Automatic Negative Thinking Flashcards (ANT Cards) is a free, printable CBT resource for children designed to help them recognise, understand, and challenge unhelpful thoughts. Based on principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), this creative card set introduces a series of friendly “ANT” characters—each representing a common thinking trap, such as Perfect Polly, Catastrophe Callum, or Mind-Reader Mia.
Each illustrated card turns a complex idea into a simple story, helping children learn that thoughts are not always facts. By exploring these characters and their “kinder thoughts,” children build emotional awareness, resilience, and self-compassion.
This engaging resource is ideal for teachers, school counsellors, therapists, social workers, foster carers, and parents supporting children’s mental health and emotional development. The cards can be used individually or in groups to encourage reflection, conversation, and positive thinking.
Key learning outcomes include:
Recognising unhelpful or automatic negative thoughts
Understanding how thoughts affect emotions and behaviour
Developing balanced, realistic ways of thinking
Building confidence and emotional resilience
Encouraging empathy, self-kindness, and problem-solving
Professionals can use the flashcards during therapy sessions, PSHE or SEL lessons, ELSA work, or family discussions. Suggested activities include:
Role-play: Children act out an ANT’s voice, then practice “flipping” it into a kinder thought
Journalling: Writing or drawing about how an ANT made them feel
Circle time discussions: Exploring how everyone has unhelpful thoughts sometimes
Daily reflection: Choosing one ANT card a day to work on awareness and positive thinking
These CBT-based flashcards make cognitive and emotional skills accessible to children by turning abstract psychology into playful learning. They encourage curiosity, creativity, and conversation, giving children the tools to identify negative thought patterns and replace them with balanced, supportive inner dialogue.
Beautifully illustrated and easy to use, the Automatic Negative Thinking Flashcards empower children to notice their thoughts, challenge negativity, and build a mindset grounded in confidence, optimism, and emotional wellbeing.
Perfect for use in classrooms, therapy, or at home, this resource helps children learn one of life’s most valuable skills — how to be kind to themselves.
