Emotional Regulation for Kids: Activities and Games

Helping children understand and manage their emotions is one of the most powerful tools you can give them. It's not just about stopping tantrums or calming fears. It's about teaching kids to recognize what they feel, why they feel it, and what they can do about it. This is called emotional regulation, and it's a skill every child can learn.

In this blog, we’ll explore creative ways to teach emotional regulation for kids using fun activities, easy games, and practical strategies. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or therapist, or working with ABA therapy for preschoolers, you’ll find tools to support the children in your life.

What Is Emotional Regulation?

Emotional regulation means being able to control your emotions. It doesn’t mean hiding them or pretending they’re not there. It means noticing them, naming them, and knowing what to do next.

For kids, this might look like:

• Taking deep breaths when they’re angry

• Asking for help when they’re overwhelmed

• Talking about what they feel instead of acting out

Some kids learn this easily. Others need a little extra help. And that’s okay. With support like early intervention ABA, children can build these skills step by step and learn to manage big feelings in healthier ways.

Why It Matters

Emotional regulation for kids helps them:

• Build better friendships

• Handle stress in healthy ways

• Focus more in school

• Grow up with stronger child mental health

When kids don’t have these tools, they may struggle with outbursts, anxiety, or even depression. Over time, that can affect their confidence and relationships.

Early support can make all the difference. In fact, many experts believe that early intervention ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) can help build these important skills in younger children, especially those who show signs of emotional or behavioral challenges.

Signs a Child Might Need Help

Some children show clear signs that they need support with emotional regulation. Look for these:

• Frequent meltdowns or angry outbursts

• Trouble calming down after getting upset

• Hitting, yelling, or throwing things during frustration

• Avoiding school or social situations

• Sleep problems or frequent worry

In some cases, these may point to mood disorders in children, and it’s best to speak with a mental health professional.

Even if your child just needs a little support, there are many emotional regulation activities for kids that can make a big difference. Let’s explore those next.

1. Breathing Buddies

Have the child lie down with a small stuffed animal on their belly. Ask them to breathe in slowly and watch the toy rise, then breathe out and watch it fall. Do this for one or two minutes.

This helps kids become aware of their breath—a great way to calm big feelings.

2. Feelings Check-In

Start the day with a simple question: “What are you feeling right now?” Use a chart with faces showing different emotions—happy, sad, angry, tired, excited, etc. Let the child point to or name what matches their mood.

This builds emotional vocabulary and helps kids learn to identify their emotions before they spiral.

3. Calm-Down Jars

Fill a jar with water, glitter, and glue. When a child gets upset, they can shake it and watch the glitter slowly settle. Tell them: “Your mind is like this jar. When you’re upset, everything feels messy. But if you wait, things calm down.”

It’s a simple but powerful emotional regulation strategy for kids.

4. Role-Play Scenarios

Use dolls, puppets, or just act out situations together. What should the puppet do if it feels nervous before school? Or angry when someone takes their toy?

Kids love this, and it gives you a chance to teach healthy reactions through play.

5. The “Zones of Regulation” Game

Create color zones:

• Red = angry, out of control

• Yellow = nervous, wiggly

• Green = calm, happy

• Blue = tired, sad

Ask your child what zone they’re in. Then, brainstorm what helps them move to green.

This is one of the best emotional regulation games for kids because it’s visual and easy to understand.

6. Emotion Charades

Write down feelings on slips of paper like “excited,” “bored,” “scared,” or “proud.” Take turns acting them out while others guess.

This helps children recognize feelings in others, important for empathy and emotional awareness.

7. Use Stories and Books

Books are a gentle way to talk about emotions. Find stories where characters deal with feelings like anger, sadness, or fear. Pause and ask: “What is the character feeling? What would you do?”

This works well for understanding teen behavior, too. Older kids may connect more with stories and characters than with direct questions.

8. Emotion Wheel Walk

Draw or print an emotion wheel and place it on the wall or floor. Each slice has a feeling and a movement.

• Happy = hop

• Angry = stomp

• Sad = slow walk

• Excited = spin

Kids move through the wheel and talk about a time they felt each emotion. Movement helps release energy and keeps them engaged.

9. DIY “Coping Toolbox”

Let your child build a coping toolbox. It can be a shoebox filled with things that help them calm down. Ideas include:

• Stress ball

• Fidget toy

• Journal

• Favorite book

• Photos

• Scented lotion

Let them use it when they need a break.

10. Emotional Regulation Worksheets for Kids

Worksheets can help children process emotions when they’re calm. Use ones that:

• Ask them to draw or write what they feel

• Help them match emotions to events

• List the ping tools they can try

At Pillar5, we believe emotional regulation worksheets for kids should be simple, visual, and engaging. Worksheets don’t replace play, but they support reflection.

11. “I Can” Cards

Make a set of cards with helpful actions kids can take when they feel upset. Examples:

• “I can take deep breaths.”

• “I can go to my quiet corner.”

• “I can talk to an adult.”

Keep them handy. When your child is upset, let them choose a card. This builds confidence in their coping skills.

12. Movement Breaks

Sometimes kids act out because they just need to move. Build short movement breaks into their day:

• Dance to a song

• Do jumping jacks

• Go outside for a walk

Physical activity helps reset emotions and improve focus. It’s especially helpful for kids in ABA therapy for preschoolers, who learn best through play and movement.

13. Emotion Sculpting

Give your child modeling clay and ask them to make faces showing different emotions. You can model one and ask them to guess it, or ask them to show what “nervous” or “grumpy” looks like.

This hands-on play builds awareness of facial expressions and feelings.

14. Draw the Feeling

Ask your child to draw what their anger looks like. Or their worry. Or their happiness. Then ask questions like:

• What color is it?

• Where do you feel it in your body?

• What helps it shrink?

Art is a safe space for expressing tough feelings.

15. Build a Calm Corner

Set up a cozy corner at home or school with soft pillows, books, toys, and tools from their coping box. Make it a judgment-free zone.

Kids can go there when they feel overwhelmed. Over time, this teaches them to regulate emotions on their own.

The Power of Play and Practice

Every child is different. What works for one may not work for another. That’s why it’s so helpful to have a mix of emotional regulation games for kids, worksheets, and calming tools.

Consistency is key. Practice these strategies when your child is calm. That way, they can use them when they really need them.

And remember, even small wins count. A child who used to scream may now take a deep breath. That’s progress.

Final Thoughts

Helping your child learn to manage their emotions takes time, patience, and love. But the results are worth it. Strong emotional skills lead to better behavior, stronger relationships, and improved child mental health.

At Pillar5 Care, we believe in giving every child the tools they need to thrive at home, at school, and in life.

Looking for support?

If you're looking for a reliable service that offers compassionate, expert guidance on emotional development, visit Pillar5. We offer personalized support for families, including behavior therapy, parent coaching, and developmental programs. Let’s build a brighter future, together.

FAQs

1. What is emotional regulation in children?

Emotional regulation is a child’s ability to understand, manage, and healthily respond to their emotions. It helps them stay calm, express themselves clearly, and handle everyday challenges.

2. At what age should kids start learning emotional regulation?

Children can begin learning emotional regulation as early as age 2 or 3. Simple strategies like naming feelings and using breathing exercises can start during the preschool years.

3. What are some effective emotional regulation activities for kids?

Some effective activities include deep breathing with a stuffed animal, feelings charts, calm-down jars, and role-playing. These help kids recognize emotions and choose better ways to respond.

4. How do emotional regulation worksheets for kids help?

Worksheets guide kids in identifying their feelings, thinking about what caused them, and picking ways to cope. They support reflection and build emotional vocabulary in a fun, simple format.

5. Can emotional regulation games for kids improve behavior?

Yes. Games like emotion charades or the Zones of Regulation make learning emotional skills fun. Kids stay engaged and are more likely to use those skills in real-life situations.

6. When should I seek professional help for my child?

If your child often has extreme outbursts, struggles to calm down, or shows signs of anxiety or sadness that don’t go away, it’s a good idea to talk to a professional. Early support can prevent long-term challenges.