Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Workbooks for Kids
A playful workbook series with fun activities and comics to grow emotional awareness, self-kindness, and resilience
Looking for a playful way to help children grow resilience skills? This award-winning series of activity books helps kids ages 6–12 meet everyday challenges with mindfulness and self-compassion, so they can build emotional awareness, inner kindness, and resilience that lasts.
Not sure where to start? Scroll down to see a comparison.
“These remarkable books are a treasure trove of fun, insightful, and effective activities parents and teachers can do with children to help them learn the skill of self-compassion. They’re a powerful resource that helps children cope with challenging feelings and situations in a healthy way. An amazing life gift for any child.”
–Dr. Kristin Neff, Associate Professor at UT Austin, author of Self-Compassion and Fierce Self-Compassion
Why I Created These Workbooks
When my daughter was young, she felt things deeply. Meltdowns were frequent, and the usual advice about “calming down” often made things worse. What changed everything for both of us was learning self-compassion, not as a concept, but as a way of relating to emotions with understanding rather than judgment.
Self-compassion gave my daughter tools to work with big feelings. It gave me a different way to show up as a parent. Over time, those simple, playful practices helped her grow into a more resilient, confident child.
These workbooks grew out of that experience, and out of years of teaching mindfulness and self-compassion to children, caregivers, and educators. They’re designed so kids don’t just learn about emotions, they practice relating to themselves with kindness, curiosity, and courage.
What Makes These Workbooks Different?
The Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Workbooks for Kids were created alongside a team of children, with one guiding principle in mind: kids learn best through play.
Each book includes:
- Playful comics and illustrations
- Quotes and reflections from real kids
- Creative, interactive activities
- An adventure map that guides kids through a playful learning journey
- Playful animals that help kids notice feelings and practice resilience
While the activities feel fun and accessible, children are practicing meaningful self-compassion skills. Research links self-compassion with lower anxiety and depression and greater well-being. The workbooks are based on activities from the Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Children and Caregivers (MSC-CC) program, an approved adaptation of the research-based Mindful Self-Compassion program. Dr. Kristin Neff wrote the foreword to the series.
Each volume has a different focus:
- Volume 1 builds foundational skills like noticing emotions, mindful awareness, belonging, and self-kindness.
- Volume 2 helps kids apply those skills when worry, anger, self-criticism, or motivation challenges show up.
Created With Kids, Not Just For Them
These workbooks began in my living room with six kids who had strong opinions and creative ideas about what they needed. They didn’t want another lesson about feelings. They wanted a quiz, comics, and characters they could actually relate to.
I followed their lead, and that’s how the Feelings Habit Animals were born. The result is a playful approach to self-compassion that kids don’t just learn from, but genuinely enjoy using.
“I’m such a Bear when I get mad!” –Kid tester, age 9
Playful Characters and Comics
Children are guided through each adventure by playful characters who make big ideas approachable and relatable.
Five resilience habit animals will help your child playfully learn resilience skills as they complete each adventure. Relatable comic characters, real kids, and “feelings habit animals” will acquire the skills along with your child.
Kids meet:
- Feelings Habit Animals, which help them notice patterns like big feelings, sticky thoughts, hidden feelings, and self-talk
- Resilience Habit Animals, which offer different ways to respond with awareness, connection, kindness, helpful action, and perspective
Together they create a playful Notice and Respond approach to teaching self-compassion to children, helping kids recognize what is happening inside and practice what might help in the moment.
Learn about the Feelings Animals
Meet the Resilience Habit Animals
Playful Quizzes That Help Kids Learn About Their Feelings and What Helps
Each workbook begins with a playful quiz designed to teach and explore.
Volume 1 features the Feelings Habit Animal Quiz, which helps kids notice emotional patterns and understand others sometimes feel like them, too.
Volume 2 introduces the Resilience Habit Animal Quiz, which helps kids explore different resilience habits and discover what feels most supportive in everyday moments.
Not sure where to start? Here’s a comparison of Volume 1 and Volume 2
There’s no wrong place to begin.
Volume 2 can be used on its own, though many families find it most supportive after completing Volume 1.
Get Free Sample Activities
Members of my newsletter receive a free PDF excerpt from Volume 1, along with gentle tips for supporting kids with mindfulness and self-compassion.
As Featured by the Greater Good Science Center
The practices and activities from the Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Workbooks for Kids have been featured by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley.
Volume 1 was also named a Favorite Book of 2024 by Greater Good.
Related Testimonials
“Jamie Lynn has created a masterpiece for kids that is fun, creative, and engaging. Complete with comics, word games, and art activities, this book teaches kids how to be kinder to themselves in any easy and accessible way. Tips for “grown-ups” are throughout, so adults can guide kids through the book (and maybe learn a little for themselves too!). A must-have for all kids!”
–Karen Bluth, PhD, Author of the Self-Compassion Workbook for Teens
“Wow! There is so much wisdom packed into this delightful series of books for kids. Jamie Lynn inhabits the world of children like a child, but she doesn’t waste a single word as she teaches kids to hold their blooming and buzzing world of emotions with kindness and compassion. As the outer world becomes more and more complex, we can only hope the next generation learns the inner skills conveyed in this book. I can hardly wait to share it with others.”
–Christopher Germer, PhD, Lecturer, Harvard Medical School, Author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion
“These workbooks are fun, engaging, and helpful. What a great way to support young people as they begin to explore and play with self-compassion in their lives. The ideas are clever, and the artwork, activities, and visuals will definitely appeal to kids. I especially love the inclusion of actual children with their comments throughout and think young people will see themselves reflected here.”
–Wendy O’Leary, Author of It’s Okay
“Jamie Lynn has written a workbook for kids to read, practice, play and understand how self-compassion can grow resilience. It’s packed with so many interactive exercises and ideas that everyone is guaranteed to find something that helps them experience and practice self-compassion. The Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Workbooks are full of relatable characters, kids’ voices and age-appropriate exercises. If you’re looking for a fun and creative way to share self-compassion with your child, this book will support you along your journey.“
–Lisa Baylis, Educator and Author of Self-Compassion for Educators
“WOWSA!!! is the word that comes closest to expressing my love, enthusiasm, and gratitude for these fun, engaging, and beautifully illustrated workbooks that teach mindfulness and self-compassion to children. While kids are enjoying the playful characters, they are practicing skills that will boost their emotional resilience for years to come. I particularly appreciate that the workbooks are designed for parents and caregivers to use alongside children. What a precious gift to have intergenerational common language to express tough feelings, important values, and outlook on the world. I wish these books had been around when I was a kid, and when I had my own kids.“
–Barbara M., MD, Family Practice Physician, Mother & Grandmother
