Breathing games

If you have children or grandchildren and you want to combine keeping the children entertained with things that are good for your own health, then you can play the games explained below.  These will help you to deep breathe without you realising it and strengthen your respiratory muscles.

1. Cotton wool ball football [2-4 players]

For this game you will need:

• Cotton wool balls
• Masking tape

Cotton wool balls are lightweight and very easy to move by blowing that can form the basis of lots of games. You can also use Maltesers, Poppets (or other similar round edible items) for these games. 

Use masking tape to mark out two goals (one at either end of a table or large tray) and a rectangle ‘pitch’ – leaving about an inch from the edge of the table or tray.

• Divide the number of players (1-2 each side)
• Place a ball of cotton wool in the centre of the table or tray.
• Start the game with a count down from 3.
• Each player then aims to blow the cotton wool ball towards their goal.
• If the ball goes out of play (over the masking tape lines but not into the goal), then the other team gets a free ball.
• After each goal is scored, reset the cotton wool ball in the centre and count down from 3.
• Decide your own end point and winning line – e.g. first to three goals or 1-2 minute halves.

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2. Blow painting

For this activity you will need:

• Paper
• Poster paint/ink
• Straws
• Pippet/spoon

Drip or tip small amounts of poster paint or ink onto the paper.  Blow through a straw and push the paint.  Drip different colours and amounts of paint onto the page to build up a picture.

Although traditionally this is an activity you might do with children, there are now a plethora of blow painting techniques and creative ideas for older children and adults – especially using inks or acrylic paint pouring.  Take a look at the ideas in the youtube videos below.

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3. Pea pick-up race

For this game you will need:

• 2 or more players
• A pack or dry peas
• Straws
• 2 bowls or plates for each player plus an additional bowl

Instructions: 

• Place the dried peas in a central bowl.
• Place 10-20 peas in each players bowl
• Place a spare plate or bowl at the side of each player
• Give each player a straw
• Start the game with a count down
• Each player must pick up each pea and place it in the spare bowl using suction at the end of the straw – achieved by inhaling through the straw.
• The winner is the first person who transfers all their peas from one bowl to the other using the straw.

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4. Ping pong tumbler 

• For this game you will need 2-3 tumbler glasses or cups and 2-3 ping pong balls. The trick is to blow sharply into the cup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEY-7a-Ityw

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Other similar game ideas:

• Light as a Feather Game – keeping feathers in the air by blowing underneath them and seeing how long you can keep them up. Try with leaves or helicopter seeds outside
• Mazes – building mazes from bricks, Lego, whatever you can find and then blowing cotton wool balls, feathers or similar around the maze (with or without a straw)
• Musical instruments – harmonicas, kazoos, whistles, recorders etc work for long out-breaths
• Blowing bubbles (preferably outdoors) and then letting the children chase and pop them
• Party Blowers (the ones that make a noise and unravel) are great for long slow out-breaths

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