All children will experience feelings of anxiety in their lives, and it will present itself in a variety of ways. Therefore, it is crucial that parents, teachers, and other caregivers be able to recognize and respond to the effects of childhood anxiety.
When childhood anxiety symptoms are recognized, adults can develop plans and provide tools to help the child face it and work through it in a healthy and calming manner. This article provides 20 activities that can assist adults as they help children learn to cope with their anxiety.
1. Glitter Calm Down Jars
The calming glitter jar is terrific for children with anxiety, and they are super easy to make. All you need to create these calming beauties is some chunky glitter, a glass jar or bottle, fine glitter without clumps, glitter glue, warm water, and a little soap.
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2. Worry Hearts
Similar to a Worry Stone, Worry Hearts are a great tool to help children deal with anxiety, especially separation anxiety. As you fill the bag with hearts, kiss each one, so your child will feel your love even when you are not close. Your child can hold the bag or an individual heart when they are feeling nervous or anxious.
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3. Calm Stones – DIY Calming Tool
These cute Calm Stones are an amazing tool for calming anxiety in children. These stones are very easy to make and can be placed in different areas of the home or classroom or bundled together for traveling. Creating the stones is even a calming activity in itself.
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4. DIY Photo Book
Create this simple DIY photo book to help your child manage separation anxiety. Children often battle with anxiety when they are away from their families. Therefore, consider creating a photo book to calm them when you are separated from one another.
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5. Anti-Anxiety Kit
Creating a calm down kit will help anxiety sufferers. Children with anxiety can manage their anxiety by having a kit customized to their needs. Add items that soothe and calm your child. This box of tools will work wonders for an anxious child during challenging moments.
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6. Starry Night Sensory Bag
Sensory bags are a terrific form of sensory play that will allow children to interact with the chaotic world around them in a safe, yet stimulating manner. These sensory bags are extremely easy and inexpensive to make and are perfect for a child with anxiety.
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7. Bubble Blowing
There are many mindful breathing exercises that your child can perform and use as a tool to control anxiety no matter where they are at the time. Using bubbles for breathing is a wonderful exercise that can teach them appropriate breathing techniques to use during a difficult time of anxiety.
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8. Worry Monster
These cute and creative monsters love worries! The more worries you give away to them, the happier they become! This worry can craft is simple to make and is very useful in alleviating stress and reducing anxiety among young children.
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9. Mindful Breathing Stick
These mindful breathing sticks are extremely helpful when one wishes to feel calm and relaxed. Taking a deep breath in and out is a great coping tool. The benefit of breathing is a more relaxed self. Use these sticks inhaling and exhaling as you slide the beads.
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10. Worry Says What?
Many children deal with worry and anxiety. Worry Says What? is a terrific children’s book that describes worry and provides effective and meaningful coping strategies that children can practice to calm themselves. This book is great for a discussion about anxiety!
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11. Worry Doll Craft
Worrying is a form of anxiety that many children face. Worry Dolls can relieve the anxiety children encounter. The Worry Doll originated in Guatemala and is believed to have the power to eliminate worries. Help your children create this cute craft today!
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12. Sleep Anxiety – Help Your Child Fall Asleep Better
Children need sleep; however, anxiety at night is a very common problem. This resource provides some excellent tips for easing sleep anxiety in children as well as their fear at night. Make sure you make your child’s sleeping space a safe and calm environment, stick to a consistent bedtime routine, listen to your child, find sleep aides, and empower your child to self-soothe.
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13. Task Boxes
Use task boxes to lower anxiety levels in children. Place task cards in a plastic container and encourage your children to learn coping strategies such as positive self-talk, deep breathing skills, and much, much more.
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14. Worry Journals
Journal writing is a helpful tool for children learning to cope with the effects of anxiety. These free journal pages are perfect for 6 and 7 year-olds, and they allow students to thrive and live their best lives in a world filled with worry and anxiety.
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15. Worry Tear Up
Tear up your worries with this anxiety coping tool. Students will write one of their worries on a piece of paper and then tear it up and throw it in the trash. This cute exercise encourages children to visualize the word, detach it, and throw it in the trash.
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16. Apps for Anxiety
This amazing resource offers 10 suggestions for apps that can help your child cope with anxiety. Technology is a terrific modern source that offers new anxiety solutions. Most children have access to devices. Teach your child about the usage of each of these apps, and they will have them at their fingertips during difficult moments.
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17. Weighted Teddy Bear
Emotional regulation is challenging for lots of younger children due to the fact that their pre-frontal cortex is still developing. Therefore, a weighted teddy bear can be a terrific resource for nighttime cuddling, holding to focus at school, or helping regulate overwhelming emotions during sensory meltdowns. Purchasing a weighted stuffed animal can be expensive, but you can easily make your very own.
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18. Noise-Canceling Headphones
If you have an anxious child that struggles with loud noises, you should consider purchasing a set of noise-canceling headphones. These are a great addition to your child’s calm-down toolbox. They are perfect for blocking out overwhelming sounds.
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19. Thoughts and Feelings: Sentence Completion Card Game
Anxiety activities and games provide great support for teachers, parents, and mental health professionals. This card game uses a variety of characters to assist kids as they process, identify, and work through many issues, including fears and anxiety.
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20. My Many Colored Feelings
We often put colors with emotions. This craft allows children to explore emotions through art. Follow the instructions provided with this resource, grab some colored markers or crayons, and some construction paper, and allow your children to color their feelings.
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