Soothing Stones

Age

3+

Objective/theme

Emotional Regulation, Nature

Many counselors recommend keeping a smooth stone on hand to help reduce anxiety, as focusing on the physical sensation can be soothing and help promote mindfulness. This activity involves customization of a personal worry stone to help recenter and reduce stress.

Supplies

• At least one rock or stone (the smoother the better!)

• Your choice of art supplies: pencil, pen, marker, paint, or collage supplies will work!

Prep

• Cover the table you will be working on if you are using messy paint or collage supplies

• Find an area in your yard or neighborhood where you will be able to collect several small stones

Directions

• Take a walk! Have kids spend some time outside searching your yard or neighborhood for several nice rocks. Ideally the stones should be small enough for kids to hold in their hand or keep in their pocket, but large enough that they will be able to decorate them.

• Give the rocks a quick bath or wipe them off to remove any dirt.

• Select your favorite stones to decorate

• Decorate however you would like using the materials you have on hand! This could mean painting, drawing with markers/pencils/pens, or gluing on sequins or feathers. I created worry stones using a Sharpie, a paint pen, and a pencil.

• For older children: Suggest making one of their stones a worry friend! Using a pencil, have them draw a concerned or scared face on the stone. They can share whatever is worrying them with the stone at this time. Then, they can practice comforting the stone, and erase the worried face, replacing it with a smile! They might even decide that afterwards their stone can relax into a nice soothing sleep…

• For older children: Suggest writing an inspirational or soothing message on one of their stones!

• Keep the stone handy for times of stress. Stroking the stone gently and focusing on the smooth sensations can help alleviate anxiety and recenter in the present moment, especially when paired with calming breathing exercises.

Discussion

• What is worrying you today? 

• What do you do to relax when you are feeling stressed?

• What can you tell yourself when you are feeling scared to help remember that you will be okay?

Promoting Mindfulness: Ask participants to name the physical sensations they are experiencing, or to list what they can feel with each of their five senses. I recommend repeating this step once while outside in nature, and again inside once they are holding their worry stone. This helps promote mindfulness, which is one of the best strategies proven to reduce anxiety.