Place a small stuffed animal on your child’s belly as they lie down. Have them watch it rise and fall with deep breaths—turn it into a game to “rock the buddy to sleep.”

Play some music and let your child dance freely. When the music stops, they freeze and name the emotion they’re feeling at that moment.

Make a “calm jar” with glitter, water, and glue. Shake it up and watch the glitter settle and visualize calming down when feeling upset.

Take turns acting out different feelings (like happy, sad, surprised, angry) without using words. The other person guesses the emotion. Great for recognizing and naming emotions!

Choose a small snack (like a raisin or slice of apple) and explore it with all five senses—how does it look, feel, smell, taste, and even sound when bitten?

At bedtime, ask your child to name something they’re grateful for in each color of the rainbow (e.g., something red they love, something orange that made them smile, etc.).

Teach your child to stand tall with hands on hips like a superhero. This simple “power pose” can boost confidence and help manage anxiety before new experiences.

Create a “worry monster” out of a tissue box. Kids can write or draw their worries and “feed” them to the monster. It’s a playful way to externalize fears.

Set a goal to do 5 small acts of kindness during the day. Your child can count them down on their fingers, boosting empathy and awareness of others.

Lie down outside and watch the clouds drift by. Take turns imagining what shapes you see. This peaceful activity helps kids slow down, relax, and use their creativity.