Mandala means circle in Sanskrit and they are well known in Buddhist and Hindu traditions. However, mandalas are not limited to eastern philosophies and practises. In fact, mandalas have been the focus of meditation, contemplation and admiration across the world and throughout the centuries. A circle within a circle is a pattern found in nature. At our very basic level each cell has a nucleus, each atom is a mandala. The opposite is also true. As you contemplate the sun, moon, planets and the cosmos, mandalas become apparent as a basic element of the universe.
The circle is a universal form with tremendous symbolic meaning. It is simple and yet contains the eternal. It reminds us of our relation to the infinite world both beyond and within our bodies and minds.
Mandalas With Kids
Many school districts have regulations regarding spiritual instruction in the classroom so omit religious connotations when working with mandalas in the public school system. If you are using it as part of a yoga class, prayer group or religion class, incorporate belief teachings as appropriate.
Mandalas are a visual and physical tool for meditating. Mandalas are to be visually appealing so as to absorb and calm the chatter of the mind. When meditating it is important to first set your intention and to select a mandala that appeals to you. There are an innumerable array of mandalas to choose from inspired by various religious and cultural backgrounds. Alternatively you can create your own mandalas using various mediums: sand, string, crayons, paints, chalk, collage, tile, glass, fabric, etc.
Colouring Mandalas
Producing individual, multicoloured mandalas is a creative and personal process. It is a calming, nourishing expereince which does not require any expertise and as such can be used with all ages. This exercise can provide deep insight into our lives and ourselves. Colouring mandalas helps children process their emotions through colour and art, and is a well known method of art therapy. To find numerous printable mandalas visit Free Mandala. There are also Christmas Mandala and Halloween Mandala colouring pages. Thanks to KarmaSpot Blog for suggesting this activity.
Communal Mandalas
You can also create larger group mandalas as part of a special occasion, workshop or celebration. This is a way to cooperatively work together, deepening connections, and building ties while exploring the use of symbolism. Group mandalas can be made from any material and can take minutes to days to complete. Visit The Mandala Project for ideas on group mandalas or to learn how to get your class involved into something grander than themselves.
Mandala Give Away
As my Christmas gift to you, I will be giving away a Mini Mandala Designer Classic to one lucky commentator. This fun mandala creator lets kids explore their creativity and make their own mandalas using basic templates. Just add paper and some coloured pens and you’re set for hours of entertaining and creative fun. To enter the draw leave a comment below. You have until New Year’s Day.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
What a great product! Thanks for sharing! This is a great time of year to find some calming and centering activities for the kids. Cabin fever can hit and the excess energy can easily start turning to bad behavior. I love the idea of centering oneself with mandalas that you create by picking the images for your own design. Taping into your own conscience by picking images that appeal to you while being present in the coloring is very powerful.
love it! very interesting and I love the rug on in the first picture
Hi Donna, I recently started following you on Twitter. I thank you so much for your wealth of info on yoga for kids which you freely and frequently share. All the best for you and your family over the holidays. Enjoy your trip to Montreal!
Sounds like a cool product – it looks a bit like the Spiro-graph (at least I think that is what it was called) I used to play with as a kid.
I saw a group of Monks making a Mandala with sand at the Museum in Ottawa – it was so intricate and they moved so carefully to place the sand in the right spot. No rushing. Then at the end they swept the whole thing away! It was a powerful lesson in detachment and impermanence. Sometimes I burn my mandalas after I make them just for the feeling of freedom it gives.
Hi, Donna! What a wonderful product! I would love to have one to use with my autistic 5-year old!
I remember the first mandala I saw – in Sri Lanka, visiting my sister in the Peace Corps there. Another one that I was very struck by was one created for a celebration and was on display briefly at the Smithsonian Museum here in DC as the monks were creating it. Such a wonderful example of the importance of the process vs. the outcome. I’d love to use a kit to show my kids about the beauty of mandalas!
wow.. what a cool gift! my kids would adore this and it looks like something i’d give as a present to lots of my yogi friends too!
what a great activity for kids!! hope you have a wonderful holiday.
I just love mandalas! THis is a great reminder to try this with my daughter! Thank you! I will be sure and check out the freemandala site too.
Happy New Year!
I’d love to do this activity with my daughters!
My favorite mandala is the wripple of water as it cascades outward.
What a lovely idea. I love doing group projects with my classes — collages, murals, etc. I would love to do a Manadala as I have never done one. I do drama, art and yoga with my kids. This would be a great addition. By the way, I love your newsletters and blogs. Thank you.
Thank you for the beautiful explanation of mandalas…I’ve never been totally clear on what they were or what their purpose is. This is so cool – and of course, it makes sense, calming the chatter in the mind…another great source of information, thank you!
I teach special ed and have so many students that love coloring mandalas. It is a structured, balanced, relaxing activity for them. How fun for them to be able to create their own with this kit!
Mandalas – What a great way to get kids into exploring both their artistic and spiritual sides at the same time. Thanks