Stress hacks aren’t just for us oldies. Sadly, with the pressure of school, social circles and family, our kids need to release the pressure from time to time too.
If you’re looking for some stress hacks that are kid friendly (or maybe something you’d like to try together) then this is the right place.
Below is a list of ideas to try, and just like every idea in the COPE Campaign, this isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ solution. You might find your kids react positively to the first thing you try, or you might find there’s some trial and error needed. Either way, just trying is acting as a distraction, so as long as they’re giving it a go they’re helping their mind.
Don’t forget, for mental health support I have a dedicated mental health and suicide prevention support page on this website filled with websites to try, online chats to connect with and phone numbers to dial. If you are at all concerned aboiut the mental well-being of yourself or a child you care for then try those organisations or, better still, speak to your GP or local NHS mental health service.
These stress hacks are short-term fixes, but the COPE Campaign page has information on Creative Coping Strategies that can be deployed long-term for more difficult periods, again, in line with official support from the NHS and other organisations.
Remember – if an activity requires supervision, you might find a golden opportunity for your child to open up, so while you’re supervising the fun, be sure to listen too.
| Title | Description | Star rating out of 5⭐ |
| 1. Talk to a grown up | Nothing relaxes conversation when it comes to fixing a sad or distressed mind. Talking to an adult will help, and they’ll advise you about where to go if they think you need more official support. Ask if you can make time with them regularly, and use these sessions as an opportunity to discuss anything on your mind. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 2. Learn grounding breathing | Several methods of mindful breathing techniques are out there. The 5, 4, 3, 2 method is a good place to start. Practice it regularly and use it whenever you feel overwhelmed or stressed. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3. Baking or cooking | We all know how wonderful and delicious a freshly baked loaf of bread or cupcake is. Kids like nothing more than creating something in the kitchen and then devouring the results! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4. Kindness | Paying it forward is a great way of promoting gratitude and children will quickly learn how rewarding random acts of kindness can be. The options here are endless, but some of my favourites were… – Sort through old toys and donate the ones you don’t need any more to good will = Write a warm letter to a distant relative or someone you know is in need – Offer to walk a dog for a friend or relative – Craft some goodies for an unwell friend – Invite a friend over to watch THEIR favourite film | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5. Ducks | Go to the nearest pond and feed the ducks | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 6. Sing | Listen to your favourite song, learn the words, and sing along | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 7. Pacing | Pace and plan your day so it’s less stressful. Think about fun things to do after the chores are completed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 8. THUMB WAR! | Have a thumb war contest | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 9. Magazine fun | Grab an old magazine and complete the crossword / word search | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 10. Indoor camping | Make a tent indoors and enjoy a night away from your normal bed. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 11. Journal | Start a journal and write down how you’re feeling. Use it as a place to let feelings go, but if that doesn’t help or you feel something is overwhelming you, make sure you speak to someone | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 12. Self love | Practice self love by writing a list of things you like about yourself and keeping it close by. Add to it regularly and if you can’t find an answer, ask someone you love what they like about you and make a start to the list with their ideas. Read it whenever you feel low. remind yourself of how amazing you are! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 13. Create a family tree | Over time, add more people with the help of those who know you, and pop it somewhere where you can view it. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 14. Write a poem | Poems don’t have to rhyme, so this isn’t as daunting as it might sound. Write the poem about someone or something you love. Keep it positive. Use the time to relax. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 15. Line drawing | This is so much harder than it sounds, and it takes concentration which can remove any intimidating thoughts you’ve been having. Grab a pen and paper and draw something, anything, with only ONE line. That means you can’t lift your pen off the paper, not even once, to create this special single line drawing. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 16. Fidget | Distract yourself with a fidget toy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 17. Look up! | Look at the clouds and see if you can find any objects, faces and animals in their shapes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
It’s hard to review these ideas against each other when they are all simple and useful and their efficacy will vary from person to person. For me, the best ideas are the cheapest and simplest to deploy, and that’s usually what my star rating is based on.
Remember, if you are looking for hacks aimed at adults then the adults only stress hacks page is available, as well as a sleep hacks page for those struggling to get a proper nights rest.
*You must not rely on the information on this website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition you should seek immediate medical attention. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website.
Creative Steph 