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:
Cope-Cakes Social Story – A child-friendly explanation of coping skills
Coping Skills Poster/Colouring Sheet – Visual tools to reinforce calming strategies
My Cope-Cake Recipe Card – Children choose their own ingredients (e.g. deep breaths, talking to an adult, jumping jacks)
Healthy vs Unhealthy Coping Matching Game – Sort skills like “taking deep breaths” and “yelling”
“What is the Size?” Worksheet – Helps children judge the size of their feelings or how helpful a coping tool is
Printable Cope-Cake Dice Game – A fun way to practise naming and choosing coping skills
Cut-and-stick craft activity – Create a personalised Cope-Cake with calming tools
Helps children learn to:
Understand what coping skills are
Recognise healthy vs unhealthy reactions
Create a personalised emotional regulation plan
Use calming techniques when they feel overwhelmed
Reflect on what helps them feel safe, calm and in control
Perfect for use in:
Primary school classrooms, nurture groups, and PSHE lessons
Therapy sessions and emotional regulation work
SEND settings and support for children with autism or ADHD
Foster care, early help, and behaviour support
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!
