Circle of Control Worksheet: Printable Activity to Help You Focus on What You Can Control

From getting sick to dealing with a difficult classmate or a surprise quiz, kids face things outside their control every day. Over time, worrying about these can make them feel tired or upset.

When this happens, it becomes harder for them to think clearly or decide what to do next.

Here’s what helps: learning how to sort, not solve everything. The Circle of Control worksheets are effective tools that can help kids focus on what they can handle, instead of everything at once.

What is the Circle of Control?

The Circle of Control is a visual framework that can help your child sort out their thoughts.

When everything feels overwhelming, it shows them what is theirs to handle and what is not.

It breaks things down into three areas:

1. What you can control

This is your inner circle, which consists of your:

• Thoughts
• Actions
• Reactions
• Words
• Efforts
• Habits
• Choices

These are the things that depend on you.

2. What you can influence

These are the things you can affect, but not fully control.

This may include:

• Other people’s decisions
• Group outcomes at school or home
• How a situation turns out

3. What you can’t control

These are the things outside your control.

This includes:

• Things that already happened
• Other people’s behavior
• Unexpected events
• The weather
• Big world events or news
• Rules at school

When these get mixed together, everything can feel heavy and confusing.

Sorting them into the right circle makes things clearer. It helps kids to stop trying to control things that were never theirs to control.

It also makes it easier to let go of what is not their responsibility. This gives them more time and energy to focus on what they can do.

Research supports this approach. A review of studies on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) found that young people experience less stress when they learn to accept what they cannot control and focus on their actions [*].

Similarly, a study on Greek primary school children found that what goes on inside a child's mind, such as how much control they feel and how capable they believe they are, is the biggest driver of their ability to bounce back from difficulties [*].

This suggests that helping children focus on what is within their control may build the inner strength they need to cope better with challenges.

Printable Circle of Control Worksheets

Circle of control worksheets help kids sort out their thoughts.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed, they can break things down into what they can control, influence, or let go of.

Print these worksheets and use them in one-on-one sessions, small group counseling, classroom morning meetings, or at home after a hard day.

Circle of Control

The Circle of Control worksheets are a foundational resource. It is the best one to start with for kids encountering this concept for the first time.

The main worksheet features a visual anchor to separate what they can and can’t control, with examples to help them get started.

Additional worksheets guide kids through real situations, help them reflect on their thoughts and feelings, and practice letting go of what is not their responsibility.

Together, these activities help kids make sense of overwhelming situations and focus on what they can do.

DOWNLOAD THE CIRCLE OF CONTROL WORKSHEET HERE

Circle of Control Situation

Once a child is comfortable with the basic concept, they can move on to this two-part set. The Circle of Control Situation worksheets are designed for working through one specific stressor. It helps kids slow down, understand what they’re feeling, and choose how to respond in a healthy manner.

The child names the situation, then examines it using the Circle of Control. They sort the situation into what they can and can’t control using the visual circle.

The second page includes reflection prompts about feelings, action steps, and coping skills to manage their emotions.

DOWNLOAD THE CIRCLE OF CONTROL SITUATION WORKSHEET HERE

BONUS: Circle of Control Handouts & Posters

In addition to the worksheets, these resources help kids remember what to focus on and what to let go of.

Place these in a classroom, counseling office, common area, or bedroom. They serve as daily reminders that kids can choose what to focus on.

Circle of Control Poster

This child-friendly poster makes the concept easy to see at a glance. What kids can control is placed inside a pink circle, with soft, pastel-colored bubbles around it showing what they can’t control.

The "I CANNOT CONTROL / I CAN CONTROL" headings make it readable even from across the room. Print in color and frame it for a classroom or counseling office wall.

DOWNLOAD THE CIRCLE OF CONTROL POSTER HERE

Circle of Control Handout

The Circle of Control Handout is a kid-friendly single-page reference for the concept. It works as a quick reminder they can look at throughout the day.

It shows examples of what kids can and can’t control, so they can understand the difference easily. Illustrations help to make the idea easier for kids to understand.

Instead of trying to control everything, kids can pause, check the chart, and refocus on what they can do. When a child feels upset, you can point to the handout and ask, “Is this something you can control?”

DOWNLOAD THE CIRCLE OF CONTROL HANDOUT HERE

Things I Can’t Control Poster

This calmer-toned version uses the same bubble layout but with a soft teal center circle and muted pastel surrounding bubbles.

It is a great option for calm-down spaces, bedroom walls, or situations where a child needs a gentler reminder.

DOWNLOAD THE THINGS I CAN'T CONTROL POSTER HERE

The Bottom Line

Children can’t always control what happens to them. But they can learn to control how they respond. That’s not a small thing, as it’s one of the most foundational life skills a child can develop.

The Circle of Control worksheets on this page make teaching easier. They turn the concept into something a child can write in, draw in, and come back to.

The next time a child says, “I can’t do anything about it”, you will have the right tool to show them how much they can.

If you’re looking for more stress management worksheets, explore our collection here.

References:

1. Papoulidi A, Maniadaki K. The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy in the Relationship Between Locus of Control and Resilience in Primary School Students. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ. 2025 Jul 17;15(7):138. doi: 10.3390/ejihpe15070138. PMID: 40709971; PMCID: PMC12295466.
2. Binder F, Mehl R, Resch F, Kaess M, Koenig J. Interventions Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Stress Reduction in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Psychopathology. 2024;57(3):202-218. doi: 10.1159/000535048. Epub 2023 Dec 21. PMID: 38128510.