The experience of waiting can be uncomfortable—for anyone, of any age. For children, waiting room environments can trigger big emotions. Whether it’s a doctor’s office, a hospital, or a dentist, an unknown environment can result in children feeling afraid or anxious.

Waiting rooms are full of the unknown and children can easily get caught up in their imaginations while waiting, trying to piece together the puzzle of what’s to come.These thoughts can quickly become overwhelming.

As a health and support professional for children, you’ve likely already tapped into the opportunity to create a waiting room environment that truly serves the children who pass through it. A place they feel at home in, cared for and accepted.

As a way to further enhance your waiting room environment, Smiling Mind has a stack of printable mindful drawing and colouring activities to help children ground themselves in the present moment.

Print out these mindful activity sheets for children to do on their own or with their parents while they wait. All you need is the print out and some coloured pencils or crayons.These activities can also support children to regulate their emotions while they wait.

By focusing on these activities, children may be able to pull themselves out of their imagination and regulate their emotions while they wait.