I’m a child therapist, and here are tools I use with the kids I work with! These are all things that are great to use with kids at home as well.
Sections
4
Mindfulness & Emotional Regulation
Fidgets & Toys
Books & Workbooks
Regulation Helpers
Mindfulness & Emotional Regulation
This is SOO GOOD for helping children learn emotional regulation. Includes lots of tools to help kids calm down and manage their feelings, and it includes scripts for teaching these to children.
Team Supercrew SOS Kit – 83 Cards for Kids 2-8+
I use these regularly with kids in sessions! There are so many great cards in here focusing on different types of regulation (mindfulness, breathing, kinetic, etc.)
Mindful Kids | Ages 4+ | Card Deck
This is a fun way for kids to express how they are feeling! I use this at the beginning of almost every session with kids.
Learning Resources Big Feelings Pineapple Set
It’s UNO…but with conversation starters and questions about anger and emotional regulation! I love using this game with kids who are working on anger control.
Mad Dragon - Anger Control Card Game for Kids
I know these say “for adults” but they have been favorites of so many kids that I work with! Great for emotional regulation and calming down, or for coloring alongside kids while they talk.
Mini Coloring Books -Pocket-Sized Fun for Adults
Might seem weird but I actually LOVE this as a therapeutic tool for working on perspective-taking, emotional identification, and flexible thinking in a fun and low-pressure way!
Ask Alotl Party Game | Goliath
Fidgets & Toys
The kids I work with LOVE these!
Crags Magnetic Putty
These Needoh cats are some of my favorite little squishy stress balls!
Schylling NeeDoh Teenie Cool Cat Squeeze Toy
I swear, every kid who comes to my office says that this is their favorite fidget! I’ve had to forward this link to so many parents because the kids wanted one of their own.
Infinity Cube Fidget Toy for Anxiety Relief
This magnetic putty is SO COOL and such a great fidget for kids!
Crags Magnetic Putty
Another favorite gel stress ball!
Gump Memory Gel Stress Ball
These are such great squishy stress balls (cubes)!
Schylling NeeDoh Nice Cube Sensory Toy
This kit has some really cool regulation uses for kids! It could be a part of a calm-down corner.
Wind Play Lab
I love these for calm-down corners and regulation tool boxes. These are super popular with kids when they are in session also!
XINBAOHONG Liquid Motion Bubbler 3-Pack Timer
My favorite putty! Less messy than slime but perfect for fidgety fingers.
Thinking Putty
I’ve had a few kids who are OBSESSED with origami and these look adorable!
Paper Desk Pets
Some parents hate slime and that’s OK, but a lot of my kids find making slime to be really regulating!
Galaxy Slime Kit for Kids 8-12 with Glow Stickers & Glitter
Books & Workbooks
I love all of her books, and this is probably the one I’ve used most commonly with kids. Can be great in combination with therapy or as a workbook at home!
What to Do When You Worry Too Much, 2nd Ed
I love this book series! All of the individual workbooks are great, but this is one I’ve used with multiple clients. It includes lots of interactive exercises that kids really connect with.
What to Do When Your Temper Flares: Kid's Guide
This is a great book for helping kids deal with grief! One of my go-tos.
The Invisible String by Karst & Lew-Vriethoff
This is a very cool guided journal for kids! It has 12 strengths-based chapters that each include breathing exercises, stories, coloring pages, and interactive exercises.
Planet Dreamers: Award-Winning Growth Mindset Journal for Kids to Discover Their Superpowers, Develop a Positive Mindset, Boost Confidence, and Embrace Positivity (Ages 6–12), 300 Thoughtful Pages of Prompts to Inspire Growth, Resilience, and Happiness - TikTok Shop | Black Friday Sale TikTok Shop
I’ve recommended this book to a few parents with kids who needed help with friendships and setting boundaries in friendships.
The Not-So-Friendly Friend: Setting Boundaries
I love this book and its approaches to parenting!
No-Drama Discipline: Whole-Brain Way to Calm
If you haven’t read this, PLEASE DO! Such a get eat framework for understanding and helping kiddos.
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Strategies to Nurture
A great book for older kids about anxiety!
Hey Warrior: Young, Karen: 9780648488804
This workbook is amazing for working with kids who have OCD!
What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck: Kid's Guide to OCD
Regulation Helpers
This is one of the highest-rated weighted blankets out there! An investment for sure but they are sturdy and hold up well.
Weighted Blanket for Kids - Nappling
A great option for a nontoxic room spray that uses lavender to help kids (and adults!) calm down.
room spray-NEW orange and lavender
Just an extra helper for calming kids down at bedtime!
Kids Bedtime Pillow Spray, Lavender & Chamomile
Another great option for young kids who need some help calming down!
Sloth Warmies
Could be great for kids who don’t necessarily need or want a weighted blanket, but just need something with a little weight to help them calm down.
Weighted Sloth
Quite a few of my sensory-seeking kids have really benefited from these chewable necklaces!
Chew Necklace
Another (affordable) weighted blanket I’ve had recommended to me!
