How Parents Can Borrow Safe Ideas from Art Therapy (Without Becoming Therapists)

What you are doing at home

• Helping a child notice feelings (name it, pick it, or show it with a color).
• Helping a child downshift from overwhelm using a calm, predictable activity.
• Building coping routines that are short, repeatable, and non-punitive.

What you are not doing

• Diagnosing (“This drawing proves you’re anxious”).
• Interpreting symbols (“That color means trauma”).
• Forcing disclosure (“Tell me what this is really about”).
• Processing traumatic events without professional support.

Three reasons “emotional coloring for kids” can support calmer moments

• It gives the body a job. Repetitive, low-stakes hand movement can be soothing and helps kids pause before reacting.
• It makes feelings nameable. Picking a color, face, or word is easier than explaining a full story.
• It supports co-regulation. A calm adult nearby helps a child settle; the activity bridges the downshift.

Build a mini calm down corner (no fancy gear)

• One spot: chair/beanbag/couch corner with a predictable feel.
• One container: pencils/markers + 10–15 favorite pages (animals, seasons, nature).
• One choice menu: 3–4 calm options (color, stretch, water, quiet timer).
• One timer option: 3–10 minutes to prevent “forever breaks.”

1) “Color Your Day” (emotional coloring for kids)

When to use: after school, before bed, or after a tough moment when words feel hard.

What you need: any coloring page (animals or seasons work well) + pencils/markers.

Steps

1. Offer a page: “Pick one color for how today felt.”
2. Color one small area (not the whole page).
3. Optional: add a second “helping color” for what would make the day easier.
4. Close: “Thanks for showing me.” No analysis.

Gentle prompts (choose one)

• “If today was a color, what would it be?”
• “Which part of the day felt biggest?”
• “Do you want a helping color too?”

2) “Choose 3 Colors for Your Mood”

When to use: when feelings are tangled (“I’m mad and sad and I don’t know”).

What you need: a page with three big areas or a simple sheet with three shapes.

Steps

1. Say: “Pick three colors that match what’s happening inside.”
2. Color each area. No talking required.
3. Ask once: “Which color is the biggest feeling?”
4. Optional: “What would help that color get a little smaller?” (one small idea only).

3) “Feeling Faces Coloring” (coloring feelings for children)

When to use: when your child defaults to “fine/bad” or can’t name emotions yet.

What you need: a faces sheet (happy, sad, angry, worried, calm, excited, frustrated, scared).

Steps

1. Say: “Point to a face that fits today.”
2. Color that face (or two faces if feelings are mixed).
3. Add one label: “That looks like frustrated.”
4. Optional: “What does frustrated need—space, help, or a reset?”

4) “Draw Your Safe Place”

When to use: after conflict, scary news, nightmares, or social stress.

What you need: blank paper + pencils. Optional: base it on a nature/season page.

Steps

1. Say: “Let’s draw a place where your body feels safe.”
2. Invite details: “What do you see? What sounds are there?”
3. Add supports: “What helps you feel safe there?” (blanket, pet, music, ‘do not disturb’ sign).
4. Close: “We can come back to this place when you need it.”

5) “Feelings Weather Report” (fast check-in)

When to use: before school, after practice, before homework—when you need a quick, low-talk option.

Steps

1. Ask: “Inside you—sunny, cloudy, rainy, or stormy?”
2. Pick one icon and color it.
3. Offer one choice: “Water, stretch, or a quiet color page for 5 minutes?”

This works well for kids who dislike “talking about feelings,” because it’s metaphor-based and short.

Two safe ways to use an emotion wheel

• Point-and-choose: “Which word feels closest?” (no explaining required)
• Model-first: parent goes first: “I’m feeling disappointed today.”

When kids say “I don’t know”

• Offer two options: “More mad, or more sad?”
• Switch to faces: “Pick the closest face.”
• Do a simple body check: “Heavy, tight, or buzzy?”

Swap these phrases

1) The 60-second reset: breathe + color one small shape

1. Choose one tiny area to color (one leaf, one ear, one cloud).
2. Inhale for 3, exhale for 4 (or “smell the flower / blow the candle”).
3. After 60 seconds: “A little better, same, or worse?”

2) Before/after check-in (no analysis)

• Before: pick a face/word/color.
• After: pick again. If nothing changes, that’s still a skill repetition.

3) A simple calm down corner menu

• Color quietly
• Stretch (30 seconds)
• Drink water
• Quiet corner time (timer)

Ages 3–5: fewer choices, bigger shapes

• Offer two colors, not twenty.
• Use big areas: simple animals, large seasonal shapes.
• Name one feeling: “Looks like upset.” Stop there.

Ages 6–9: emotion wheel + one coping idea

• Circle one feeling word and color one section.
• Ask one coaching question: “What helps when this shows up?”
• Build a mini “calm menu” (3 favorites).

Ages 10–12: privacy + journaling option

• Offer privacy: “You don’t have to show me your page.”
• Try a short prompt: “One thing I wish adults understood is…”
• Keep safety boundaries: if risk appears, you seek help.

How to choose help (quick filters)

• Look for a licensed mental health professional who works with children.
• Ask about approach and fit (child-centered, play-based, CBT skills, family work).
• Share concrete observations: triggers, sleep, school changes, what helps, what worsens.
• Consider caregiver support: many families benefit from parent coaching alongside child support.