When a child keeps returning to anxious "what if?" thoughts, the Worry Monster activity gives them a concrete way to move those worries out of their head and into a manageable form. The pack is aimed at kids and teens who may feel uneasy, overwhelmed or stuck on future concerns, and it is especially useful for parents, carers, social workers, counsellors and school staff supporting children with anxiety or everyday worries.
The opening pages explain what a worry is in accessible language, including examples such as worrying about being picked up or needing a needle at the doctor’s office. Physical signs of worry are also named, such as butterflies in the stomach and shaky knees, helping children connect thoughts, feelings and body sensations without feeling judged or embarrassed.
The Worry Monster concept encourages children to “feed” their worries to a monster after writing them down, drawing them or talking them through with an adult. Instructions suggest making or personalising a Worry Monster, discussing worries together, using the included worksheets to record them, and then placing the worry into the monster’s mouth, under a colouring sheet or inside a decorated envelope.
For home use, direct work, school wellbeing sessions or therapeutic conversations, the activity offers a playful way to externalise fears, encourage emotional expression and normalise anxious feelings. It can support children who struggle to talk openly, as well as teenagers who benefit from a private written prompt before discussion. The visible material also highlights emotional intelligence skills, including identifying, articulating and managing worries. Created by Edita Stiborova.
