A calm down kit is a fantastic tool for easing big emotions for all ages. What you put in your calm down kit is ultimately your choice, and I have some suggestions for you to get started!
When to use
Calm down kits are perfect for encouraging you to calm down from a big emotion. This could be anger, sadness, panic, sensory overload, or anything else that feels like it’s too much to handle in the moment.
What I like about calm down kits is their accessibility, ease, and positivity. Everything in your kit represents something that you enjoy, find soothing, or are fond of. What I LOVE about calm down kits is they’re tailor made for you – how cool is that?!
What to include
Since the overall goal of a calm down kit is to soothe yourself, your kit should contain the things that you find soothing. Start with your senses. What feels good to touch, smell, look at, and hear? Download the free printable for a handy list while you create!
- Fidgets – These small toys provide tactile stimulation and are great for keeping hands busy!
- Weighted blanket
- Weighted stuffed animals
- Body sock
- Slime
- Play-Doh
- Theraputty
- Bubble wrap
- Therapy brush – Great tools for deep massage and sensory regulation
- Soft blanket
- Stress balls
- Massager
- Heated blanket
- Eye mask
- Pressure vest
- Pipe cleaners – For fidgety hands and for soft touch!
- Fabric scraps or scarves – Also for fidgety hands and soft touch!
- Find it games – These games are great! They typically have a lot of beads or rice inside with some tiny shapes or toys to look for. You can even make your own!
- Puzzles
- Cards
- Question cards – You can create your own or purchase them.
- Word searches
- Books
- I Spy games
- Affirmation cards – You can create your own or purchase them.
- Etch A Sketch
- Blank notepads
- Coloring books
- Crosswords
- Mazes
- Rubik’s cube
- Brain quest cards
- Mini chalk and chalkboard
- Cat’s cradle
- Calming music
- Headphones – Noise cancelling works well.
- Noise machine
- Audiobooks
- Nature sounds
- Whistle
- Harmonica
- Drawing
- Legos
- Tissue paper for tearing
- Spinning top
- Balance cushion
- Cardboard box
- Sensory tunnel
- Small mirror
- Essential oils (adults only)
- Rescue remedy
- Scented candles
- Scratch and sniff stickers
- Deep breathing printout
- Yoga cards
- Emotion cards
- Pinwheel
- Chewelry – Usually necklaces or bracelets designed for chewing.
- Chewing gum
- Hard candy
- Crunchy snacks
- Gummy snacks
- Punching bag
- Jump rope
- Hand weights – No more than a couple pounds
- Resistance bands
- Exercise ball
- Mini trampoline
- Calm down bottles
- Bubbles
- Kaleidoscope
- Lava lamp
- Sunglasses
- Hourglass
- Photo album
- Snow globe
Download the free printable list
Grab a copy of this free printable list. Then take it with you when you go shopping so that you can easily build a calm down kit of your own!
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