15 Fun Coping Skills Activities for Kids

Here's a quick guide to 15 engaging activities that help children develop essential coping skills:

1. Mindfulness Coloring
2. Breathing Exercises
3. Feelings Journal
4. Calm-Down Kit
5. Yoga for Kids
6. Emotion Charades
7. Positive Affirmation Stones
8. Worry Jar Activity
9. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
10. Stress Ball Making
11. Music and Movement
12. Nature Walk and Grounding
13. Puppet Play Therapy
14. Mindfulness Jar
15. Positive Self-Talk Mirror Exercise

These activities aim to:

• Help kids understand and express emotions
• Improve self-awareness
• Teach stress management
• Boost self-esteem
• Enhance problem-solving skills

Activity	Main Benefit
Mindfulness Coloring	Reduces stress
Breathing Exercises	Calms emotions
Feelings Journal	Improves emotional awareness
Calm-Down Kit	Provides self-soothing tools
Yoga for Kids	Enhances body-mind connection

Each activity is easy to set up and can be done at home or in school settings. By engaging in these fun exercises, kids learn to handle life's ups and downs more effectively.

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1. Mindfulness Coloring

Mindfulness coloring is a simple activity that helps kids relax and be creative. It involves using coloring books or sheets with detailed designs, which helps children focus on the present moment.

How Kids Engage

Kids often find mindfulness coloring very engaging. Choosing colors and filling in patterns can keep them focused for a while. This is especially helpful for children who have trouble sitting still or paying attention for long periods.

How It Helps Emotions

Coloring mindfully can help children feel better in several ways:

Benefit	Description
Less Stress	The repeated coloring motions can help kids feel calm
Better Mood	Making something can make kids feel happy and proud
Self-Expression	Kids can use colors to show how they feel inside

How to Do It

Mindfulness coloring is easy to set up:

1. Get coloring books or printable sheets with detailed designs for the child's age
2. Provide different coloring tools (crayons, colored pencils, markers)
3. Find a quiet, comfy spot for coloring
4. Tell kids to focus on coloring, not on making a perfect picture

2. Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises help kids handle stress and worry. These simple activities teach children to pay attention to their breath, which helps them relax and control their feelings.

How Kids Get Involved

Kids enjoy breathing exercises when they're fun and hands-on. Here's an easy "Finger Breathing" game:

1. Sit comfortably
2. Hold up one hand with fingers spread
3. Use the other hand's index finger to trace each finger
4. Breathe in while tracing up, breathe out while tracing down

This game helps kids stay focused and makes breathing practice more fun.

How It Helps Feelings

Breathing exercises are good for kids' emotions:

Benefit	How It Helps
Less Stress	Slow breathing helps the body relax
Better Focus	Regular practice helps kids pay attention
Calmer Reactions	Kids learn to pause when they feel upset
Easier Sleep	Can help kids calm down before bed

Easy to Do

Breathing exercises are simple:

• No special tools needed
• Can be done anywhere
• Take just a few minutes
• Work for kids of all ages

For best results, have kids practice often, not just when they're stressed. Start with short 1-2 minute sessions and slowly make them longer as kids get used to it.

3. Create a Feelings Journal

A feelings journal helps kids express and understand their emotions. It's a good way for children to think about how they feel and learn about their emotions.

How Kids Get Involved

Kids enjoy making a feelings journal when it's fun:

• Use colorful pens and stickers
• Draw pictures
• Answer simple questions
• Write or draw whatever they want

This makes journaling feel like a fun activity, not a chore.

How It Helps Emotions

Keeping a journal is good for kids' feelings:

Benefit	How It Helps
Know Yourself	Kids learn to name their feelings
Handle Emotions	Gives a place to let out feelings
Solve Problems	Helps think about fixing emotional issues
Less Stress	Safe way to share big feelings

Writing in a journal often can help kids feel better and deal with problems better.

Easy to Start

It's easy to begin a feelings journal:

1. Pick a notebook the child likes
2. Choose a time to write, like before bed
3. Give some ideas of what to write about
4. Make sure it's private and okay to share anything

Parents can start small, with just a few minutes of writing each day. They can make it longer as the child gets used to it.

4. Build a Calm-Down Kit

A calm-down kit helps kids handle big feelings. It's a box of things they can use when they feel upset or stressed.

How Kids Get Involved

Making a calm-down kit is fun for kids. They can pick things they like, such as:

• Squishy balls
• Coloring books
• Nice-smelling items
• Soft toys
• Calming music

When kids help make the kit, they learn how to use it better.

How It Helps Feelings

A calm-down kit is good for kids' emotions:

Benefit	How It Helps
Self-control	Kids learn to handle feelings on their own
Less stress	Gives tools to feel better right away
Knowing feelings	Helps kids spot and deal with emotions
New ways to cope	Teaches how to handle tough feelings

With different tools, kids can try what works best for them.

Easy to Make

Making a calm-down kit is simple:

1. Pick a box or bag
2. Get items for the kit
3. Let the child decorate the box
4. Show how to use the kit
5. Change items as the child grows

Parents can change the kit as their child's needs change, making it useful for a long time.

5. Yoga for Kids

Yoga for kids helps children learn to handle their feelings and feel better overall. It mixes moving the body with calming the mind.

How Kids Get Involved

Kids like yoga because it's fun. They can:

• Pretend to be animals or things while doing poses
• Listen to stories about the poses
• Play yoga games

For example:

• Standing like a tree becomes swaying in the wind
• The downward dog pose turns into a stretching puppy
• The warrior pose lets kids act like brave heroes

These fun ideas keep kids interested in doing yoga.

How It Helps Feelings

Doing yoga often can help kids feel better:

What It Does	How It Helps
Less stress	Slow breathing and gentle moves calm kids down
Better focus	Paying attention to their body helps kids concentrate
More confidence	Learning new poses makes kids feel good about themselves
Handle feelings better	Yoga teaches kids to stop and think before reacting

By learning to breathe and move their body, kids get better at dealing with stress and worry.

Easy to Start

Starting yoga with kids is not hard:

1. Find a quiet place
2. Use yoga mats or soft blankets
3. Start with short 10-15 minute sessions
4. Play kid-friendly music
5. Use fun props like stuffed animals

Parents and teachers can do yoga at home or school without buying much. There are many free videos online that show easy yoga for kids.

6. Emotion Charades

Emotion Charades is a fun game that helps kids learn about feelings. Children act out emotions without talking, which helps them understand and show different feelings better.

How Kids Play

Kids enjoy Emotion Charades because:

• They get to move around and be active
• Guessing makes it fun and a bit like a game
• Kids can take turns acting or guessing
• The game works for different ages

How It Helps with Feelings

Playing Emotion Charades is good for kids because:

Benefit	Description
Spot Feelings	Kids learn to see how people look when they feel different ways
Understand Others	By acting out feelings, kids learn how others might feel
Learn New Words	Kids hear and use more words about feelings
Feel Better	Acting and laughing can help kids relax

Easy to Set Up

Here's how to play Emotion Charades:

1. Make cards with feeling words or pictures
2. Split kids into small groups
3. One kid picks a card and acts out the feeling
4. Other kids try to guess the feeling
5. Take turns and talk about the feelings after each round

This game needs very little to start and can be played at home or school. It's a good way for grown-ups to help kids learn about feelings and how to deal with them.

7. Positive Affirmation Stones

Positive Affirmation Stones help kids feel good about themselves and think positively. This easy activity can be part of a child's daily routine to help them feel better.

How Kids Like It

Kids enjoy Positive Affirmation Stones because:

• They can pick their own stones and make them look nice
• The stones feel smooth and nice to touch
• The colorful stones remind them to think good thoughts
• They can carry the stones in their pockets or bags

How It Helps Kids Feel Better

Benefit	How It Helps
Makes kids feel good about themselves	Teaches kids to say nice things to themselves
Helps with worry	Gives kids comforting words when they feel stressed
Helps kids bounce back	Helps kids feel better after hard times
Makes kids happier	Using the stones often can help kids think more positively

How to Make and Use Them

Making and using Positive Affirmation Stones is easy:

1. Find smooth, flat stones outside or buy them at a craft store
2. Wash the stones and dry them
3. Paint the stones with bright colors or use markers
4. Write short, nice messages on each stone (like "I am brave" or "I can do it")
5. Put clear nail polish on the stones to protect the words
6. Tell kids to pick a stone each day and say the message to themselves

8. Worry Jar Activity

The Worry Jar Activity helps kids handle their fears and concerns. It's a simple way for children to deal with their worries by putting them in a jar.

How Kids Like It

Kids enjoy this activity because:

• They can make their own jar look nice
• They write or draw their worries on small papers
• They put their worries in the jar, which makes them feel better
• They can look at their worries later and talk about them

How It Helps Kids Feel Better

Benefit	How It Works
Less Worry	Putting worries in a jar can make them feel smaller
Better Talking	Kids learn to share what's bothering them
Know Themselves	Helps kids understand their feelings
Feel In Charge	Gives kids a way to handle their worries

Easy to Do

Here's how to start:

1. Get a clear jar
2. Give kids paper and things to write with
3. Tell kids how to use the jar
4. Pick times to add worries to the jar
5. Talk about the worries in the jar sometimes

Parents can easily make this part of what kids do every day or week. It's a good way to help kids talk about their feelings and learn to handle them.

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9. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt

A Gratitude Scavenger Hunt helps kids find good things in their lives. This fun game teaches children to look for and be happy about the positive parts of their day.

Why Kids Like It

Kids enjoy this activity because:

• It's like a treasure hunt
• They can play alone or with friends
• It can have different themes
• They get to move around and explore

How It Helps Kids Feel Better

Benefit	How It Works
Happier Outlook	Kids focus on good things
Less Worry	Thinking about good stuff helps forget worries
Better Mood	Finding things to be thankful for makes kids happier
Dealing with Problems	Being thankful helps kids handle tough times

Easy to Set Up

Here's how to start a Gratitude Scavenger Hunt:

1. Make a list of things for kids to find (like "something that makes you smile")

2. Give kids the list and tell them how to play

3. Set a time limit or area for the hunt

4. After the hunt, have kids share what they found and why they're thankful

This game works well for different ages and can be played at home or school. It's a good way to teach kids about being thankful and handling feelings.

10. Stress Ball Making

Making stress balls helps kids handle their feelings and feel less worried. Kids can make their own tool to help them feel better while doing a fun craft.

Why Kids Like It

Kids enjoy making stress balls because:

• They get to use their hands and be creative
• They can make the ball look how they want
• They can feel the ball right away
• They can make it alone or with friends

How It Helps Kids Feel Better

Benefit	How It Works
Less Stress	Squeezing the ball helps kids relax
Handle Feelings	Gives kids something to do when upset
Feel Proud	Making something useful makes kids feel good
Stay Calm	Focusing on the ball helps kids think about now

Easy to Do

Making a stress ball is simple:

1. Get things: balloons, flour, funnel, scissors
2. Put flour in the balloon using the funnel
3. Tie the balloon and cut off extra
4. Draw on the stress ball if you want

This activity is easy to set up and works for kids of different ages. It's good for home or school.

11. Music and Movement

Music and movement activities help kids handle their feelings and learn to cope. These fun activities let children move their bodies and listen to music, which can make them feel better.

Why Kids Like It

Kids enjoy music and movement because:

• It's fun to dance and move around
• They can listen to songs they like
• They can play with instruments
• They can do it alone or with friends

How It Helps Kids Feel Better

Benefit	How It Works
Less Stress	Moving and listening to music helps kids relax
Show Feelings	Dancing lets kids show how they feel without words
Better Mood	Happy music and dancing can make kids feel good
Control Feelings	Doing things with a beat helps kids manage their emotions

Easy to Do

Here's how to start music and movement activities:

1. Pick songs kids like
2. Make sure there's space to move safely
3. Show kids some dance moves or let them move how they want
4. Teach kids to breathe along with slow movements
5. Use simple instruments like drums for kids to play along

These activities work well at home, in class, or during therapy. They help kids learn to handle their feelings in a fun way.

12. Nature Walk and Grounding

Nature walks and grounding exercises help kids feel better and learn to handle stress. This activity mixes being outside with paying attention to what's around them.

Why Kids Like It

Kids enjoy nature walks because they can:

• See different plants and animals
• Touch things like leaves and rocks
• Hear birds and other nature sounds
• Smell different scents outside

Grounding makes kids focus on what they can see, hear, and feel right now.

How It Helps Kids Feel Better

Helps With	How It Works
Less Stress	Being in nature helps kids relax
Better Mood	Being outside can make kids feel happier
Better Focus	Nature walks can help kids pay attention
Knowing Themselves	Grounding helps kids understand their feelings

Easy to Do

Here's how to do a nature walk with grounding:

1. Find a safe place outside (like a park)
2. Tell kids what grounding means
3. During the walk, ask kids to:
   • Look for 5 things they can see
   • Touch 4 different things
   • Listen for 3 different sounds
   • Try to smell 2 things
   • Pay attention to 1 feeling in their body

This activity works for kids of different ages and can be done in many places outside.

13. Puppet Play Therapy

Puppet play therapy helps kids talk about their feelings and learn how to handle problems. Children use puppets to act out stories and situations, which helps them learn in a fun way.

Why Kids Like It

Kids enjoy puppet play therapy because:

• They can make up stories
• They get to play with different puppets
• They can pretend to be different people or animals
• It's fun to use their imagination

How It Helps Kids Feel Better

Benefit	How It Works
Talk about feelings	Kids can show how they feel through the puppets
Understand others	Playing different roles helps kids see how others think
Solve problems	Kids can try out ways to fix issues in their stories
Feel less worried	Playing with puppets can help kids relax

Easy to Do

Here's how to start puppet play therapy:

1. Get some puppets (hand puppets, finger puppets, or even sock puppets)
2. Find a quiet place to play
3. Show kids how to use the puppets
4. Start with easy stories and slowly try harder ones
5. Let the child lead the play and say what they want

Parents, teachers, or helpers can use this activity to help kids learn about feelings and how to deal with them.

14. Mindfulness Jar

A mindfulness jar, also called a calm-down jar or glitter jar, helps kids manage their feelings and practice being aware. Kids make a jar with glitter and water, which they can use to relax and think.

Why Kids Like It

Kids enjoy making and using mindfulness jars because:

• The swirling glitter looks nice
• They can make their own jar
• Shaking and watching the jar is fun and calming

How It Helps Kids Feel Better

Helps With	How It Works
Less stress	Watching glitter settle calms busy thoughts
Handling feelings	Jar shows how feelings can settle down
Better focus	Looking at the jar helps kids pay attention
Knowing themselves	Watching the jar helps kids think about how they feel

Easy to Make and Use

Here's how to make a mindfulness jar:

1. Get these things:

• Clear plastic or glass jar with a lid
• Warm water
• Glitter glue or loose glitter
• Food coloring (if you want)

2. Fill the jar 3/4 full with warm water

3. Add food coloring if you like

4. Put in glitter glue or loose glitter

5. Close the lid tight and shake to mix

To use the jar:

1. Shake it
2. Watch the glitter move and settle
3. Breathe slowly and think about how you feel

This simple tool can help kids feel calm and learn to handle their feelings better.

15. Positive Self-Talk Mirror Exercise

The Positive Self-Talk Mirror Exercise helps kids feel better about themselves and build confidence. In this activity, children say nice things about themselves while looking in a mirror.

Why Kids Like It

Kids enjoy this activity because:

• They get to talk to themselves in the mirror
• They can make funny faces while doing it
• They use colorful cards with nice messages
• They can write on the mirror with special markers

How It Helps Kids Feel Better

Helps With	How
Feeling good about themselves	Kids learn to say nice things about who they are
Being more sure of themselves	Saying good things makes kids feel stronger
Worrying less	Thinking about good things helps kids feel calmer
Handling tough times	Kids learn how to talk to themselves when things are hard

Doing this often helps kids think more positively and handle their feelings better.

Easy to Do

Here's how to start:

1. Find a mirror in a quiet place
2. Make a list of nice things to say
3. Show the child how to do it
4. Start with 1-2 minutes each day
5. As kids get used to it, they can say more things for longer

Parents can join in to help kids feel more comfortable and come up with personal nice things to say.

Conclusion

Teaching kids how to handle their feelings is very important for their future. These fun activities help children learn to deal with stress, control their emotions, and feel good about themselves.

One of the best ways to help kids learn these skills is by showing them how to do it. When grown-ups use good ways to handle stress, kids are more likely to copy them.

How Grown-Ups Can Help	What They Can Do
Show it's okay to manage stress	Say "I'm feeling stressed, so I'm going to take some deep breaths to calm down."
Talk about feelings	Tell kids "I'm going to take a bath to relax."
Show how to solve problems	Think out loud when fixing a problem
Help kids feel strong	Let kids know it's okay to feel stressed and do something about it

When parents and teachers use these ways to deal with stress, it helps kids learn to:

• Stay calm when things are hard
• Talk about how they feel
• Think of ways to fix problems
• Feel okay about having different feelings

FAQs

What games teach coping skills?

Here are some fun games that help kids learn how to handle tough feelings:

Game	How to Play	What Kids Learn
Coping Skills JENGA	- Stack blocks with coping skills written on them - Pull out blocks and talk about the skill	- Different ways to feel better - How to use coping skills
Coping Skills Cards	- Draw cards with coping skills - Act out or talk about the skill on the card	- Many ways to cope - How to use skills in real life
Coping Skills UNO	- Play UNO with coping skills on cards - When you play a card, explain the skill	- How to match feelings with coping skills - Quick thinking about coping

These games work well with 2-5 kids but can be played alone too. They make learning about feelings fun, especially how to deal with anger.

Playing these games can help kids:

• Learn new ways to feel better
• Practice talking about feelings
• Think quickly about how to handle tough situations
• Have fun while learning important skills