Get In The Zone With 32 Zones Of Regulation Activities For Kids

The Zones of Regulation is a curriculum developed by Leah Kuypers that is designed to help students recognize where their emotions are in relation to four categories – red, blue, green, and yellow zones. This approach helps students with their emotional control, sensory regulation, and behavior choices. Don’t know where to start? We’re here to help, so read on to learn how to get in the zone with these 32 zones of regulation activities for kids!

1. Inside Out Meets The Zones

This video provides a helpful introduction to the four regulation zones by using a cast of characters already familiar to your students from the popular movie, Inside Out. This video is sure to get them ready to regulate their emotions! 

Learn More: YouTube

2. Co-create an Anchor Chart

Involve your whole class in creating this Zones of Regulation anchor chart. Engage them in filling the color-coded zones with various descriptive words that highlight the theme of each emotional response. Once complete, invite your kiddos to work together to brainstorm strategies that they can use to manage the emotions displayed under each zone. 

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3. The Incredibles Dinner

Your little ones who need some visual support will love diving into the various zones experienced by the characters of The Incredibles over the course of their dinner! This video clip is genius in fitting in every zone and they’ll love the video so much they’ll want to watch it again.

Learn More: YouTube

4. Zones Of Regulation Charades

This one will cast the spotlight on the Zones of Regulation! Invite your little actors to perform various emotions and have their classmates guess which zone is represented by their feelings. This one is a great movement break as well as an opportunity to see how well they’re getting the concept!

Learn More: YouTube

5. Strategies For Regulation Sort

After you teach your kiddies about the zones, have them sort the strategies on these printable cards. Ask, “Which strategy would you use when you’re in the blue zone or the red zone?” This is one of the best and easiest classroom tools for getting your kids to think about self-regulation!

Learn More: Zones Of Regulation Strategy Sort

6. What Zone Are You In?

Sometimes coming together as a class is the best way to work on identifying the zones! You can use this printable in small groups or consider printing it on a large poster paper for another great visual for your students to reference! 

Learn More: What Zone Are You In?

7. Strategy Toolbox

A real-life connection will surely be helpful for your younger learners. Start by bringing in an actual toolbox to show how different tools can help build a self-regulation practice. Next, have them personalize their own toolbox after they’ve learned different strategies to regulate their emotions. 

Learn More: Wisconsin School Counselor Association

8. Identifying Triggers

You are probably pretty aware of your own triggers and it’s important to teach your students their warning signs. Understanding that triggers may push them into a different zone is an awareness that they can use now and in the future. 

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

9. Zones Of Regulation Uno

Who doesn’t love a fun game of Uno? This is a non-threatening and enjoyable way to reinforce your kiddos’ understanding of the Zones of Regulation. It’s a pretty easy setup – just have them match the cards by color and number to learn about the characteristics of each zone!

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10. Clothespin Check-In

This system gives you a glance at how your little ones are feeling when they walk into your classroom in the morning. Just have them put a clothespin in their current zone and be sure to check in on your red-zone friends to help them with strategies so they’re ready to learn!

Learn More: Pinterest

11. Goal-Setting Zones 

Invite your children to set a goal at the beginning of class to help them reach the green zone – the optimal zone for learning! Make sure that they self-assess at the end of class, too. This process will help increase their self-awareness and give them ownership over their learning.

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

12. My Zone Check-In Sheet

This tool is perfect for your students who might need a regular check-in at different parts of the day. This will help you track how they’re feeling about their various subjects and it will go a long way in helping them make smooth transitions between classes! 

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

13. Big Problem Or Small Problem?

This one might be helpful for all of us! Teach your kiddos that the size of their reaction should match the size of their problem. Often, little problems can seem overwhelming, but this strategy will help them stop and think about the reality of their situation from a more objective place. 

Learn More: Cold Spring Elementary School

14. Infinity Breathing

Infinity breathing is great for helping your littles manage increasingly escalated emotions that might occur in the yellow zone. It’s also a great way for them to use their fine motor skills and mindful breathing skills at the same time. And how zen is this poster?

Learn More: Infinity Breath Poster

15. Calm Down Yoga

Yoga is a powerful tool that can help regulate emotions in the yellow zone and maintain emotions in the green zone. Your kiddies will also love to incorporate a little movement into their self-regulation toolbox by doing yoga!

Learn More: YouTube

16. Progressive Muscle Relaxation

This strategy is great for helping your children relieve tension and develop mindfulness. Try the PMR approach out yourself before teaching it to them and you’ll have a firsthand sense of the benefits this practice can provide! 

Learn More: YouTube

17. Calm Down Corner 

Making a peaceful or calming space in your classroom is helpful for teaching your kids when they might need to take a little break. Use this strategy to help them tune in to their emotions so they’ll know when it might be time to make their way to that special little corner.

Learn More: Differentiated Teaching

18. Self-Regulation Desk Name Plates 

This interactive nameplate will help your little ones self-assess in real time without leaving their seats! Pair it with a small guide of coping tools to support them in choosing the right strategies to regulate their emotions. How handy!

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers 

19. Zones Of Regulation Song

Play a little jingle to help your students remember the Zones of Regulation! They’ll love dancing and singing along to better understand the different color-coded zones. Play this video again and again and they’ll start to connect their own emotions to the zones! 

Learn More: YouTube

20. Fingerprint Faces

To pique your little artists’ interest, try this activity that has them making feeling faces on their own fingerprints! They’ll enjoy this hands-on experience and can use their finished masterpiece as a personal chart of how their feelings show up in the different zones! 

Learn More: Fun Hand Print Art Blog

21. M&M Zones Game

Using candy for any activity will certainly get your kiddos excited! Have each one grab an M&M from a bag and share a time when they felt the corresponding emotion. For your older students, have them connect the emotion to a zone and talk about a strategy to regulate that feeling! 

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22. Face Feelings

This blog shows the process of teaching your little learners about the zones and then provides you with a super fun activity! They’ll engage in a hands-on exploration of emotions by creating different facial expressions with glass beads, yarn, manipulatives, or whatever else you have on hand!

Learn More: Wonder-Full Inquiry

23. Emotion Scavenger Hunt

This activity will get your kiddies up and moving! Have each one start by choosing an emoji from a jar and then have them show that emotion through body language and facial expressions. Their classmates will try to figure out the feeling and check it off their sheets. This is sure to be a hit!

Learn More: Mosswood Connections

24. Zones Of Regulation Charts

Mood check-ins are an excellent way to ensure that you’re meeting your students’ individual social-emotional needs. These desk-sized feeling charts are a great sensory tool that allows them to track fluctuations in their moods with a bead, signaling to classmates or their teacher when they need help.

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25. Body Mapping Emotions

An important self-regulation skill for your kids to develop is identifying the external signs and internal body sensations associated with different emotions. Labeling a photograph or illustration will prepare them to read their own and others’ body language and facial expressions.

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

26. Deep Breathing With Bubbles

Making bubbles is the perfect way to practice deep breathing with your little ones! Take them outside to blow bubbles while encouraging them to breathe deeply and slowly. They’ll learn that when intense emotions do arise, they can remember and use this coping strategy! 

Learn More: Love Laughter And Learning

27. Sensory Jars

Sensory bottles are another self-regulation tool that your children will love! Create these jars together to reflect the different zones and then encourage them to breathe deeply while watching the glitter settle. This functions as a self-regulation activity when students are feeling strong emotions and need to take a break.

Learn More: New Journey On

28. Little Spot Series

This series uses “Spots” to represent what are sure to be your kiddos’ different feelings! Each Spot has a unique story to tell, and the author uses these to teach about emotional regulation along the way. Have them draw their own ‘spot’ that shows what a feeling looks like in their bodies!

Learn More: Diane Alber

29. Social Stories

Social stories are a proactive intervention for your students who struggle with impulse control, forming healthy relationships, and other behaviors. There’s a social story to go with almost any classroom situation from following everyday routines to dealing with extreme feelings. Send them home for a little extra practice! 

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30. Breathe, Think, Do

Breathe, Think, Do is a fun app from the makers of Sesame Street that has interactive activities like problem-solving, deep breathing, and sharing affirmations. They may think they’re just playing, but your little ones will actually be adding self-regulation strategies to their toolboxes! 

Learn More: Sesame Street

31. Silly To Calm Brain Break

In “Silly to Calm,” your kids will first move in goofy ways and then quickly “reset” to calm with a yoga pose. Mindfulness activities like this one help train their brains to take a pause and are particularly helpful for your students who have difficulty with impulse control!

Learn More: YouTube

32. Feelings Jar

Creating a clear visual is a great way to help your children see that the size of their reaction should match the size of their problem. When they experience intense feelings, they can show how much of it they’re experiencing with the number of pom poms in the jar! 

Learn More: Mosswood Connections