathing exercises linked to animals to feel calm.
Learning focus and curriculum link
Subject: PSHE. Key stage: Key Stage 1. It supports the subject at this level through short, focused practice.
This sheet is a practice and play activity. It supports classroom learning and is not a replacement for it.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2 for the grown-up.
- One child or a group, about 10 minutes. A grown-up joins in and shows each one.
- Work through the activity together the first time. Talk about each choice.
- Check against the notes on page 2.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
If it feels too hard
Do one card each day.
To stretch confident children
Make up a new animal breath.
Make it a game
Take one card before bed.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Print on plain A4 paper. Black and white printing works too.
- Work through it together the first time, then let children try alone.
- Praise effort and thinking, not only correct answers.
A screen-free pshe activity for Year 2
Children spend a lot of time on screens. This is a screen-free pshe activity that needs only paper and a pencil. It works as quiet time after school, a rainy day activity, a holiday boredom buster or a calm moment before bed. Screen-free learning gives eyes a rest and gets children talking, thinking and writing by hand.
Free pshe resources for teachers
Teachers can use this card set as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task, a supply teacher resource, a homework task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. The learning focus and skills are listed above so you can match it to your planning, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
PSHE ideas for parents at home
You do not need to be a teacher to use this. Read the sheet through, sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Short bursts of ten to fifteen minutes work better than long sessions. If you are looking for free pshe worksheets for Year 2, or simple home learning for the weekend or school holidays, this is a good place to start.
Home education and tutoring
Home educators and tutors can print this as part of a wider pshe plan. It pairs well with books, outdoor play and everyday talk. Because the sheet is free and printable, you can use it again for brothers and sisters or for revision a few weeks later.
Why it helps children learn
Hands-on, paper based activities slow learning down in a good way. Children read carefully, think before they answer and see their own progress on the page. Games and challenges add a reason to keep going. That mix of play and practice is why printable activities like this are popular with parents, teachers and home educators.
What children will be able to do
- I can try a gentle breathing exercise.
- I can breathe slowly in and out.
- I can say how my body feels afterwards.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- How does your body feel after the breathing?
- Which animal breathing did you like best, and why?
- When could you use slow breathing to feel calm?
More like this
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Same subject, one year up: Growth Mindset Spinner | Same subject, one year down: Class Rules Poster
Frequently asked questions
What age is Breathing Exercise Cards for?
It is written for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7), in Key Stage 1.
What will children practise?
Children try gentle breathing exercises linked to animals to feel calm.
How do I use it?
One child or a group, about 10 minutes. A grown-up joins in and shows each one.
What if it feels too hard?
Do one card each day.
Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use.
Is Breathing Exercise Cards suitable for teachers to use in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing.
Is this a screen-free activity?
Yes. It is a screen-free printable that needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays.
Can I use it for home education?
Yes. Home educators and tutors can use it on its own or as part of a wider plan. It is free to print again for brothers, sisters or revision.
How long does it take?
Most children finish page 1 in 10 to 20 minutes. The notes on page 2 suggest ways to make it shorter or longer.
Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper.
More free printables
More for Key Stage 1 | More pshe printables | Free printable games | All Mini Minds Hub resources