Wondering how to help kids calm down when they feel anxious or overly active? Fortunately there are lots of calming strategies that really do work, but the trick is knowing which ones work specifically for your child. Below are the 8 best kids calming ideas. They vary in the nature and way they calm kids so that some should appeal to every child.
Joint Compressions– Provide gentle input at the joints to calm the body down
Calming Cookie Dough– Roll out the “cookie dough” (child) with a “rolling pin” (therapy ball) to provide deep pressure input to calm the body down
DIY Calming Strategies – Learn several discrete strategies that can be done by yourself seated at a desk or seat without any equipment or adult assistance
Social Stories- Learn how to give your child a “game plan” to help them prepare for an anxiety- provoking event
Create a Calm Space- Make a safe haven for your child to get away from being on sensory overload
Calming Cozy Cocoon– Roll your child up tightly to provide proprioceptive input to calm the body and reassure feelings of body awareness and security
Calming Yoga– Try these calming yoga poses to calm the body down
Make a Calming “Tool Box”- There are lots of calming tools and equipment you can get that can jump start the calming process. You may want to try these items:
Snug Bug Pressure Blanket-An alternative to a weighted blanket that provides deep pressure to help with calming down. $70.00. Click on picture to purchase
Pressure Vest- Provides deep pressure and promotes feelings of calm, body awareness, and security for kids $53.99. Click on picture to purchase
Pressure Swing- Tight fitting material combined with swinging motions facilitates the calming response- 69.70. Click on picture to purchase
Body Sock- Tight fitting material provides resistance against the body which facilitates feelings of calmness, body awareness, and security- $40.99. Click on picture to purchase
Body Sock- Tight fitting material provides resistance against the body which facilitates feelings of calmness, body awareness, and security- $40.99. Click on picture to purchase
Because each child is different, each child will have different ways of calming down. Try these activities with your child to see which ones work best and then take some time to relax together!
Note- Sometimes, children who have certain diagnoses can benefit from professional medical treatment in conjunction with these calming strategies that can be used by parents. There’s a service that provides convenient psychiatric services online that may be a beneficial option for you.