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more tips!

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5 count breathing

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Calm down poster!

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Calm down corner example!

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Calm down corner example!

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Calm Down Kit Items

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Do you need calm down kit ideas? Or have you been wondering how to make a calm down box for kids, but don't know where to start? This printable list of 40+ things to put in a calm down kit is the ideal starting point!

Every child should learn coping skills.

And every child can benefit from having their own homemade calm down kit, filled with calming tools and things that suit their needs and interests.

I've always tried my best to teach my kids emotional regulation strategies such as deep breathing exercises, talking about emotions, and doing meditation as a family.

It is my hope that they'll feel confident managing anxiety, stress, and sensory overwhelm because they've practiced these different strategies. And having a tailor-made calm down box is another one of the strategies we use to promote healthy self-regulation skills.

So if you've been wondering how to make a calm down kit for your own kids, then look no further than this free printable list of 40+ things to put in their kit.

While this list is geared towards smaller children, I also have a list geared specifically towards older kids.

What to Include in a Calm Down Kit for Kids

There are lots of different things that you can include in a calm down kit and obviously, you will want to tailor it to your child(ren). Here are 40+ things you can put in a calm down kit for anxious kids:

1. Free printable visual calm down strategies cards

2. Bottle of bubbles

3. Chew toy or chew necklace

4. Small puzzle

5. Fidgets such as Tangle Jr. or puffer ball

6. Weighted lap cushion or stuffed animal - You can find some great DIY ideas under tip #10 here.

7. Weighted vest or pressure vest

8. Stretchy resistance bands

9. Sensory tunnel

10. Hearing protection ear muffs or noise canceling headphones

11. Chewing gum, hard candies, or lollipops - We love Pur natural chewing gum and Spry natural chewing gum!

12. Calming essential oil spray

13. Rescue remedy - I swear by this stuff! Seems to instantly calm meltdowns!

14. MP3 player with music and/or audiobooks - Be sure to include headphones and an accompanying book for the audiobook so they can read along while listening.

15. Book of yoga poses or printable yoga cards

16. Blank notebook and a writing utensil (crayons, pencil crayons, markers, or similar)

17. Sensory bottle or calm down jar - I love this post about 6 ways to make a calm down jar from Preschool Inspirations.

18. Skipping rope - Try our DIY skipping rope that's made from straws!

19. Visual stims such as a kaleidoscope or an hourglass

20. Books to read

21. Activity books: dot to dots, mazes, word searches, I Spy, etc. - Or print off a bunch of our I Spy printables and include them in your calm down kit!

22. Stress balls

23. Play dough or silly putty

24. Photo album filled with photos of family and friends

25. Small blanket

26. Bubble wrap

27. Pinwheels - To encourage deep breathing and blowing out.

28. Rubik's cube

29. Small chalk board and chalk, Magna-Doodle, Etch-a-Sketch, or Boogie Board for doodling and drawing

30. Eye mask

31. Tissue paper to rip - Fill a zipper seal bag with tissue paper. Kids can rip what they need.

32. Light up toys, flashlight, or similar

33. Plastic snow globe - Acts like a calm down or sensory bottle and makes for a great visual stim.

34. Snacks with a variety of textures like crunchy (pretzels or nuts), chewy (fruit leather or dried fruit), or soft (marshmallows)

35. Pipe cleaners to twist and bend

36. Coloring books

37. Scarves or fabric scraps

38. Spinning top

39. Mini massager

40. Scratch and sniff stickers

41. Whistle, harmonica, party blowers, or similar small wind instrument - To encourage kids to breath out. Also, making music is a great way to release a variety of emotions.

42. Small mirror for making silly faces and exploring emotions

43. Straws and pom poms or cotton balls - A great oral motor idea to encourage deep breaths.

44. Body sock - Kids can retreat into a body sock for calming proprioceptive sensory input. Since they fold up relatively small, they make a great addition to a calm down kit.

45. Smelling bottles - Just fill bottles with calming scents, such as lavender.

46. Scratch art doodle pad

47. Social stories dedicated to deep breathing, calming strategies, chewing, or loud noises

Other Great Calm Down Tools for Anxious Kids

Here are some items that you might want to have accessible to your child during their calm down time. I even encourage you to create or designate an entire space to be your child's calm down corner and include these items in it.

1. Wiggle/balance cushion - Great for sitting on, walking on, balancing, on, etc.

2. Weighted blanket

3. Large cardboard box, fort, or ball pit - Kids will love retreating to these quiet places, but using a ball pit also provides lots of calming proprioceptive input.

4. Exercise ball - Perfect for bouncing or balancing on.

5. Mini trampoline - Great for kids who love to jump as a way to calm down.

Download the Free Printable Calm Down Kit List

This Canadian muggle might be a no-laugher (despite her energy vampire husband's jokesies), but Dyan's a fierce advocate for her two boys and passionate about all things hyperlexia and autism.

She's an avid book reader, lifelong learner, and former piano teacher. She likes Toad as her Mario Kart driver and prefers to listen to audiobooks and podcasts at 2.8x speed. Her idea of a perfect lunch is nachos. You can frequently catch her saying, "It's Dyan, not Dylan. There's no L."

She has a B.A.H. in Psychology, an ATCL diploma in Recital for Solo Piano, an RCM Grade 10 Piano certificate, and an RCM History & Theory: Intermediate certificate.

Connect with Dyan on: Instagram - Pinterest - Facebook - Threads or Join The Hyperlexia Hub community!

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download the free printable

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40+ Things to Put in a Calm Down Kit for Kids {Free Printable}

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How to make a calm down kit or box for kids plus a free printable list of calming tools and things to put in your child's kit

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Ms. Himelstein's Room

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Glitter Bottle and Stress Ball

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Teaching kids to self-regulate with a calm down kit

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Calm Corner Video

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How To Calm Students: The Calm Corner | Teacher Tip Tuesday #1