How to Make a Calm Down Kit for Kids with Autism

Wondering how to make a Calm Down Kit for Kids with Autism? Looking for Calm Down Box ideas? I’ve got you covered! I use Calm Down Boxes in my coaching programs all the time. They will be a valuable calming, sensory tool for your child or students. Calm Down Kits are easy to make and so helpful in regulating emotions and helping kids with autism calm down and focus. Make a sensory bin next!

What is a Calm Down Kit for kids with autism?

A calm down kit, also known as a calm down box or Calm Down Toolkit, is a box filled with a collection of items that will help your child calm down. It is best to adapt your box to your individual child’s interests, but I am sharing some of the items that I use regularly in Calm Down Kits below.

What should you put in your Calm Down kit for kids with autism?

There are so many useful items you can include in a calm down kit for kids. These are some of my favorite ideas.

60+ Things to Put in Your Calm Down Kit for Kids with Autism

Calming bottles
Flip books
Sensory boxes for autism
Bubbles
Bubble blower
Photos
Dried chickpeas
Experience books
A feather boa
Pompoms
Wooden toys
Autism worksheets
Quiet books
Cotton balls
Fidgets
Short books (I love to include board books, interactive books & more)
Activity books
Finger puppets
Autism chew toys
Clothespins
Yarn
Dried pasta
Moss

Related : Take a look at my complete list of the best sensory toys for autism.

Sticker books
Small puzzles
Flashlight
Mini photo albums
Mini sensory balls
Light up toys
Printable yoga cards or a yoga book
A bottle of water
Jump rope
Stress balls
Sensory Break Cards
Sticky tack (to squeeze)
Journal
Sensory bottles (such as this Ocean in a Bottle)
Spinning top
Resistance bands
Paperclips
Mini magnets & a small magnetic board
Printable indoor scavenger hunt
Wind-up toys
Stuffed animals
Etch-a-sketch
Play dough
Homemade slime
Sensory dough
Sensory ribbons
Sensory & tactile mini cushions
I Spy Bags
Mini busy board
Sponges
Small trains
Mini figurines
Music box
Small fan
Paper & markers
Fabrics scraps
Small stones
Shells

How to use a calm down kit for kids with your child with autism

When you feel that your child is starting to become frustrated help your child sit in a safe and comfortable place and interact with the calm down kit.
If your child has a tendency to get stressed regularly in certain situations or several times throughout the day, why not select a schedule and offer the calm down kit for kids to your child on the set schedule? For example, present the calm down kit every 3 hours or every 6 hours?
Use the calm down kit to make waiting time more fun. Kids with autism often have times during the week when they need to wait. This could be at the doctor’s office, while waiting to go into speech therapy or even in the car or online at the store. Why not use the calm down box during those waiting times? You could even offer part of the calm down kit for kids rather than the entire calm down kit if it’s more practical.
Sit with your child and engage them in the activities in the calm down box for kids.
Offer the calm down kit to your child while he or she spends some time alone.

Why are calm down kits for kids useful for kids with autism?

Autism and anxiety often co-exist. Many children with autism suffer from anxiety. Children with autism have a tendency to become overwhelmed particularly in situations that are overly stimulating or if the wait to do something is long. In this case, a calm down box can help reduce stress and turn your child’s mood around.

How to make a calm down kit for school

Follow the same steps to create a calm down tool kit for school, put make sure to use items that are appropriate for school and do not go against any of your child’s school guidelines.

How to use a calm down kit for students

Teachers can creates these kits too! As a teacher, why not use a kit with your students? You could hand them out when you sense that a student needs a calming break or even put aside time in your daily classroom schedule to hand out a calm down box to each person in the class.

How to use a calm down box on the go

Why not create a mini kit to use with your child on the go? This would be perfect to use in the car, while waiting at the doctor’s office or online at the grocery store.

Additional calm down activities for kids

In addition to using a calm down box, the following activities can help your child feel better too.

Drinking a glass of water.
Going for a walk.
Taking a nap.
Taking a bath.
Having a (gluten free) snack.

Include a calm down social story

If your child is more of a visual learner, which is often the case with individuals with autism, and has the level of comprehension to be able to understand a social story, you may consider using a social story in your child’s calm down box. I have a collection of social stories included in my Autism Activities Workbook Bundle.