5 Fun Anger Management Games for Kids
As a parent, seeing your child struggle with anger can be challenging.
However, turning this challenge into an opportunity for growth can make all the difference.
Anger management games are an effective and engaging way to help children understand and manage their emotions.
Here are five games that can turn moments of frustration into opportunities for learning and fun.
This post may contain affiliate links. Full privacy policy and disclosure here.
Anger Management Games For Kids
1. Emotion Charades
Objective: Help kids recognize and express different emotions.
How to Play:
- Write various emotions on slips of paper (e.g., happy, sad, angry, surprised).
- Have your child pick a slip and act out the emotion without speaking.
- The other players guess the emotion being acted out.
Why It Works: This game helps children identify and articulate their feelings, which is the first step in managing them.
The Benefits of Emotion Charades for Emotional Development
2. Anger Thermometer
Objective: Teach kids to gauge the intensity of their anger.
How to Play:
- Draw a thermometer on a piece of paper.
- Label it from 1 to 10, with 1 being calm and 10 being extremely angry.
- When your child feels upset, ask them to point to the number that matches their anger level.
- Discuss what might help them move down the scale.
Why It Works: This activity encourages kids to become more aware of their anger levels and think about calming strategies.
How to Use Anger Thermometers for Emotional Awareness.
3. Calm Down Jars
Objective: Provide a visual and tactile way to manage anger.
How to Make:
- Fill a jar with water, glitter glue, and glitter.
- Seal the lid tightly.
- When your child feels angry, they can shake the jar and watch the glitter settle.
Why It Works: The act of shaking and then watching the glitter settle helps distract and soothe a child, promoting a sense of calm.
he Science Behind Calm Down Jars and Their Effectiveness.
4. Deep Breathing Balloon
Objective: Teach deep breathing techniques to reduce anger.
How to Play:
- Explain that when we are angry, taking deep breaths can help us calm down.
- Have your child imagine they are blowing up a big balloon.
- They should take a deep breath in through their nose and slowly exhale through their mouth as if blowing up the balloon.
Why It Works: Deep breathing is a simple and effective way to manage stress and anger.
5. Anger Art
Objective: Use creative expression as an outlet for anger.
How to Play:
- Give your child some paper and crayons or markers.
- Encourage them to draw how they feel when they are angry.
- Discuss their drawing afterward, talking about their feelings and what they might do to feel better.
Why It Works: Art provides a non-verbal way for children to express their emotions and can be very therapeutic.
Bottom Line
These games not only make managing anger more approachable for kids but also create a fun and safe environment for them to explore their feelings.
By incorporating these activities into your routine, you can help your child develop healthy emotional regulation skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.