One of my favorite things to use in the school counseling world with kids are games! Almost any game can be used to work on different emotional skills, depending on how you apply the lesson! I have used these games individually and in group settings.
Here are some of my favorite games to play with kids for emotional regulation:
*This post contains affiliate links.
Jenga is great for emotional regulation because it helps children slow down and focus closely on carefully pulling out one block at a time. It can help build confidence as well as resiliency skills. One of the things you can talk about is is how to bounce back from the frustration of making the tower fall when you pull a block.
“That’s alright! Let’s build it again!”
This game is adorable and sure to please! Players take turns stacking “treats” on top of Pug’s nose and click his foot until he pops up and either eats them or doesn’t! If Pug eats them, the players get to keep their color chips/treats as points. This game will help lighten the mood for kids and also teach them patience and acceptance if Pug doesn’t eat the treats!
“Let’s feed Pug again!”
This game is worth the mention simply because it’s a favorite among my students! This game helps kids connect, laugh and deal with frustration at times. It can also be used to talk about emotions. For example, if a student plays a red card, they can say something that makes them angry, blue-something that makes them sad, green-something that makes them happy, and yellow-something that makes them worry. You can also ask them to state a coping skill they can use for each emotion on another round.
This game is great for helping kids talk about their feelings and times when they have experienced those emotions. It helps them reframe their thinking when situations arise that are tricky!
Playing games with kids is a great way to help release stress, laugh, and learn coping skills along the way! I hope you will find these useful within your counseling program and/or with your children!
What creative ideas!!!
I appreciate all your insight for helping children and parents.