Anxiety-relieving Games, Toys, and Literature: 14 Fun and Engaging Methods to Aid an Anxious Child
How to Help Children Cope with Anxiety through Fun, Engaging Resources
Parents and caregivers seeking ways to assist anxious children may find solace in a range of fun, interactive resources, such as anxiety-focused toys, books, and games.
Exploring Anxiety Aids for Kids
- "Worry Monsters" - A popular toy allowing children to write or draw their worries, slip them into the creature's zipper mouth, and effective stress relief.
- Fidget Toys: These tactile distractions can help reduce stress levels, particularly in children and adults. For educators curious about fidget toy implementation in the classroom, resources like Fidget Toys in the Classroom are available.
- Anxiety-Specific Games and Activities - While specific anxiety games may be limited, general "coping skills" games can accommodate anxiety management, such as daily affirmation exercises, drawing and coloring activities, or card games like "52 Essential Coping Skills" for older kids (12 years and up).
Expanded Options for Anxiety Relief
For younger kids, books like "Don't Feed the Worrybug" and "Please Explain Anxiety to Me" offer age-appropriate insights into managing worries. All-age books, such as "All Birds Have Anxiety" and "When My Worries Get Too Big," tackle the subject with humor and practical therapeutic techniques.
Parents, teachers, and therapists looking for further support can utilize books like "The Anxiety and Worry Workbook for Kids," offering guided exercises to help children control their anxiety.
In addition to these resources, consider creative journaling, calming music playlists, and structured coping skills workbooks for children to practice healthy coping mechanisms. These tools not only help children develop effective coping strategies but also foster a positive approach to managing anxiety.
- "Mental Health Matters" Magazine - This magazine focuses on children's mental health, offering articles, advice, and tips on improving mental well-being, suitable for both parents and children, providing insights into personal growth and self-development.
- "Pet Therapy" - Incorporating pets, particularly dogs or cats, into the home environment can alleviate stress and provide comfort for anxious children, helping to improve overall well-being.
- "Travel Adventures" - Planning fun and engaging trips can create positive experiences for anxious children, promoting relaxation, exploration, and connection with new surroundings, making travel an exciting therapeutic tool for improving relationships and mental health.
- "Career Development Resources" - Encouraging children to explore career aspirations can foster a sense of control and purpose, reducing anxiety and promoting personal growth. Sites like Kids.gov offer career-related activities and resources for children as young as five.
- "Lifestyle Resources" - Incorporating a healthy lifestyle can further aid in anxiety management. These resources may include guides on food-and-drink choices for mental wellness, fashion-and-beauty products that promote relaxation, home-and-garden tips for creating a calming environment, and skills-training programs for time management, communication, and problem-solving, all essential components for job-search success and long-term career development.
