School Counseling Activities for Self-Regulation
Self-regulation is one of those things kids either have language and tools for or they don't. The resources here give them both. Coping skills activities for kids, self control activities, flexible thinking tools, emotion regulation strategies, all in one collection.
Every resource is something I've used in my own sessions or classroom guidance. They're low-prep on purpose because that's the constraint we work under.
What's in the collection
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flexible thinking activities
Why these work
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printable and digital formats
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coping skills, self control, and flexible thinking covered in one place
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works for Tier 1 classroom instruction and individual counseling
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elementary and middle school appropriate
Want unlimited access?
If you pull from these resources regularly, IMPACT membership ($39/month or $390/year) gives you unlimited access to every coping skills and regulation resource in the shop, plus everything else. About 1,000 counselors are using it.
CTA
Browse the full collection below. For related tools, check out the feelings check-in collection and anger management resources.
FAQs
What are coping skills activities for kids?
Coping skills activities are structured exercises that teach kids specific strategies for managing difficult emotions and tough situations. Common ones: deep breathing, positive self talk, sensory regulation, and step-by-step problem-solving.
What is self-regulation in school counseling?
Self-regulation is a student's ability to manage their own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors when something goes sideways. School counselors use self-regulation activities to teach those skills in structured, supportive ways, which builds long-term resilience.
What are flexible thinking activities?
Flexible thinking activities help students practice shifting perspectives, adapting to changes they didn't expect, and approaching problems from multiple angles. They're especially useful for kids who get stuck in rigid thinking patterns or anxiety.
Showing 35 products
Do your middle school students struggle with self-regulation and responding to conflicts in a healthy way? Self-regulation and conflict response are essential topics to teach at the middle school level. This middle school counseling self-regulation and conflict response lesson is thoughtfully designed...
Help students learn new coping strategies with this paperless digital activity! It can be used with students in a class setting, small groups, or individually. Students will learn easy, applicable strategies to use when they are feeling strong emotions. Students...
Looking for a one-stop shop for all of your school counseling needs? Need to make sure all of your curriculum follows research-based best practices? This comprehensive year-long three-tiered school counseling curriculum is designed to give you everything you need to...
This SEL Boom Cards bundle requires no prep and is ready to use in person or to send directly to students. This bundle includes six different activities and covers a wide variety of Social Emotional Learning topics including anger management,...
With this engaging and hands-on activity pack, students will learn new self-regulation strategies, how to identify the size of their problems, and how to practice appropriate reactions. Additionally, students will identify ways to solve their problems, differentiate between big and...
Self-regulation is a topic that you will come back to again and again as a school counselor. With this three-tier curriculum, you will have an engaging, ready-to-use, research-based, school counseling self-regulation lesson with an activity to use no matter what level of...
This self-regulation game provides an engaging and fun way for students to learn about and practice self-regulation. Students will move around the classroom and learn about the different emotions and coping strategies to help get themselves back to green. Students...
Collect data in your school counseling groups and individual sessions by using this self-regulation self-assessment. Self-assessments are a great way to determine student growth! Forms available in both hardcopy and digital version. The digital self-assessment is in Google Forms™ and includes a YouTube...
This fall-themed self-regulation digital activity explains self-regulation while allowing students to externalize their feelings to a pumpkin. Separating their feelings from their identity makes it easier for younger students to understand the power of their feelings and helps them to...
Teach students how to identify their emotions with this self-regulation memory matching game. Students will learn which feelings and actions are associated with each color. This Resource Includes: Matching Game Teacher / Counselor Instructions 60 Self-Regulation Game Cards Answer Key...
Are you looking for a super fun and engaging self-regulation classroom lesson that your students will be talking about for the rest of the day? This fun, low-prep, classroom counseling lesson will keep students engaged and give them a new...
This self-regulation activity explains self-regulation while allowing students to externalize their feelings to a chameleon. Separating their feelings from their identity makes it easier for younger students to understand their feelings and helps them to feel more in control of...