Simple, playful coping stations can help kids (and parents) calm down, reset, and find balance when life feels overwhelming.
If your kids come home from school totally wound up, snapping at you, bouncing off the walls, not listening, or struggling to fall asleep you’re not alone. It’s all part of being a kid… but sometimes it feels like a bit too much, right?
One way to help them (and yourself!) is to give them tools to calm down on their own. I recently came across a term in Christina Reese’s book: she calls them “coping stations.”
You probably already have half of the ingredients lying around your house. The trick is just using them with a new purpose: to help kids reset. The science is simple: when we’re upset, angry, or hyper, our brains need sensory input to shift back into a calm, balanced state. That means engaging vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste… and even body awareness (proprioception) and balance (vestibular sense).
Here are a few fun, everyday “stations” you can set up:
Finger Fidgets
Classic play dough, clay, slime, stretchy toys, or even a handful of felt pens to doodle with: these keep little fingers busy and minds calmer. Bonus points if the play dough is colorful or scented.
Cozy House Building
Let them turn couch cushions, blankets, and sheets into their own safe hideout. Offer extra cushions, bring in a snack, or even climb in yourself if invited. Sometimes just wrapping up in a blanket for two minutes can work wonders.
Play for Two
When your child asks to throw a ball, wrestle, or have a silly cushion fight, say yes. Rhythmic movement, laughter, and eye contact aren’t just fun, they’re bonding and regulating.
The Magic Fit Ball
That giant exercise ball rolling around the house? Total gold. Your kid will invent a hundred ways to bounce, roll, or flop onto it. Just make sure the space is safe and let them go for it.
Sound Station
Pay attention to what sounds soothe your child. Some love white noise or running water, others hum or sing while they play. Experiment together: soft music, gentle nature sounds, or even your own voice can create a calm bubble.
Sand Play
Yes, it takes a bit of setup, a big flat box and a bag of sand, but kids instinctively know what to do once they see it. Add in some old toy parts or Legos, and you’ve got an instant sensory haven.
The point isn’t to create a perfect “therapy corner.” It’s about offering simple, playful ways for kids to reset when life feels too big. And honestly? Most of these stations are just as calming for adults.