15 Calm Down Corner Printables for Home and Classroom Use
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Key Takeaways:
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Big feelings can show up fast, and for kids, knowing what to do with them isn’t always easy. That’s where a calming corner comes in: a quiet, comforting space where children can pause, process their emotions, and reset. With the right calm-down corner printables, you can create a space that helps kids handle big emotions and learn how to calm down on their own.
How Printables Make Calm Down Corners More Effective
When kids are upset, they don’t always have the words to tell us what’s wrong. That’s where printables become helpful. Through visual cues, they help children put a name to what they’re feeling.
These printables also become like a toolbox of coping skills that kids can use on their own. This way, they don’t have to wait for adults to help them handle tough feelings.
The real magic happens when children start understanding themselves better. Through regular use of these printables, they can begin to notice patterns such as “I always get cranky when I'm tired" or "Taking deep breaths helps me feel better." This self-awareness can help them throughout their whole lives.
15 Calm Down Corner Printables for Home and Classroom Use
Ready to build or refresh you calm-down corner? These printable tools are simple to use, kid-friendly, and perfect for both home and classroom settings.
1. Feelings Thermometer with Emojis
Picture a thermometer, but instead of showing temperature, it displays emotions ranging from sad at the bottom to angry at the top. Each level has an emoji face that kids can point to. So instead of trying to find words when they're upset, they can just point and say, "I'm here."
It's like a GPS for feelings. It shows kids exactly where they are and lets them track their progress.
In addition, this feelings thermometer handout has a “What Can You Do About It?” column with illustrations to visually prompt kids on coping skills they can practice depending on how they are currently feeling.
2. How to Calm the Fight, Flight, Freeze Response
When kids feel overwhelmed, their brains can activate the fight, flight, or freeze response, just like adults.
This handout briefly explains the science behind the fight, flight, freeze response. But more than that, it also gives kids actual strategies to help their bodies realize it’s safe again. Examples include diaphragmatic breathing, releasing physical tension, and grounding.
3. Emotions Poster
This handout set features two printables that can be beneficial for your home or classroom calm-down corner. “How are You Feeling Today?” features 28 emojis that represent a range of emotions from happy to sad. This makes it easier for young children to recognize their emotions.
“What Color Are You?” provides kids with healthy coping strategies for each mood, which is represented by a color. It removes the guesswork and helps them take action based on how they feel.
4. Calm Down Visuals Strategies
This printable presents a menu of calm-down strategies using simple icons and brief descriptions. Examples include hugging a pillow, drawing, reading jokes, or listening to music, which can be done in a calm-down corner.
Having multiple options is beneficial because different strategies work better for different children and different situations. The visually engaging menu reduces decision fatigue and provides immediate access to helpful techniques.
5. Coping Skills Alphabet
This printable assigns a coping skill to each letter of the alphabet, which makes it both educational and practical. For example, “A” refers to “Asking for help” while “B” is for “belly breathing”.
The alphabet format makes it easy to remember and provides 26 different strategies for children to explore.
6. Feelings Thermometer Worksheets
This printable set includes a range of interactive worksheets like the Feelings Thermometer, 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique, My Gratitude Walk, My Peaceful Place, and a Coping Skills handout.
Each worksheet encourages kids to reflect, so they can learn to identify their emotions and explore calming strategies. Keep these in a folder, tray, or binder within the calm-down corner.
7. Breathing Exercises
Research has shown that breathing practices, when done properly and consistently, can be highly effective for reducing stress and anxiety [*]. This printable features a collection of unique breathing exercises, such as “Bunny Breath” and “Dragon’s Fire Breath,” and step-by-step instructions for each.
The printables make these techniques accessible and easy to follow independently. Kids can choose which one they prefer.
8. Breathing Colors Exercise
Breathing colors combines deep breathing with color visualization. Children can choose a calming color to breathe in and a stress color to breathe out. The handout suggests colors that represent different emotions, but they can also choose other colors that are meaningful for them.
Using color imagery makes the activity more engaging and helps children stay focused as they practice deep breathing.
9. Square Breathing
Having the Square Breathing poster in a calm-down corner is helpful because kids can use the technique on their own, without the need for adult support.
The printable features a square with arrows that guide them through each step of the breathing pattern. This simple visual makes it easy for children to follow the rhythm and timing of the exercise.
10. Physiological Sigh Breathing Technique
The physiological sigh is a simple and effective breathing technique that naturally helps the body relax. It involves taking two inhales through the nose, followed by a slow, extended exhale through the mouth.
This printable is useful in calm-down corners for moments of intense anxiety or overwhelm, as it can quickly calm the body.
11. Baby Animals Coloring Pages
Research has shown that coloring activities can reduce anxiety in pre-school-aged children undergoing chemotherapy [*]. In a calm-down corner, having coloring pages and a set of crayons gives kids a quiet, low-stress way to relax and feel more in control.
The Baby Animals Coloring Pages are ideal for kids who need time to decompress on their own. It also features different coping skills that kids can learn the next time they get overwhelmed.
12. Heart Breathing
The Heart Breathing is another poster you can put up in the calm-down corner to remind kids to breathe properly when they’re feeling stressed. It features a heart shape with an arrow tracing the outline to guide breathing.
Kids can think of a loved one while doing the breathing exercise. Another option is to trace the heart with their finger while matching the motion to the rhythm of their breath.
13. 5 Senses Grounding Technique
This printable features the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise, which involves using the 5 senses to reconnect with the environment.
Grounding shifts focus away from distressing thoughts or big emotions and toward what’s real and happening now. Once calm, kids are better able to think clearly, follow instructions, and participate in activities.
14. Circle of Control
This printable shows a circle labeled with things kids can control, while everything outside the circle represents what’s out of their control.
Learning the Circle of Control allows kids to understand what they can and can’t control, which is something they might struggle with when they feel anxious. When kids learn to focus on what they can control, they’re more likely to take positive action instead of getting stuck in frustration.
15. Rainbow Breathing
This colorful breathing poster assigns different colors to the different parts of the breath cycle.
The rainbow design makes it visually appealing for kids while being easy to follow. The bright, cheerful colors can help shift mood while the breathing pattern calms the body.
The Bottom Line
Creating a calm-down corner is one of the most effective ways to help kids manage big emotions in healthy, independent ways. But to truly empower them, it’s important to fill that space with tools they can understand and use on their own.
That’s where calm down corner printables make a difference. They offer clear, visual strategies that guide children through tough moments. Whether it’s naming a feeling, trying a breathing exercise, or grounding themselves through their senses, each printable becomes part of a child's emotional toolkit.
Explore our Coping Skills Worksheets for more printable digital download ideas for calm-down corners.
References:
- Bentley TGK, D'Andrea-Penna G, Rakic M, Arce N, LaFaille M, Berman R, Cooley K, Sprimont P. Breathing Practices for Stress and Anxiety Reduction: Conceptual Framework of Implementation Guidelines Based on a Systematic Review of the Published Literature. Brain Sci. 2023 Nov 21;13(12):1612. doi: 10.3390/brainsci13121612. PMID: 38137060; PMCID: PMC10741869.
- Sari, W& Nurhayati, E & Sulaeman, S, & Purwanti, N. (2018). The Effectiveness of Playing Therapy: Painting and Colouring on Anxiety Levels Preschool Children before Chemotherapy Procedures in Women and Children Hospital of Harapan Kita Jakarta. 2820-2826. 10.5220/0009953128202826.
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