A vital but often overlooked tool in helping children learn to effectively manage their emotions is teaching healthy coping skills. Parents can help their children learn these skills through role-modeling, encouragement, positive reinforcement, and verbal praise. It is never too early to start. This DIY coping skills box is a fun and simple way to help children learn and implement coping skills into their routine. This can help reduce temper tantrums, lessen anxiety and sadness, and boost self-esteem. It can also pave the way for self-care techniques they can take with them into adulthood.
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One of the greatest things about this DIY coping skills box is that it can be completely customized to fit each child’s individual needs and preferences. Even older adolescents and teens may enjoy creating their own unique coping skills box. All it takes is a few supplies and some imagination.
Supplies
Tutorial
The tutorial for this DIY coping skills box is meant to be a guide but all rules can be thrown out the window. The main objective is to have fun, be creative, and allow the child to create something that they love. Putting effort and their own unique spin on it means it is more likely to be used! To get started, you will need a box or container of some kind. I found this cheap cardboard box at Walmart for less than $1 per box. They are currently sold out online, but may be available in store. You can also find these bundles online, which could be perfect for school counselors, therapists, or teachers. Otherwise, check in store, craft stores, or around the house.
Next, paint and decorate! It really is that simple. I prefer to paint with acrylic paint because it covers the cardboard so well, dries quickly, (which is important when working with children with short attention spans), and cleans up easily. For decorating, I love using these sticky stencils. Since they stick straight to the cardboard, you don’t have to mess with taping or the paint bleeding through the lines as can happen with regular non-stick stencils (see photo below). Other ideas for decorating can include printing out pretty pictures, quotes, or positive self-affirmations, or sticking on jewels or stickers.
Once the box has been created and dried, the next fun part comes in deciding what to include inside. Because this is a coping skills box, all items should be usable coping skills. Therefore, the contents will depend on the age of the child and which coping skills are effective for him or her. The options are endless.
Here are a few ideas to get started:
- Free printable coping skills cards
- Bubbles (for distraction and deep breathing)
- Small pad of paper and pen (to write or rip up shreds of paper)
- Free printable mandalas
- Small coloring book and colored pencils
- Fidget spinner
- Journal
- Pictures of family or friends
- Bubble wrap (cut into small pieces, for distraction or anger management)
- Playdoh
- Fidgets or tangles
- Activity books
- Small puzzle
You can also create some DIY coping skills projects to add to the box:
It’s important that children understand the objective of the coping skills box and are encouraged to use it when needed. Have any other ideas for what to include inside of a DIY coping skills box? Help someone else out by leaving your ideas in the comments below!
Kell | All Mum Said says
This is such a great idea! Thank you for sharing.
Christina says
Thank you, I’m glad you found it useful!
Ash Sears says
I know this was meant for kids, but I think even adults can have benefit from something like this. I know I would!
Christina says
I agree with you! I know I had a lot of fun making mine! 🙂
mindyvoet says
What a cool idea! I’m sure it would keep kids busy too while giving them a place to go at times.
Christina says
Absolutely, and distraction in itself can be a coping skill at times as well.
Kasey says
I had never heard of this before but it’s such a great idea!
Christina says
Thank you so much, Kasey!
TeeShares says
Wow, this can help anybody, not just kids. I’ve just learnt something I’m excited to try on someone. Thanks for such a great post!
Christina says
Thanks so much and I agree, it could be really helpful for adults as well!
Mica says
I love this idea – I think even adults need something like this sometimes – even if it’s not a physical box, the idea of being able to take time out and go get something to help you cope with stress is a valuable one for people of any age to have!
I like that you can get your kid involved with decorating the box too 🙂
Christina says
Thanks Mica and I agree completely! I think self-care and coping skills are forgotten a lot of times, even with adults, when they really should be a priority.
Ada Karolina says
This is amazing! I love DIY stuff in my house. I love photos so I always try make some cool designs wth them to hang around the house! Your box is great !
Christina says
Thank you and that sounds very cool!
thatguywithstories says
Didn’t know that there are actual products that teach kids life skills! Wow, am I surprised at reading this? Yes, I am. Are you an affiliate marketer, Christina? If yes, then I would love to learn these skills from you.
Christina says
There are so many out there that can be applied to help kids even if that wasn’t the original intention. For example, I work as a children’s therapist and sometimes use the children’s game, Chutes and Ladders, to help teach kids about natural consequences, both positive and negative. That way they’re learning but still interested because they are having fun!
Marian Mitchell says
This is such a great idea. I’m always looking for ways to help my kids learn internal healthy coping skills. This is a really great idea. Thank you!
Christina says
Thanks so much, I am glad you found it helpful!
girlgonelondon says
This is an incredible idea — I could have used one back in the day! Thanks for sharing!
Christina says
Thank you and I agree, I wish I had one when I was younger!
itsahero says
This is such a fantastic idea. I suffer from anxiety, and this would totally help!
Christina says
Thank you, I definitely think it could help and I’m so glad you found it useful!
kristal says
Such a good idea. I would have loved this after I had my big lost. I will go ahead and make this now it would be so useful.
Christina says
I’m so glad you found it helpful! <3
Bailey says
Such a pretty box! You really thought of every possible item to include inside.
Christina says
Thank you! I’m always looking for new ideas, it would be nice to have a big list so people can not only find what works for them, but switch items around too when needed.
Tyla Milian says
Excellent post. I made a coping kit for myself once (a list of phone numbers to call if I need help, heart-warming photographs, self-help articles, journal, pen) but yours is way better. And making them with your child? The cherry on the sundae. I made sure to share this on Pinterest.
Christina says
Hi Tyla, I love the idea of adding a list of phone numbers to call! That made me think how nice it would be to also add letters of encouragement or saved cards from loved ones as well. You have some great ideas, thanks so much for sharing!
Naomi says
‘Love this idea! I’m also going to include a “feelings chart” in the box. I’ve found having a laminated “Today I feel” chart on a students’s desk is helpful to them to pinpoint what feelings they’re dealing with. I’ve got pictures of children’s faces to velcro onto the chart and the student himself changes it during the day, as needed. It’s a good visual to help them self regulate and to see where they are and where they want to go. Thanks again for a super idea!
littleslifeandlaughter says
I love that idea! That’s a really great point, too. A lot of times kids may have difficulty expressing their feelings and emotions because they struggle to identify what they are. Thanks so much for sharing!