Deep breathing games

Why do breathing games?

The aim of breathing games is to help deep breaths and fill the lungs with air. The extra air can also get into the airways behind fluids and help to move them.

There are a number of different breathing games available. The physiotherapist will tell you which ones are best for your child depending on your child’s age and ability.

Breathing games

Blowing bubbles in a pot

With a straw, take a half filled cup of water and blow bubbles in it. Blow for as long as possible and the bigger the bubbles the better.

Blowing tissues or feathers

While lying on their back or slightly sitting up, place a tissue or feather near the face and encourage your child to blow the tissue away.

Blow a football (with and without a straw)

Set up a football pitch on a table, or flat surface, using each end as a goal. Screw a piece of paper up to act as the ball and blow the ball, with a straw or without a straw, to move the ball towards the goal.

Penalty shoot out

Again make a football by screwing up a piece of paper. Mark out a goal and see how many goals they can score.

Hooters or whistle

Use hooters, whistles or musical instruments to encourage deep breathing prior to blowing.

Windmills

Encourage deep breaths to blow paper windmills to make them to spin.

Blowing up balloons

Blowing up balloons can encourage deep breaths. This activity may be more suitable for older children.

Blow painting

Use a tray with liquid paint and a straw to blow bubbles then place a piece of paper flat on the bubbles and make a pretty picture.

Blowing pens

Blowing pens are available from shops, where you have to blow through a tube to disperse the pen’s ink.

Steaming up a mirror

Take a big breath, steam up your mirror and then you can write or draw a pattern in the steam.

Blowing hand away

Put your hand facing palm up towards your child’s face and encourage your child to blow your hand away The bigger their blow, the more your hand is moved away.

Toy on stomach

Place a toy on your child’s stomach, for example a boat, and encourage deep breaths. The movement of the stomach during breathing should make the toy move up and down.