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We’ve compiled a list of products that can help reduce anxiety in kids, tweens and teens. The keyword here is can. There is no guarantee that any of these products will be effective for every child or every situation.
Hopefully this list will give you some ideas on products that will help the anxious child in your life.
We’ve listed products for all budgets and all age groups, as well as all types and sizes. Some of these products are smaller and are perfect to take on-the-go! Some of these products are larger and will become a favorite fixture in the home.
We’ve also featured products that are eco-friendly, sustainable, and plastic-free (where possible).
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. What does this mean?
Some children find great relief from stress and anxiety by coloring and drawing. Crayons and colored pencils are both good options, depending on the age of the child.
We love these non-toxic crayons made with organic beeswax. There is also a small shop on Etsy that makes beeswax crayons by hand that can be purchased HERE. For colored pencils, Lyra is a high-quality brand.
Along the same lines as crayons and colored pencils, a coloring book may be useful for kids with anxiety.
Tweens and Teens would enjoy more intricate coloring books, while younger children will enjoy more basic coloring books.
The Wobble Board is a product that can be used for all ages (even adults) and in a variety of different ways. Children can stand on it a balance or rock back and forth. Many find this to be helpful in helping reduce anxiety. Children may also enjoy sitting on it and rocking back and forth. It can also be used to make a fort or in other creative play that can be stress relieving for children.
Rainmakers are a calming toy. Not only are rainmakers an auditory sensory toy, but some (like this wooden one), provide visual sensory too.
The Silk Skytail (made by Sarah’s Silks) is a great toy to be used to either alone or with others. Throwing this toy up high in the air and watching it fall back to earth can be therapeutic. You can make it more into a game by encouraging your kid to try and catch it or simply toss it back and forth with your child. It comes in either Rainbow or Star.
The act of squishing, rolling and manipulating play dough can help kids cope with stress and anxiety.
Eco-dough is a great alternative to the traditional “Play-Doh” and comes in various colors. It is made in small batches using natural, non-toxic materials.
These climbing structure can provide your child an avenue to exert energy. They can be a place for a child to climb on and literally hang out either indoors or outdoors. This climbing dome is meant for indoor use only, while this one can also be used outside. This would be best for kids ages 3-8.
The Skwish, made by Manhattan Toy Company, is marketed as a baby toy, but it can useful for kids of all ages who have anxiety. It acts similarly to a stress ball in a way – it can be manipulated and squeezed and always bounces back to its original shape. This comes in a variety of colors (Artful, Natural, Classic and Burst).
A HugglePod is great place for kids to retreat and relax. It can be used both indoors or out. The gentle swinging of the HugglePod and the enclosed space can help reduce anxiety in kids when they are feeling overwhelmed.
There are multiple options to choose from. The HugglePod Deluxe fits one child and comes with an inflatable removable cushion. The HugglePod HangOut is much larger and can fit multiple children. It also comes with LED lights stringed in the top, three porthole-style windows, a hook-and-flap door and a removable cushion.
How it works: Players give the spinner a whirl and perform the yoga pose on the corresponding card. If the player can can hold the pose for 10 seconds, they keep the card. The first player to collect a card in each color wins.
This game is meant for children 5+ and can be modified to be more or less challenging (or even played independently).
You can buy this game (the Yoga Spinner Game by Think Fun) here.
The Magna Tablet provides a very unique sensation which many find relaxing. You can “draw” on the tab using the included stylus with a magnet on the end. As a result, small balls of magnets pop up with a noticeable “click” sound. The magnetic balls stay in place until they are pushed back down – you can use your hands, the opposite end of the stylus, or the stylus turned sideways.
A simple, budget-friendly gift that will encourage kids to get outside and get moving. We love this jump rope because the handles are shaped like rocket ships! The handles also come in other shapes like lions or rainbow fairies!
The Swivel Bug by Tegu is a great fidgeting toy. It twists and clicks into place as it’s made with magnets. You can also pull it apart since it contains elastic components.
This is a set of five musical eggs, all with different sounds! From jingles to rattles, these brightly colored wood eggs may help soothe your sensory seeking child while introducing them to the delight of music. The eggs are carefully crafted in Germany.
Another great gift that gets kids outside and creating is sidewalk chalk! It is a perfect gift to help reduce anxiety in kids and let them get some of their creativity flowing outdoors. We love sidewalk chalk because it comes in so many fun variations like the ones pictured above.
This type of swing has raving reviews. The woven basket design could help children who find comfort and solace in swinging or spinning. We also like the surfboard style of the Swurfer swings that are designed for both sitting and standing.
Magnetic building sets like these PowerClix sets come in a variety of styles and colors. They are great creative outlets for kids who find peace in building things using their imagination. The PowerClix sets have been independently tested to be free of harmful phthalates, PVC free and are BPA and BPS free.
Children may find it therapeutic and challenging to stack these blocks in different variations. This is an activity that can be done alone or it can be made into a game where players take turns stacking and try not to knock the tower down.
Yoga can be beneficial for children with anxiety because it provides a gentle and non-competitive physical activity that can help calm the body and mind. Through the practice of yoga poses, breathing techniques, and relaxation exercises, children can learn to regulate their breathing and focus their attention, which can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Additionally, yoga can help children develop mindfulness and self-awareness, which can improve their ability to recognize and manage their emotions. Incorporating yoga into a child’s routine can be a helpful tool for managing anxiety and promoting overall well-being. Having a yoga mat is a great way for any kid to start!
Grimm’s makes several versions of a mandala puzzle. Kids may love taking it apart and putting it back together again, or making different patterns. The most popular of the Grimm’s Mandala puzzle range is the Sparkling Mandala Sun puzzle. Grimm’s puzzles are made of natural solid wood and are made to last a lifetime. The great thing about the Mandala Sun Puzzle is that there is no right or wrong way to assemble it. Kids (and parents alike) can make limitless patterns and designs. This creative element makes it the perfect calming puzzle activity to help with anxiety.
The spirograph is a classic toy that may help kids de-stress as they make types of spirals. It can be a helpful tool for children with anxiety as it provides a creative and meditative outlet. Creating intricate patterns and designs using the spirograph can be a calming and soothing activity for children, allowing them to focus their attention on the task at hand and helping to distract from anxious thoughts and feelings. The repetitive and predictable nature of using a spirograph can also provide a sense of control and mastery, which can be empowering for children who may feel overwhelmed or helpless in the face of their anxiety.
This indoor trampoline with an adjustable handlebar makes jumping on a trampoline a bit safer. “Rebounding” is the exercise term that describes the act of jumping on a trampoline. Children and adults have reported noticeable benefits from this.
Candles can be very calming and relaxing. This gift is more appropriate for teens/tweens (depending on the child) and should be used under adult supervision.
We like these candles because they’re made of beeswax, lead-free cotton wicks and essential oils (as opposed to paraffin wax and synthetic fragrance).
This eye pillow is made with organic lavender and promotes relaxation and sleep. It’s also filled with flaxseed so the pillow is weighted which provides an additional feeling of comfort.
A long, relaxing bath can help melt away anxiety. This lavender-infused bath bomb is a great addition and a great gift for kids, tweens and teens, as it is made of safe, all-natural ingredients.
Aromatherapy is often used as a natural remedy to relieve anxiety and stress. An essential oil diffuser along with some essential oils could make a good gift for a child, tween or teen dealing with anxiety.
The Micro Kickboard Maxi Deluxe Folding Scooter is for kids ages 5-12. Most kids can’t resist the lure of this popular scooter. It gets them exercising and out in the fresh air, all while having fun.
Children may find having stars projected on their walls and ceiling in their bedroom calming. This star projector also has a bunch of other neat features if you have a child interested in space.
The Nugget Comfort is part toy and part furniture. It can be a useful tool for kids with anxiety in a variety of ways. Kids can lounge on it and relax. They can also build with it, re-arrange it, make a fort out of it, make a slide out of it, etc. The Nugget supports both relaxation and gross motor activity.
We wrote a FULL REVIEW of the Nugget couch if you want to learn more.
That concludes our 30+ gift ideas for kids dealing with anxiety. We would love to hear what has worked for you, or if you have any other product suggestions. You can contact us or find us on instagram (@modernmindfulmom)
