We all have emotions, and sometimes they can be challenging to navigate. Now, imagine being a kid trying to understand these feelings. As parents, caregivers, educators, and therapists, it’s our responsibility to provide kids with tools that empower them to navigate these emotions in a healthy and positive way. Welcome to my guide on “Fun and Easy Coping Strategies for Kids” – a resource dedicated to equipping you with a treasure trove of creative and enjoyable coping skills that can help these little ones thrive.

This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. You can read my full disclaimer here.

Why Use Coping Skills for Children?

“But I Don’t Want to Take Deep Breaths!”

How many times have we heard that? Or this one?

“Deep breathing doesn’t work!”

Traditional coping techniques might not always resonate with young minds. That’s why I’ve curated a collection of coping skills for kids that turn learning about emotions and self-regulation into a fun adventure.

How to Teach Coping Skills to Kids

My biggest recommendation is to practice these coping strategies when the child is calm and regulated, making it fun. This approach will help reduce the amount of refusal you’ll hear. With consistent practice, using these coping skills will become more natural for them when they genuinely need it.

Let’s Dive into Some Effective Coping Skills for Kids

Bubble Breaks: A Fun Coping Skill

Bubble breaks are a favorite in my sessions. I often use them to teach kids about self-regulation and to help them recognize when they might be feeling a bit off-balance. Initially, I’d suggest when to take these breaks, but over time, many kids start to recognize on their own when they need one.

The activity is simple yet effective. Hand the child a bubble wand and encourage them to inhale, then blow out slowly through the wand, creating bubbles. This playful approach transforms the act of regulating one’s breathing into a fun game. For an added challenge, try to create the largest bubbles possible, which requires deeper and slower exhales.

A memorable moment with this technique involved a young client who expressed her skepticism about deep breathing, claiming it didn’t work for her. When I introduced the idea of a bubble break, she was initially hesitant. So, I posed a question, “Would it be okay if I took a bubble break?” As I began blowing bubbles, her curiosity was piqued, and she soon joined in. After a few minutes, I asked how she was feeling, to which she responded, “Calm.” The true testament to its effectiveness? At our next session, she eagerly requested another bubble break.

Rainbow Game: A Mindfulness Technique

This is a mindfulness technique to help the child get back in the present moment. It’s a fun game where you look around the room and name something you see of each color of the rainbow.

Belly Breathing:  A Coping Strategy for Kids

This one is fun. I lay down and put a stuffed animal or toy on my belly. Then I show the kid that when I inhale, the toy goes up because I’m filling my belly up with air. When I exhale, the toy goes down.

It’s a fun challenge for the kid because it feels different from regular breathing, and it’s also just fun for them to watch the toy or stuffed animal go up and down.

Birthday Cake Breaths: A Creative Coping Skill

Have them imagine it’s their birthday, and they’re blowing out the candles on their cake. Inhale deeply, then exhale slowly as if they’re blowing out the candles one by one.

You can do this one with different types of food. I like to pretend that I’m blowing off a pizza that’s too hot (because pizza is my favorite). Ask the kid what their favorite food is and tell them that they have to blow it because it needs to cool.

Calm Down Jar: A Relaxation Technique

This is a fun craft activity and there’s a book that you can read prior to the activity. Moody Cow Meditates shares a story about a kid who learns how to use a calm-down jar.

Once the jar or bottle is made, the kid takes deep breaths while watching the glitter fall down slowly. This provides an opportunity to just Slow Down.

Here’s a great recipe to make the jar or bottle.

Splat Balls: A Stress-Relief Toy

(I want to start with a disclaimer on this one. I’ve had some of these burst open and make a big mess, so use them with caution)

You throw the splat ball to help get the anger out. I know what some of you may be thinking. Isn’t that perpetuating the anger? It isn’t. This is an act of catharsis and it helps get the anger energy or anxiety energy out in a safe way.

Comfort Cave: A Safe Space for Kids

Create a safe, confined, and dimly lit place. Utilize an oversized box, a tent, blankets, pillows, a closet, or a Nugget to create this comfort area. Try these tents from Tiny Land for an extra cute and aesthetically pleasing tent!

The decreased amount of stimuli can naturally help your child become more calm. Have them add blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or fidgets to help add to the comfort. You can suggest that they go there or they can choose to go there when they’re feeling dysregulated.

Counting Breaths: Mindfulness and Breathing

Combine deep breathing with counting. Inhale for a count of three, hold for three and exhale for three. As they get more comfortable, they can try increasing the count.

Colorful Breaths: Turning Deep Breathing into a Vibrant Visual Adventure

Use colorful scarves or ribbons. Inhale deeply while lifting the scarf up, then exhale slowly while letting it fall. This adds a visual component to the breathing exercise. You can even try to keep the scarf up in the air by blowing on it.

Yoga Pretend Play: A Fun, Full Body Relaxation

Introduce simple yoga poses that incorporate deep breathing, like “tree pose.” Encourage them to take a deep breath while imagining they’re growing like a tree.

(I use the game YOGI. It has a variety of cards with yoga poses and I like to play the memory card game with them. When the child finds a match, they do the pose)

mindfulness

Five Senses Check-In: A Mindfulness Technique

Here’s another mindfulness technique.

Ask kids to name five things they can see, four things they can touch, three things they can hear, two things they can smell, and one thing they can taste. This helps them connect with their senses and the environment.

Teaching children to cope isn’t about eliminating challenges but about equipping them with the tools to face them with confidence. By blending coping techniques with imagination and play, we help children understand that emotions are a natural part of life. Together, let’s create environments where children can grow with resilience, understanding, and a playful spirit.

WANT MORE?

Sign Up for the Weekly Newsletter!

SIGN UP

Comment below and let me know what other fun coping strategies for kids you’ve tried.