Mental wellness is essential for children’s development, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can play a big role in supporting that growth. While therapy might sound serious or clinical, it doesn’t have to feel that way for kids. When presented in a playful, engaging way, CBT can help children develop emotional awareness, improve their coping skills, and build resilience—all while having fun. At The Kids Point, we believe that fostering mental health early with child-friendly CBT activities can set the foundation for a happier, more balanced future.
In this article, we’ll explore how CBT works for kids, its benefits, and introduce you to a wide variety of fun and interactive CBT-based activities that children can enjoy at home, in classrooms, or in therapeutic settings.
What is CBT and Why is it Important for Kids?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used therapeutic approach that helps individuals identify, understand, and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. While it’s most often associated with adults, CBT is just as effective for children. With a few age-appropriate adjustments, CBT can help kids:
- Recognize and express their emotions
- Learn how their thoughts influence their actions
- Replace negative thoughts with positive alternatives
- Develop healthier responses to stress, anxiety, and anger
Research shows that CBT significantly improves symptoms of anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues in children. And when introduced in a creative and engaging way, it can also boost emotional intelligence and social skills.
Making CBT Fun: Why Play Matters
Children naturally process the world through play. It’s how they explore emotions, solve problems, and make sense of relationships. When CBT concepts are delivered through games, storytelling, and art, kids are more likely to stay engaged and internalize the lessons. That’s why CBT activities for kids often use visual tools, interactive exercises, and movement to reinforce cognitive skills in a developmentally appropriate way.
15 Fun CBT Activities to Support Kids’ Mental Health
Here are some of the best CBT-based activities that are both enjoyable and therapeutic:
The Feelings Thermometer
Purpose: Teach kids to identify the intensity of their emotions.
How to Use: Draw a thermometer with levels from 1 (calm) to 10 (extremely upset). Ask kids to color in the thermometer to show how they’re feeling during different situations. This activity helps children recognize emotional escalation and understand when they need to use calming strategies.
Thought Bubbles
Purpose: Help children differentiate between helpful and unhelpful thoughts.
How to Use: Provide kids with blank “thought bubble” worksheets. Present them with different scenarios (e.g., “You forgot your homework”) and ask them to fill in the bubbles with possible thoughts. Then, help them label each as helpful or unhelpful and practice turning the unhelpful ones into more positive versions.
Worry Monster or Worry Box
Purpose: Externalize anxiety and build coping habits.
How to Use: Create a worry monster (a decorated tissue box or paper bag) or a simple worry box. Have the child write or draw their worries on slips of paper and “feed” them to the monster. Later, discuss the worries together and brainstorm possible solutions.
Coping Skills Wheel
Purpose: Build a toolbox of calming strategies.
How to Use: Divide a paper plate into six segments, each labeled with a coping strategy (e.g., breathing, drawing, taking a walk, talking to a friend). Let children decorate the wheel and spin it when they’re feeling overwhelmed. It introduces variety and choice in managing emotions.
My Strengths Shield
Purpose: Promote self-esteem and resilience.
How to Use: Provide a shield template and ask kids to divide it into four parts. Each section should include one strength or positive trait (e.g., “I’m a good friend,” “I am brave”). This visual affirmation helps reinforce positive self-talk and a stronger sense of identity.
The CBT Triangle Game
Purpose: Help kids connect thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
How to Use: Create triangle diagrams with “Thought,” “Feeling,” and “Behavior” at each point. Give scenarios (e.g., “You’re invited to a birthday party”) and ask the child to fill in each point of the triangle. Use it to identify patterns and practice changing one part to influence the others positively.
Emotion Charades
Purpose: Improve emotional recognition and empathy.
How to Use: Write emotions on slips of paper (happy, sad, worried, excited, angry). Take turns acting them out without words while others guess. This builds awareness of non-verbal cues and opens the door for emotional conversations.
Feelings Journal
Purpose: Develop emotional literacy and processing skills.
How to Use: Encourage kids to keep a journal where they record daily emotions, what caused them, and how they responded. Use emojis, colors, or stickers to make it more engaging. Reflecting on these entries together builds emotional awareness.
Calm-Down Glitter Jars
Purpose: Teach mindfulness and emotional regulation.
How to Use: Fill a clear bottle with water, glitter glue, and loose glitter. When shaken, the swirling glitter represents strong emotions. As it settles, so can the child. This visual metaphor is great for teaching patience and calming skills.
Positive Self-Talk Mirror
Purpose: Encourage confidence and reduce negative self-beliefs.
How to Use: Give kids a mirror and sticky notes. Ask them to write down positive affirmations (e.g., “I am kind,” “I try my best”) and stick them around the mirror. Encourage them to repeat the affirmations daily.
CBT Role Play Skits
Purpose: Practice social problem-solving and emotional regulation.
How to Use: Give kids everyday challenging situations (e.g., a friend takes their toy) and role-play different responses. Discuss the thoughts and emotions behind each behavior. This helps kids build empathy and social resilience.
Mood Coloring Pages
Purpose: Combine creativity with emotional expression.
How to Use: Offer coloring pages that represent emotions or ask children to choose colors that represent how they feel. Coloring helps children relax and serves as a gateway to talking about their emotions.
Anxiety Ladder
Purpose: Help kids face fears gradually.
How to Use: Draw a ladder with 5–7 steps. At the bottom is a small fear (e.g., asking for help), and at the top is a bigger one (e.g., presenting in class). Help the child set achievable goals to gradually “climb the ladder.”
Unhelpful Thought Detective
Purpose: Identify and challenge cognitive distortions.
How to Use: Teach kids to become “thought detectives.” When they notice a negative thought (“Nobody likes me”), they investigate the evidence and come up with alternative thoughts. You can use detective hats or magnifying glasses to make it playful.
Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
Purpose: Shift focus toward positivity.
How to Use: Create a checklist of things to be grateful for (something red, something soft, something that makes you laugh). Let kids search for items at home or outside. Gratitude can rewire thinking patterns and increase happiness.
Tips for Making CBT Activities More Effective
While these activities are fun and powerful, it’s important to support children through them mindfully:
- Model the behavior: Children learn best when adults model CBT strategies themselves.
- Be patient: Kids may need time to open up. Allow them to engage at their own pace.
- Use visual aids: Diagrams, flashcards, and colors can enhance understanding.
- Give praise: Celebrate effort and small wins to reinforce progress.
- Be consistent: Repetition helps kids internalize new thought patterns and behaviors.
When to Use These CBT Activities
CBT activities can be used in various settings, such as:
- At home with parents or caregivers
- In the classroom to promote social-emotional learning
- During therapy sessions with counselors or psychologists
- In group settings like social skills groups or summer camps
They’re especially helpful for kids dealing with:
- Anxiety and excessive worry
- Low self-esteem
- Social challenges
- Anger or behavioral issues
- Depression or sadness
- Adjustment problems (e.g., divorce, moving, new school)
Combining CBT with Other Techniques
You can also enhance the benefits of CBT activities by combining them with mindfulness, art therapy, or play therapy. For instance, mindful breathing can be paired with a glitter jar, or storytelling can accompany a CBT triangle diagram.
Helpful Resources for Parents and Educators
For those looking to dig deeper, consider these additional tools:
- CBT workbooks for kids (e.g., “What to Do When You Worry Too Much” by Dawn Huebner)
- Free printable worksheets from trusted child mental health websites
- Apps like “Smiling Mind” or “Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame” for guided mindfulness
- CBT card games that reinforce skills in a fun, interactive format
CBT doesn’t have to feel like therapy to make a positive impact. When delivered through fun and interactive activities, it becomes a natural part of a child’s emotional development. Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, building confidence, or just learning how to navigate their emotions, these CBT activities provide a gentle and engaging way to grow their mental resilience.
At The Kids Point, we are committed to helping children thrive emotionally and mentally. By integrating fun CBT exercises into their daily lives, parents, educators, and therapists can make emotional learning an empowering and even joyful experience. Give these activities a try and watch your child build strength from the inside out.