This blog has been updated from the original August 26, 2022 post.

As a Therapist in San Marcos, CA I often use Art Therapy with kids who struggle with anxiety. Through my work as a credentialed Art Therapist in San Diego I offer a variety of materials when my clients are creating art in a therapy session. Here are some of my favorite art supplies that I find helpful for a child’s anxiety.

Making art at home can be very therapeutic for your child, and you, especially after a long day. It can be both relaxing and energizing at the same time. Using your five senses can help calm your body and mind. Art materials offer qualities that help people connect with their senses.

Helping Your Anxious Child Be More Playful

Scented Markers

Scented markers, easily engage the sense of smell. Any brand will work, but I like Mr. Sketch Brand. They come in washable and non-washable varieties, with thin & wide tips. If you want to support a local, San Diego-based company, Ooly, also makes some great scented markers.

Kids seem to enjoy using these markers, anxious and non-anxious alike. Scented markers provide lots of sensory stimulation with varied aromas and the saturation of bright colors. I think the novelty of scented markers sometimes gets anxious children out of their heads and helps them to be more playful. I sometimes pair these markers with air-dry clay, but mainly use them just for drawing.

Helping Your Anxious Child Be in the Present Moment

White Air-Dry Clay

I like Crayola Model Magic brand clay for numerous reasons. I began buying this clay in the large tub years ago. The thing is this is air-dry clay. Once you open that large tub and expose it to air, it’s hard to keep it soft. I prefer to buy a “class pack” filled with small, individual packages. Then when your child uses the clay, you’re only opening one small package. If they don’t make something immediately, it can be put in an airtight container and will remain pliable for quite some time, but it will never really be as soft as when the package was newly opened.

I find that many, but not all kids who feel anxious, calm down in therapy when I offer them a small package of clay. They may not make a thing, but by simply squeezing it, stretching it, and rolling it, they become more present and relaxed. It’s something that engages their sense of touch. You can use clay at home in this way as well.

This particular brand of clay doesn’t adhere to hands, clothes, or carpets like many other clays or doughs, making it more suitable for use in a variety of settings. I’ve used it in hospitals, schools, offices, kitchens, and living rooms. It was the only clay I was allowed to use with patients in a medical setting.

If your child does use the clay to create something, it will typically dry in 2-3 days. Dry meaning, it will no longer be pliable. This clay is lightweight, and it will never feel hard like clay that you bake in an oven. This white clay can be “painted” with markers or paints after drying, or color can be added to the clay and mixed in while it’s pliable.

Another great thing about this clay is it’s portable. Those small portioned, packages are easy to take with you and can be used as a calming object for an anxious child or you.

Helping your Anxious Child Expand Their Expression

Erasable Coloring pencils

Sometimes kids who struggle with anxiety can have perfectionistic tendencies. This can show up when they are creating art. They may be erasing a lot to get it just right, so if they can’t erase, they may stick with only using a #2 pencil. Providing coloring pencils that can be erased does help expand the expression for kids who become anxious about mistakes.

I like the Crayola, 24-pack of erasable coloring pencils, but I’m sure other brands would be great too. The one thing I have noticed with erasable coloring pencils is they don’t shade as brightly as a standard coloring pencil. A regular coloring pencil can be used, over the erasable coloring pencil to brighten it up.

Sometimes when children are feeling anxious or worried, you might notice that they put a lot of pressure on a pencil. I find these coloring pencils hold up to the pressure and sharpen well. You may be wondering what sense is engaged with coloring pencils. I think the sound of the shading can be soothing. Additionally, you can print out a circular design or pattern that a child could focus on, and just color, not having to think about what to draw.

Helping Your Anxious Child Unwind and Relax

Paints

Painting to the rhythm of a song can be a very relaxing activity for you and your child. However, painting at home with kids may stir up your anxiety. I use paints with kids in therapy offices where there are couches and carpets. I like Pelikan Gouache Pan Sets. The paint comes in sets of 12 or 24 colors. These are like thick watercolor paints, that can be used opaquely, or thinned with water to be more transparent. They last an incredibly long time. When used opaquely, the colors are rich and bright like other paints, with the easy clean-up of watercolors.

I’ve used these mainly for watercolor painting, but they also are a more portable, washable, and contained alternative to acrylic paints. Paints engage the senses on a visual level. You can add to the calming effect, by putting on some calming music or nature sounds while your child paints. They can simply make strokes, with the music, across the page.

Helping Your Anxious Child Feel Comfortably in Control While Creating

Comfortable Brushes

Last, but not least, paint brushes that kids enjoy using with those paints. Royal & Langnickel Gripper Brushes are made for kids. Their shorter brush is comfortable to hold, and they have a grip as well. These can be used with the paints mentioned above, with acrylic paints, and to paint dry clay. I think these brushes are a bit less frustrating for kids, because of the grip and the length.

I hope this short list will help to guide you in what art materials might be helpful at home. I’m not affiliated with any of these products. I just wanted to share!

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