The Cope-Cakes Coping Skills Pack is a creative, hands-on mental health resource designed to help children learn healthy ways to cope with anger, worry, and sadness. Using the idea of a “cope-cake” (a cupcake filled with calming strategies), this printable pack teaches kids that just like making a cupcake, they can choose different ingredients (coping skills) to feel better when emotions feel too big.
This coping skills activity pack for kids includes visual worksheets, a coping skills social story, a printable board game, sorting tasks, and matching games to help children understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy coping strategies.
Included in the pack:
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Cope-Cakes Social Story – A child-friendly explanation of coping skills
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Coping Skills Poster/Colouring Sheet – Visual tools to reinforce calming strategies
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My Cope-Cake Recipe Card – Children choose their own ingredients (e.g. deep breaths, talking to an adult, jumping jacks)
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Healthy vs Unhealthy Coping Matching Game – Sort skills like “taking deep breaths” and “yelling”
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“What is the Size?” Worksheet – Helps children judge the size of their feelings or how helpful a coping tool is
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Printable Cope-Cake Dice Game – A fun way to practise naming and choosing coping skills
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Cut-and-stick craft activity – Create a personalised Cope-Cake with calming tools
Helps children learn to:
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Understand what coping skills are
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Recognise healthy vs unhealthy reactions
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Create a personalised emotional regulation plan
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Use calming techniques when they feel overwhelmed
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Reflect on what helps them feel safe, calm and in control
Perfect for use in:
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Primary school classrooms, nurture groups, and PSHE lessons
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Therapy sessions and emotional regulation work
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SEND settings and support for children with autism or ADHD
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Foster care, early help, and behaviour support
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Home use by parents or carers teaching coping strategies
This engaging and playful coping skills resource for kids builds confidence, resilience, and emotional understanding—one cupcake at a time!
