Making a Zen Den at Home

How to Make a Zen Den at Home in Four Simple Steps!

Source: Abundant Life Children

Source: Your Kid's Table

Choose a Location

- While deciding where to put your Zen Den, it's important to consider the noise level and size of the space. Ideally, a quiet area in the house would be more calming as loud sounds and frequent noises can feel overwhelming and distracting for children in need of decompression. Large spaces can also be visually distracting for children in distress; the simpler the better!

Decide on its Structure

- Zen Dens don't need to be fancy; there are tons of ways to create a productive calming space! Whether you use a large cardboard box, a small tent, or the corner of your living room with a blanket over the top, the effects of the Zen Den will be the same. The most important thing to consider is the sensory needs of your child. For example, if your child is bothered by bright lights, having an enclosed space might work better for them. Or if your child is bothered by loud noises, having the Zen Den in a quiet space separate from the rest of the house might work best.

Make the Space Cozy

- The main goal of the Zen Den is to provide a safe space for children to relax their bodies and focus on self-regulation. Having soft blankets, pillows and/or cushions in the space help create that calming environment while also giving tactile input for your child to focus on and redirect their energy.

Add Sensory Tools

- This is where it gets fun! Every Zen Den includes calming tools to aid in decompression. Common objects you may find in a Zen Den include fidget spinners, stress balls, books, or word searches. If you don't have some of the objects listed, that's totally okay! Things around the house such as dry rice, bubble wrap, or colored paper to fold work the same way. The main goal is to redirect your child's thinking as they decompress.

Zen Den "On the Go" Tutorial

Ways to Make Calming Tools for your Zen Den:

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