Calming Tools

What is A Calming Box?

A calming box or calm down box is a container full of tools and objects to help children cope with their emotions in a positive and safe manner. They can also be called sensory integration boxes. These tools and objects can help a child lower their energy or frustration levels and self-soothe with items they can smell, see, and feel.

What might go into a Calming Box?

Here are some items you can consider and try to see what works well for your child:

1) Bottle of bubbles or a pinwheel

2) Chewelry

3) Fidgets: Squeezable fidgets/stress balls or a tangle jr.

4) Weighted blanket or weighted vest or weighted stuffed animal

5) Therabands

6) Noise cancelling headphones

7) Paper and crayons, coloring book

8) Bubble wrap to stomp on

9) Make a calm glitter jar

10) Body sock

11) Favorite books to look at: I Spy or Where's Waldo or activity books of puzzles

12) Theraputty or thinking putty

13) Small soft blanket

14) Favorite stuffed animal

15) Liquid drop timers

16) Fidgeting fleece bean bags

17) Playdoh

18) Recycled newspapers or tissue paper to rip up

19) Spinning top or fidget spinner

20) Snacks with a variety of textures such as chewy (e.g., dried fruit or fruit roll-ups) or crunchy (e.g., pretzels, apple slices, or vegetables)