Coping Skills Cards for Kids, 40 Printable Calm Down Strategy Cards with Pictures, Calm Corner, SEL

40 printable coping skills cards for kids, each with a clear picture and a few simple words. Children can look through the cards, try the ideas and choose what helps them calm down.

Many parents, teachers, counselors and therapists use cards like these at home, in the classroom and in a calm corner, including with children with autism or ADHD.

WHAT YOU GET

• 40 coping skills cards, 2.4 x 3.3 inches (6 x 8.4 cm), 9 cards on a page

• 4 blank cards to draw your own ideas, and 1 title card

• My Calm Choices board with 4 card spaces

• What Helps Me? sorting mat ("This helps me" and "Not for me right now")

• 2 PDF files, 7 pages each: US Letter and A4. The wording is the same in both files.

• 1 printing guide (PDF)

THE 40 CARDS, IN 4 COLOR-CODED GROUPS

• Breathe and rest (8): deep breaths, sit quietly, close my eyes, quiet corner, rest, take a break, watch the fish, look out the window

• Create and play (12): draw, paint, read a book, do a puzzle, build with blocks, squeeze play dough, play music, quiet play, play in the sand, write it down, play a game, play with my toys

• Move and reset (14): drink water, wash my face, go outside, go for a walk, warm bath, wait, ride my bike, go to the playground, kick a ball, go for a swim, have a snack, take a shower, have a big stretch, help in the garden

• Connect (6): hug a teddy, ask for a hug, ask for help, talk about it, listen to a story, think of people who love me

HOW TO USE

Step 1: Print at 100% scale on card stock and cut along the light gray lines.

Step 2: Laminate the cards if you like. Punch a hole in one corner and keep them on a ring, or store them in a small box.

Step 3: Look through the cards together when your child is calm. Try a few and sort them on the What Helps Me? mat.

Step 4: Put 4 favorites on the My Calm Choices board. When feelings are big, offer the board and let your child choose.

PLEASE NOTE

• This is a digital download. No physical item will be shipped.

• The files are PDFs and are not editable. Use the blank cards to add your own ideas.

• Some cards need a grown-up (bath, swim, bike). Remove any card that does not suit your home or classroom.

• Colors may look slightly different depending on your screen and printer.

• This is a support tool, not medical or therapeutic advice.

• The illustrations were created by me with the help of AI image tools, then selected, checked one by one and laid out for print by hand.

TERMS OF USE

For personal, classroom and therapy use. You may print as many copies as you need for your own home, class or clients. Files may not be resold, shared or redistributed.

If there is any problem with your files, send me a message and I will fix it for you. This does not affect your rights under consumer law.