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100 Helpful Coping Skills for Kids: Ideas to Try
Kids cope best when they have several choices and a chance to practice them during calm moments. These 100 ideas offer ways to settle the body, express feelings, seek support, and take a manageable next step. A caregiver can help a child pick two or three favorites to try first.
Physical cues can help kids notice that a difficult feeling is beginning to ease. Practice a breathing or movement skill together for one minute before asking your child to use it during a stressful moment. Blow pretend bubbles; 3. Smell a flower, then blow out a candle; 4. Count slow breaths; 5. Stretch your arms; 6. Roll your shoulders; 7. Squeeze and release your fists; 8. Take a short walk; 9. Dance to one song; 10. Do wall push-ups; 11.
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Drawing, writing, and pretend play give children a way to express feelings they cannot yet explain. Keep paper and washable supplies within reach so expressing a feeling is an easy option, not another task. Name the feeling; 22. Rate its size from one to five; 23. Draw the feeling; 24. Choose a color for it; 25. Write in a journal; 26. Make a feelings collage; 27. Build with blocks; 30. Tell a story; 31. Make up a song; 32.
Support from a trusted person can make a problem feel less overwhelming. Help your child identify two adults they can approach at home or school, then practice a simple way to ask for help. Ask for a hug; 42. Sit beside someone; 43. Talk to a caregiver; 44. Tell a teacher; 45. Call a relative; 46. Play with a friend; 47. Ask for help; 48. Ask someone to listen; 49. Share a drawing; 50.
Grounding skills shift attention toward things a child can observe right now. Offer a few options and let your child choose; a skill is more useful when it feels comfortable to them. Name five things you see; 62. Notice four things you feel; 63. Listen for three sounds; 64. Identify two smells; 65. Notice one taste; 66. Count blue objects; 67. Describe a favorite place; 68. Look at a plant; 70.
Once a child feels steadier, a small action can restore a sense of control. For more low-pressure ideas to do together, explore these creative calm-time activities for kids . Break a task into steps; 82. Do the first step; 83. Make a short plan; 84. Use a timer; 85. Take a screen break; 86. Get a snack; 87. Pack your bag early; 88. Tidy one small area; 89. Choose between two options; 90.
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The 100 skills above cover calming the body, expressing feelings, connecting with others, grounding attention, and taking small steps. Effectiveness depends on the child and the situation, so practice a few options and notice which ones help.
For a shorter list, start with skills 1–20 for calming the body, 21–40 for expressing feelings, and 41–50 for seeking connection. That gives kids 50 healthy options without requiring them to learn all 100 at once.
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