A huge free printable list of 100 calm down strategies for kids. These are simple strategies kids can use to calm down when angry, upset, frustrated, or overwhelmed. The free printable makes an excellent addition to a homemade calm down kit as well.
My son needs a lot of help self-regulating some days so we are constantly introducing him to new calm down techniques
We already make use of our visual calm down cards and the various DIY sensory hacks that I have made for him, but we still haven't pinpointed the exact sensory calming strategies that work best for him on a regular basis. Some days certain calm down strategies work, but fail to help the next day.
Thankfully this list of 100 calming strategies for kids is massive, so we certainly have lots of strategies left to try!
100 Simple Ways to Calm an Angry Child
This list of calm down techniques for kids covers a wide range of sensory inputs, from oral motor to proprioceptive. So whether you kid finds chewing calming or being squished calming, there is something for everyone on this list! They're perfect for home or school. No need to wonder how to calm down a kid when you have this huge list of sensory calming strategies for children handy!
- Blow bubbles
- Chew gum
- Chew on a chewy toy, necklace, or bracelet (see: DIY Chewelry Ideas & Best Chew Necklaces for Kids)
- Complete a puzzle
- Use a fidget
- Use a weighted lap cushion or weighted stuffed animal (see: 13 DIY Weighted Blanket Tutorials)
- Wear a weighted vest or pressure vest (see: 10 DIY Weighted Vest Tutorials)
- Stretch and fidget with a stretchy resistance band (see: Homemade Stretchy Resistance Bands Tutorial)
- Crawl through a sensory tunnel (see: Homemade Sensory Tunnel)
- Wear noise reducing ear muffs
- Suck on hard candies
- Diffuse essential oils such as lavender (see: Essential Oils for Autism)
- Use Rescue Remedy spray
- Listen to music
- Listen to audiobooks
- Do some yoga
- Lay or bounce on a ball
- Sing the ABCs forwards or backwards
- Build with blocks or LEGO
- Go for a run
- Swing (see: Homemade Sensory Swings)
- Pet a cat or dog
- Draw with chalk
- Go for a walk
- Go to a quiet place
- Paint a picture
- Do a maze, dot to dot, or word search
- Read a book
- Count slowly forwards or backwards
- Ask for a hug
- Take a drink of water
- Wrap up in a blanket (weighted or not)
- Invert head or hang upside down
- Close your eyes
- Hum or sing a song
- Do some deep breathing
- Go for a bike ride
- Draw a picture
- Play hopscotch (mix it up with Rocket Hopscotch)
- Jump on a trampoline (see: Trampoline Safety Hack)
- Climb a tree
- Play an instrument and make music
- Do a heavy work activity (see: 50 Heavy Work Activities for Kids)
- Use a calm down bottle
- Do animal walks
- Dance
- Skip
- Do a cartwheel
- Take a bubble bath
- Drink a smoothie through a straw
- Make silly faces in a mirror
- Drink a warm beverage
- Look at an hourglass, lava lamp, or aquarium
- Rip tissue paper (see: Tissue Paper Sensory Bin)
- Bend and twist pipe cleaners
- Have a snack
- Pop bubble wrap
- Play with play dough, slime, or silly putty
- Look at a photo album
- Blow a pinwheel
- Squeeze a stress ball (see: DIY Pokemon Stress Balls)
- Tightly hug or squeeze a pillow or toy
- Wear an eye mask
- Listen to nature sounds
- Spin a top
- Use a mini massager
- Climb into a body sock
- Make a craft
- Play a one player board game (we love Rush Hour for this!)
- Rub some scented lotion on
- Wear sunglasses
- Light a scented candle
- Journal
- Color a picture in a coloring book
- Play with shadow puppets
- Blow a feather
- Blow a pom pom around using a straw
- Take a bath with Epsom salts
- Ask for a break
- Push against a wall
- Play with a sensory bin (see: List of 130+ Sensory Bin Fillers)
- Crash into a crash pad (see: DIY No Sew Crash Mat Tutorial)
- Take a shower
- Suck on ice
- Do some joint compressions
- Brush hair and/or skin
- Blow bubbles in a cup of water
- Smell scratch and sniff stickers
- Turn off the lights
- Read with a flashlight
- Play I spy (check out our massive collection of I Spy Printables)
- Braid your hair
- Climb a ladder or rock wall
- Use positive affirmations
- Hug someone
- Doodle on paper, whiteboard, or similar
- Use visual calm down cards or posters (see: Free Printable Visual Calm Down Cards)
- Stretch
- Play with a pet
- Trace your hands with your finger
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