It can be tricky to explain anxiety to a child. Not only are they mostly unaware of what's causing the bad feelings and the psychology behind them, but they also don't often have the vocabulary to explain it.
Unlike adults, who can usually understand the cause of anxiety (even if coping with and alleviating it is another story), children can find themselves stuck in a never-ending cycle of scary thoughts without any comfort that it's going to get better.
One of the best ways to explain anxiety to a child is through story time. Showing how fictional children, animals or other characters have dealt with scary feelings and come through the other side is a great way to show children that the bad feelings do pass eventually. If your child isn't one for story time or struggles to sit still through an entire book, anti-anxiety toys can also be a useful tool in times of comfort.
Many anxiety toys for kids make good use of comfort and distraction techniques. Some of these come in the form of weighted toys, similar to weighted blankets but in cute, snuggly designs with comforting animal faces. Others make good use of interesting textures and sounds, designed as a form of distraction to wave away those feelings of anxiety.
Some of the best anti-anxiety tools for kids combine both of the above, offering something to read and something to hold while encouraging the scary feelings to move on.
We've rounded up all of the best toys and books for kids with anxiety.
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Andie the Anxious Elephant + Andie & the Worries Book
Toys and books can separately be great at helping children with anxiety. But arguably the best solution comes from pairing both ideas together. This two-part set contains Andie the Anxious Elephant in plush form as well as the Andie & the Worries book to tackle anxiety at both fronts. The book illustrates how the protagonist deals with his concerns and by reading the story together, it will encourage littluns to overcome any seriously scary worries too. With the cuddly Andie on hand, it will remind them of this message once storytime is over.
Buy now £48.20, Etsy
Calm, Happy Kids: 23 Mindful Activities to Help Children Feel Calm, Focused and Happy
Calm, Happy Kids hits the midpoint between a book and a toy for children with anxiety. Bringing together 23 different activities for children to enjoy when they may begin to feel a little anxious, it’s versatile enough to benefit children of all ages and is a popular choice with parents of anxious kids.
The book acts as a brilliant guide to helping children learn to manage their emotions using mindfulness, meditation and breathwork, with ideas and activities split across four main sections: how to calm down when restless or fidgety, how to focus and concentrate, how to feel happier when facing difficulties, and how to prepare their mind and body for sleep.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
I Am Stronger Than Anxiety
Sometimes children can’t put a label on what they’re feeling. But, if your child is aware of their anxieties and is struggling to cope, I Am Stronger Than Anxiety is a great book for working on those feelings. This activity book captures children’s attention, provides kid-friendly entry points into understanding the essence of the feeling of anxiety, and is a perfect tool for educating them about how to overcome worries, fear and phobias with its lovely illustrations and a lightly rhyming storyline.
It provides tips and techniques on what to do when your children feel worried, nervous, anxious or scared and delivers important messages aimed at improving kids’ self-regulation skills.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
Ruby’s Worry: A Big Bright Feelings Book
Ruby’s Worry: A Big Bright Feelings Book is a great book for children with anxiety and acts as the perfect springboard for talking to children about sharing their hidden worries. A perceptive and poignant story that is a must-have for all children’s bookshelves, this is an essential read for discussing childhood worries and anxieties, no matter how big or small they may be. Designed for children aged between three and seven years, it makes a brilliant bookshelf addition for any child who finds themselves getting anxious.
Buy now £5.99, Amazon
LoveHugs 1.5kg Weighted Teddy Bear For Anxiety
A 1.5 kilo teddy might be slightly larger than your kids’ usual bedtime toy but this weighted toy works a little like a weighted blanket with the same reassurance in mind. A comforting figure with a cute smile to match, this LoveHugs Weighted Teddy Bear harnesses the power of weighted pressure stimulation with unique weight distribution.
In moments of anxiety like transitions, travel, bedtime, or anytime where a calming hug is needed, a LoveHugs cuddle can help reduce stress and anxiety and aid restful sleep. Its weighted pressure can also help with focus to help increase on-task behaviour, especially in kids with attention difficulties.
When placed on the lap like a weighted lap pad, this sloth toy makes a great study or work buddy, whilst also providing a calming presence.
Buy now £25.99, Amazon
Nestling Fidget Toys Pack
Sometimes, distractions can work best when it comes to tackling anxiety. And this Nestling Fidget Toys Pack guarantees at least some distraction in even the most struggling-to-keep-still kids. Made of high-quality ABS material that’s non-toxic and child-safe, this multi-pack will push their worries to one side with plenty of colours and textures to explore. The varied selection means you’re free to bring these toys out one at a time or carry them around with you for travelling purposes, too.
Buy now £10.99, Amazon
A Little Pocket Bear Hug v
It’s not always feasible to carry around a 1.5 kilo toy or a weighted blanket. Instead, opt for a smaller worry toy, like these cute pocket bears. Fitting into a palm of the hand (each bear is only 6cm tall) and designed to put a smile on the face of the person you care about, these bears are perfect for children with anxiety who may need a small but reassuring presence with them at all times. The bear can also come with a personalised message, ensuring each child that their pocket bear has been delivered specifically for them.
Buy now £9.99, Etsy
Mindfulness Positivity Pets
These individual, handmade positivity pets come in a cute matchbox house and a little personalised envelope containing care instructions all secured in a matching organza bag. While at a first glance they may look like colourful blobs of polymer clay, they’re designed to enhance a positive mindset and can be carried around in a pocket or kept in a school bag without taking up too much space.
Each positivity pet requires kindness and love every day along by holding them in the palm of your hand and sending them positive thoughts. They offer a lovely bedtime ritual that can aid a good night’s sleep for anxious children.
Buy now £5.99, Etsy
Sensory & Fidget Toy
This Sensory & Fidget Toy is effectively used in therapy for anxious children and those with extra needs. It’s also handily wrapped up and ready to roll out at a moment’s notice - no lengthly setting up process required. A great distraction for anxious children, it brings together a silicone chew fidget, a therapeutic crackle pouch, a stretchy tassel, a textured patch and a cloth hook and loop tab.
While this toy is usually used for children with Autism or adults with Dementia, it’s also recognised as being great at calming children down.
Buy now £64.00, Amazon
No Worries! Mindful Kids: An activity book for children who sometimes feel anxious
No Worries! is a mindfulness book that brings together a range of tools and activities to aid a calm mind. An interactive self-care activity book for children aged 7+ to colour and doodle their way to happiness, peace and confidence, this encouraging book features simple activities and exercises that tackle anxiety, sadness and stress. Children will enjoy using their creativity to combat negative feelings, work out why they feel worried and figure out how to put stress back in its place through writing, colouring, doodling and drawing.
Buy now £5.27, Amazon
Verdict
Some kids prefer toys, some kids prefer books. The best option? An anti-anxiety tool that combines both of the above. And that’s exactly what Andie the Anxious Elephant + Andie & the Worries Book offers.
