10 Anger Management Activities for Children (Plus a Free Printable)

10 Anger Management Activities for Children (Plus a Free Printable) Post Preview: Help children work through anger and calm their minds and bodies with these anger management activities. There is a free printable you can grab at the very end of this post titled “10 Anger Management Activities for Children.”

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Do your kids have a hard time controlling their anger? Are you looking for engaging, creative activities to help them learn to manage their anger in a healthy way? Look no further! These activity ideas will keep your children entertained and help them learn how to manage their emotions. Best of all, they’re simple and easy to do!

Your child’s anger can interfere with school, home life, and relationships. It can lead to problems we take too personally or become emotional about. We want our children to succeed, but what is normal behavior at one moment can become problematic when it persists month after month. Yes, there are times when some anger is warranted, but it becomes a problem when children dwell on the anger, can’t let go of it, or lash out in uncontrolled rages.

When we think about children and anger, what usually comes to mind are those who seem to have tantrums all the time. But even children who don’t throw tantrums can have a difficult time dealing with their anger. Some may bottle it up inside until they explode, while others may take their frustration out on themselves or those around them.

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Related Reading: 15 Calming Activities for Children (Includes a Free Printable Page)

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Anger management activities for kids: How to help Children deal with their anger

One of the best ways to help kids deal with their anger is to teach them appropriate ways to express it. One way to do this is through art. Drawing, painting, and sculpting can be great outlets for kids to express their anger without harming themselves or others. Creativity has endless benefits, but when it comes to anger management, it can also help kids learn how to better deal with their emotions.

Another great way to help kids manage their anger is through physical activity. Exercise is a great way to release pent-up energy and frustration. It also helps improve mood and reduces stress. Taking a break from whatever is causing your child’s anger to go for a walk, run, or bike ride can work wonders.

Finally, it’s important to talk to your kids about their anger. Help them understand what anger is and why it happens. Brainstorm ways to deal with it constructively. And most importantly, let them know that you’re there for them and that you’ll help them through whatever they’re going through.

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Special Note about a Free Printable: This whole post is filled with many ideas, so be sure to check it out. However, if you really just want the bullet points on a printable, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the 10 Anger Management Activities for Children free printable. (No opt-in required.)

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Anger management activities for kids

If you’re a parent, it’s important to help your child learn how to deal with their anger in positive ways. If your child is having trouble managing their anger, here are some fun activity ideas that can help.

1) Have a Friendly pillow fight

One fun and easy way to do this is by having a pillow fight! This one is sure to be a hit with the kids. Just make sure to supervise closely so that no one gets hurt! This should be a friendly pillow fight, not an angry one.

Here are five reasons why having a pillow fight is an excellent anger management activity for children.

• It’s a great way to release pent-up energy and frustration.
• It helps improve mood and reduces stress.
• It’s a fun and playful activity that can help kids forget about what’s making them angry.
• It teaches children to manage their anger in a safe and supportive environment.
• It’s sure to produce some laughs!

2) Play tag (Or Another Physical Activity or sport)

Playing tag is another great way for kids to release their anger in a healthy way.

Why play tag?

For anger management, it can be a fun and helpful way for children to work out their frustrations. It provides a healthy way for them to expend energy and helps improve their physical fitness. As a bonus, tag teaches important social skills, including taking turns, cooperation, and good sportsmanship. So next time your child is feeling angry or frustrated, try playing some tag! You may be surprised at how well it works.

3) Draw or paint

One fun and creative activity that can help children express their anger in a positive way is to have them draw or paint.

Here are four reasons why drawing or painting can be an effective way for children to manage their anger:

• Drawing or painting can allow children to express what they’re feeling without having to say anything out loud. This can be helpful because sometimes kids don’t feel comfortable talking about their feelings, especially if they’re angry.
• Drawing or painting can help kids release tension and frustration. This is especially true if they take some time to create a piece of art that reflects their current feelings.
• The act of creating something can be therapeutic and help kids forget about what’s making them angry, improving mood and reducing stress.
• Drawing or painting can be a fun and creative outlet for kids to explore their emotions. It’s also a great way to bond with your child if you take the time to do it together.

Check out the Coloring Pages Section of Real Life at Home

Read More: Outdoor Splatter Painting for Kids

4) Give your child a “stress ball” to Squeeze

Stress balls are effective for helping children release their anger in a safe and non-destructive way. When children are feeling angry, they can squeeze the stress ball as hard as they want to help relieve their frustration. In addition, using a stress ball can also help improve hand strength and coordination.

These NeeDoh Cubes are an extremely popular option!

You can also consider making slime or homemade playdough as alternate options to a stress ball.

Kids love slime, and for good reason – it’s fun to play with! But there’s more to slime than just being a fun kids’ toy. Slime can also be a great way to help kids calm down and relax.

Making slime is a sensory activity that can help kids focus and de-stress. Mixing and kneading the slime can be therapeutic, and kids love how satisfying it is to watch the slime come together.

Homemade playdough is another wonderful option if you don’t want to make slime! Here is a recipe for fall-scented homemade playdough.

Sensory bottles are also excellent projects to enjoy.

5) Have a dance party

A dance party is a great way to help children vent their anger in a more productive way. Not only will your child get some much-needed physical activity, but they’ll also be able to let off some steam by dancing their frustrations away. Here are a few tips for throwing an anger management dance party that both you and your child will enjoy.

Choose the right music. You want music that is upbeat and has a good beat that everyone can dance to. Avoid songs with heavy messages or lyrics that might upset your child.

Give yourself some room. Invite other family members or friends to join in on the fun and make sure you have plenty of space to get your groove on.

Set some ground rules. Before starting the party, take a few minutes to explain what the expectations are. For example, you might want to emphasize that everyone should dance in a safe and friendly way. This will help ensure that no one gets hurt and that everyone has a good time.

Let loose and have fun! Remember, the whole point of this activity is for your child to let off some steam and have fun. So don’t be afraid to get silly and join in on the dancing yourself!

6) Practice deep breathing exercises

When we’re angry, our heart rate and blood pressure increase, which can lead to feeling even more frustrated and stressed.

One way to help counteract this is to have your child practice some deep breathing exercises. This can help slow down their heart rate and calm their mind, making it easier to think clearly and focus on problem-solving.

A perfect companion to deep breathing is yoga or other gentle movement activities. Yoga or other activities with gentle movements can help children understand and control their breathing.

Yoga or other activities with gentle movements can help kids with anger and anxiety in a few ways. First, it teaches them how to focus and be in the present moment. This is important because children who are angry and anxious tend to worry about things that have happened in the past or may happen in the future. If they can learn to focus on the present moment, they will be less likely to worry about things out of their control.

Yoga or other activities with gentle movements can be a great way to get kids moving and active. Children who are anxious sometimes have a lot of energy they need to burn off. Yoga is a great way to do this, and it’s also a low-impact exercise that is safe for kids.

Some gentle movement activities to check out:

• The Best Calming Movement Activities for Kids – The Inspired Treehouse
• Mindfulness for Kids: 12 Calming Exercises to Teach Your Child – Connecticut Children’s
• 25 Fun Mindfulness Activities for Children & Teens – Positive Psychology

7) Play some calm, relaxing music

Music can have a powerful effect on our mood and emotions. That’s why playing some calming, relaxing music can be a great way to help your child manage their anger. The right kind of music can help reduce stress and anxiety, while also promoting feelings of peace and well-being.

8) Take a “time out”

Sometimes, the best way to deal with anger is to simply take a break from the situation. This is especially true for kids, who often don’t have the emotional maturity or coping skills to deal with their anger in the moment.

A “time out” gives your child a chance to calm down and collect themselves, so they can approach the situation in a more rational way.

A great “time out” spot is sometimes outside. Being in nature has been shown to have a calming effect on people, and there are plenty of reasons why:

• Nature provides a sense of peace and stillness that can be hard to find in our busy lives.
• The fresh air and natural light help to boost Vitamin D levels, which can improve moods.
• Exercising outdoors can provide an outlet for stress and increase energy levels.
• Being surrounded by plants can improve focus and creativity.

Sometimes just getting out of the house can make all the difference, so head to a nearby park or your backyard for a picnic lunch. Enjoying some fresh air and time in nature can help kids (and adults!) feel more relaxed.

Read More: Printables and Activities for Nature Studies and Time Outdoors

9) Talk about your feelings

It’s important for kids to know that it’s okay to feel angry. However, it’s also important for them to learn to express their anger. That’s why talking about feelings is such an important part of anger management. When kids have a safe place to share their thoughts and feelings, it can help them better understand what they’re going through. It can also help them learn how to better deal with their anger.

Managing anger can be difficult, especially for children. However, by providing them with healthy ways to express their anger and helping them understand what triggers their anger, you can help them learn how to deal with their emotions. These fun activity ideas should help get you started on helping your child manage their anger in a healthy way.

A tip if you are the person that a child with anger and anxiety has sought out to talk with about their concerns: Ask the child if they want you to help come up with suggestions for solutions or if they just want you to listen. Sometimes, it’s helpful if someone can come up with solutions for your problems, and other times, you just want someone to listen. Children work the same way!

10) Offer a Hug or Physical Closeness

Physical contact can be calming for some people. Sometimes it helps to feel loved and cared for. For other people, a hug offers the type of sensory input they need to feel calm. For children (and adults) who seek hugs specifically for sensory stimulation to help with calming, a firm hug is usually most effective.

When your child is anxious or angry, let them know they can definitely ask for a hug if that makes them feel better.

Bonus: Ask What Would Help Plus Do More Than One of These Activities

A lot of these methods work well together, so there’s no need to just stop with one of them. Some children may feel calmer with one method, while another child may respond better to something else. Empower children to recognize what makes them feel calmer and less angry and to advocate for themselves and their needs.

It can be a good idea to ask your child for ideas of what might help them when they’re angry at a time when they are not angry. Sometimes they can provide tips on what will help them feel better, so be sure to ask.

Anger can be difficult for children to deal with, but there are many ways to learn to cope with it. These 10+ anger management activities are a great place to start. Each one of them can help kids to relax and feel better. Try out a few and see which ones work best for your child.

What have been some of your favorite activities to do with your child when they’re feeling angry?

10 Anger Management Activities for Children Free Printable

If you have enjoyed this post, you can grab a free printable of 10 Anger Management Activities for Children. This can be a great resource to post at your house, classroom, or send home with your students.

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