The Dallas Zoo is partnering with Momentous Institute during Mental Health Awareness Month to help children learn simple mental health habits through interactive activities and time in nature.
The “Squeeze the Day” campaign includes signs and exercises placed throughout the zoo encouraging visitors to pause, focus, and reconnect with their surroundings. Organizers say the goal is to make mental health practices approachable for children and families.
“You can learn a lot about animals by observing them at the Dallas Zoo,” the story narration explains, pointing to lessons tied to animals, including flamingos and tigers.
One activity encourages children to stand on one foot like a flamingo to improve focus and balance.
“This activates your brain, which helps you focus,” a student reads from a sign during the exercise.
Kari Streiber, vice president of marketing and communications for the Dallas Zoo, said the signs are designed to encourage visitors to slow down and reconnect with nature.
“These signs are reminders throughout the zoo to just stop for a moment, either reset, reconnect, listen, look balance, do some different things to really engage the brain and connect with nature,” Streiber said.
Second graders from Momentous School practice the exercises regularly during visits to the zoo.
“As we’re seeing these, we’re practicing these things and saying ok we can stand on one foot to activate our focus,” second-grade teacher Brittany Henderson said.
One student, Aliah, said the breathing and mindfulness exercises help her feel calmer and more focused.
“When I take that deep breath, I feel really, really concentrated and focused, and it just makes me feel like nothing bothers me anymore,” Aliah said.
Kelly Richmond, director of impact at Momentous Institute, said mental health activities do not have to be complicated.
“Mental health practices doesn’t have to be complicated; it can be as easy as going to the zoo, going for a walk, texting your best friend,” Richmond said.
The “Squeeze the Day” campaign also includes activities at parks, malls, and the Byron Nelson golf tournament through the end of May.