My Five Senses Mindfulness Activity (K-2 and Special Education)

A mindful moment that works for more of your students

A lot of mindfulness activities assume kids can sit still, close their eyes, and explain how they feel. Plenty of your students can’t do that yet, and that’s okay.

This lesson starts where they are. Students use their eyes, ears, hands, nose, and mouth to notice what’s around them, then point, paste, draw, or tell you how they feel. The script tells you what to say at each step, and every student has a way to take part.

What’s inside

• Objectives, materials list, and 5-minute prep steps
• Scripted 5-8 minute mini-lesson: settling in, flower breath, five senses scan, quiet breaths, and sharing feelings
• My Mindful Five Senses worksheets with word choices
• Cut-and-paste picture cards for students to choose from
• Blank worksheet templates to write your own options or let students draw
• 5-4-3-2-1 grounding worksheet for transitions or when a student is overwhelmed
• Fist to Five emotions check-in to use before and after
• Differentiation notes: picture symbols, AAC core words, sentence frames, reduced choices, and movement breaks
• Trauma-informed and safety notes: opting out, consent for touch, allergies, choking, and hygiene
• Assessment ideas, including IEP-aligned data tracking, plus suggested pacing

Ways to use it

• As a five-minute routine to start the day or settle after recess
• As a longer weekly session exploring one sense
• As a tool for counselors, social workers, OT’s, and special education teachers
• As a check-in before and after a hard transition

Looking for a quick freebie instead? Five Senses Activities for Kids has a free printable. This paid lesson is the longer classroom version, built for K-2 and special education.