Take time for tea
Prepare a homemade herbal tea blend with adult help, measure steeping times, taste and compare flavors, and learn calming rituals.
Step-by-step guide to Take Time for Tea
YOGA and RELAXATION for Children 🧘♀️ Relaxation Activities for Children 🧘♂️ Compilation
Step 1
Gather all Materials Needed and put them on a clean table.
Step 2
With an adult helper pick two mild herbs you want to try for your tea.
Step 3
Measure the same recipe into two small bowls: 1 teaspoon of Herb A and 1/2 teaspoon of Herb B for each bowl.
Step 4
Spoon the herbs from each bowl into two tea infusers or into two folded paper tea bags.
Step 5
Ask an adult to boil enough water in the kettle or pot until it is steaming hot.
Step 6
Place Infuser A into Mug A and place Infuser B into Mug B.
Step 7
Ask the adult to carefully pour hot water into both mugs until each is three quarters full.
Step 8
Start a timer for Mug A set to 2 minutes.
Step 9
Start a timer for Mug B set to 5 minutes.
Step 10
When the 2 minute timer rings ask the adult to remove Infuser A and wait one minute for the tea to cool.
Step 11
Take one small sip of Mug A and notice the flavor and how it makes you feel.
Step 12
When the 5 minute timer rings ask the adult to remove Infuser B and wait one minute for the tea to cool, then take one small sip of Mug B.
Step 13
On a piece of paper draw or write which steep time tasted stronger which cup felt more calming and which cup you liked best.
Step 14
Hold your favorite mug close close your eyes and take three slow deep breaths while smelling the tea as your calming ritual.
Step 15
Share a photo or short note about your homemade tea blend your favorite steeping time and your calming ritual on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of tea infusers or folded paper tea bags if we can't find them?
If tea infusers or folded paper tea bags aren't available, make a pouch from a clean coffee filter or small muslin cloth to spoon the measured herbs into before placing it in the mug as directed.
The tea tasted too weak/too strong—what should we check or change during the activity?
If Mug A tastes too weak after the 2-minute steep, confirm you measured 1 teaspoon Herb A and 1/2 teaspoon Herb B into the bowl and next time either increase Mug A's steep to 3 minutes or add another 1/2 teaspoon of Herb A, while if Mug B is too strong shorten its steep below 5 minutes.
How can we adapt this activity for different ages so it's safe and engaging?
For younger children have the adult handle boiling the water and pouring in the kettle/pot and placing/removing infusers while the child chooses herbs, measures into bowls, smells, and draws, and for older kids let them measure, set the timers for 2 and 5 minutes, remove the infusers with adult supervision, and post their photo on DIY.org.
How can we personalize or extend the tea activity after tasting both cups?
To extend the activity try varying the measured herb ratios during the measuring step, add a teaspoon of honey or a slice of lemon after tasting to compare flavors, decorate and label your favorite mug before the three deep breaths ritual, and then share the updated photo and notes on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to Take Time for Tea
Have Fun | Meditation for Kids | GoNoodle
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Facts about herbal tea and calming routines
🍵 Most "herbal teas" are actually tisanes made from herbs, flowers, or fruits and usually don't contain caffeine.
⏱️ Steeping time changes the taste a lot: many herbs brew best in 3–7 minutes, green tea in 1–3 minutes, and black tea in 3–5 minutes.
🌼 Chamomile has been used for centuries as a gentle calming tea and contains apigenin, a compound linked to relaxation.
🫖 The Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu) turns making and drinking tea into a mindful ritual designed to calm and focus the mind.
⚠️ Not every plant is safe to brew—some herbs can be harmful to children or people with health conditions, so always check with an adult or trusted source.
