Helping young children navigate their emotions is one of the most powerful ways we can support their growth. When kids have the chance to explore feelings through hands-on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) activities, they are not just crafting; they are building lifelong skills. Crafting, imaginative expression, and calming sensory play give children a safe, approachable way to understand what they are feeling and practice strategies that help them return to calm.
This collection of creative SEL crafts is designed for young learners in Pre-K through Grade 2 and includes expert insights from Tom Timmerman, LSW, Parent Navigator at Sanford Children’s CHILD Services. His guidance helps caregivers and educators understand why these activities work and how simple tools can make a meaningful difference in a child’s ability to manage big feelings.
Dive into the projects below and discover how art can open the door to stronger emotional awareness, connection, and resilience.
Help children recognize that emotions shift and change, just like clouds in the sky. This gentle craft encourages kids to identify different feelings, name them, and talk about what those emotions feel like in their bodies.
This calming, visual tool gives kids a way to pause and refocus when emotions start to feel too big. As children shake, tilt, and search through their I Spy bottle, they practice slowing their breathing and grounding their attention. Learn how simple sensory tools like this help children reset their nervous system and return to a place of calm. Based on the beloved “Tuck, Breathe, and Think” strategy, this craft teaches kids a step-by-step approach to calming down. As children create their own Tucker the Turtle, they learn how to pause, take deep breaths, and make thoughtful choices. Kids love squeezing, stretching, and shaping these homemade stress balls, and those sensory movements offer powerful emotional benefits. This craft helps children release tension and channel big feelings through touch.
This hands-on project invites kids to explore textures, colors, and patterns that help calm their bodies and minds. Each page of the sensory book becomes a personalized toolkit for emotional comfort. When worries start to pile up, kids need a safe outlet to express them. The Worry Monster gives children a playful way to “feed” their anxious thoughts and let them go. This seasonal, scented playdough offers a soothing sensory experience that helps kids unwind. Kneading, rolling, and shaping the dough provides a natural way to release stress and settle big emotions. Refreshing and calming, this peppermint‑scented playdough gives kids a hands‑on way to work through tough feelings. The repetitive motions of squeezing and molding help children slow down and reconnect with their bodies. Want to see these SEL projects in action? Visit our full Youtube playlist for step-by-step video instructions on how to make each craft.
