These stress management games for kids teach students to separate stressors they can control or avoid from stressors that call for a coping skill. An umbrella visual shows that some stress "raindrops" can be blocked while others cannot, and the activities build healthy ways to handle unavoidable stress.

The resource includes a stress self-assessment in two formats, worksheets, three coping skills games and two posters, all printable. The activities are designed for students in grades 2-5 and are suited to individual sessions and small groups.

Students will learn how to:

⭐ Sort stressors into ones they can avoid or control and ones they cannot

⭐ Plan ahead for tests and homework so stress stays manageable

⭐ Choose coping skills such as deep breaths, journaling or talking to a trusted adult

⭐ Select a safe, appropriate reaction when a situation is out of their control

This resource includes:

✔ Stress self-assessment in two formats: picture faces or yes, sometimes, no

✔ Teaching page on avoidable and unavoidable stressors

✔ Stressor sorting page that students color by type

✔ Write-in worksheets for planning around stressors and naming coping skills

✔ Can and can't control umbrella page

✔ Situation flowchart with two completed examples and a blank copy

✔ 15 coping skills charades cards and a cut-and-fold die

✔ Reaction poster and a STRESS acronym poster

Engaging activities include:

Coping Skills Charades
A student draws a card and silently acts out a strategy, such as stretching, listening to music or making a gratitude list, while the group guesses.

Coping Skills Dice Game
Students roll the die and answer the question facing up, such as what causes them stress at school. The game ends when every question has been answered.

Coping Skills Card Game
Using a standard deck of cards, an odd card means naming a stressor, an even card means naming a coping skill, a face card ("faces of my friends") means naming someone to talk to and an ace ("ace give me space") means naming a place to go.

Can I Control or Avoid It?
Students work through a real situation on the flowchart. If they can control it, they write how. If they cannot, they list coping skills and an appropriate reaction.

Why you'll love these games:

⭐ Low prep: print, cut and use a standard deck of cards

⭐ Combines movement, discussion and writing

⭐ Quickly shows what is causing each student stress

⭐ Works as stress management group activities or in individual sessions

Students manage stress more effectively once they understand what they can change and what they need to cope with. These stress relief games for students provide practical strategies for both.

Pairs well with:

Stress Busters stress management small group

Download the free class lesson cheat sheet for additional lesson ideas.