Practical and enjoyable exercises for children to improve self-discipline: A collection of games, worksheets, and resources designed for home or school settings, available as a PDF document titled "21 Impulse Control Activities for Kids".
Impulsivity in kids can sometimes be a natural stage of growth and development, but it can also pose challenges in their everyday lives and for those around them. Understanding and teaching impulse control is crucial for a child's development, as it will boost their potential to construct better decisions as they develop as teenagers and grow through adulthood.
Games and Activities for Impulse Control
Classic Games
Classic games like Simon Says and Freeze Dance require children to listen carefully and stop or start actions based on specific cues, helping them inhibit impulsive responses and develop self-regulation.
Waiting Games
Waiting games such as taking turns or playing I Spy teach patience and the ability to manage impulses by focusing attention and delaying immediate action.
Mindfulness Activities
Mindfulness activities like mindful breathing, eating snacks slowly with full attention, or sensory games such as the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise enhance awareness of impulses and promote calm control.
Board Games
Board games like Connect 4 and Mousetrap encourage strategic thinking and planning, requiring children to control impulsive moves and make thoughtful decisions.
Role-Playing Games
Role-playing games and quick role plays stimulate social and cognitive flexibility, helping children practice impulse control in social contexts.
Physical Activities
Physical activities like obstacle courses or scavenger hunts require patience and controlled movement to complete tasks carefully, reinforcing impulse management.
Creative Tasks
Creative tasks such as coloring, puzzles, or doodling emotions foster focus and patience, building the ability to resist rushing through tasks.
Specialized Activities and Worksheets
"Impulse Control Traffic Light" Game
This game teaches kids the importance of thinking before acting, using the familiar concept of traffic lights.
"The No Talking Game"
This game helps kids focus on their awareness of their overall environment and to withhold their impulse to talk or move out of their seat.
Self-Control Role Play
This activity allows kids to practice self-control in a safe environment by identifying scenarios that may require self-control.
Secret Keeper Game
This game requires kids to maintain a secret while interacting with others, thereby practicing self-control and restraint.
"If... Then" Scripts
This activity helps kids navigate risky situations by using self-instructions like "if...then" or "when...then".
Deep Breathing for Self-Control
This technique helps kids calm their minds and bodies, improving their ability to manage impulses and emotions.
"Self-Control Worksheets for Elementary Students"
These provide activities and worksheets to help students think about and practice strategies to become more reflective (vs. impulsive).
"How to Create a Calm-Down Corner"
This guide offers tips and ideas for creating a space where kids can go to calm down and regulate their emotions.
"I Am in Control of Myself" Books
These books explore impulse control through a set of stories, with teaching tips and post-reading questions to help kids understand what they could do differently.
"Anger Management Activities for Kids"
These provide fun and effective ways for kids to manage their anger and express their feelings in a healthy way.
"Impulse Control Workbook"
This workbook is packed with fun and engaging worksheets and activities to help kids explore self-control, learn to wait patiently, and manage impulses.
"Don't Eat the Marshmallow" Game
This game tests a child's ability to think over the pros and cons of acting on their initial desire.
Impulse Control Worksheet
This worksheet includes several activities that challenge kids' urge to say something immediately and instead follow instructions.
"Wobble Chairs & Other Alternative Seating Ideas for Kids with ADHD"
This resource offers seating options that can help kids with ADHD stay focused and engaged in their learning.
"Social Skills Activities for Kids"
These activities help kids develop social skills, such as empathy, communication, and cooperation.
Personal Space Activity
This activity helps children understand and respect personal boundaries by physically demonstrating the appropriate distance to maintain from others.
Raise and Speak
This turn-taking activity mirrors how a real class works, helping kids practice self-control in a familiar setting.
Taboo Game
This game challenges kids to describe a word without using certain "taboo" words listed on the card, helping them practice self-control by requiring them to think carefully and avoid impulsively saying the forbidden words.
"Fun Attention Games for Kids"
These games can help kids improve their attention and focus.
"Mindfulness Activities for Kids"
These activities help kids learn to focus on the present moment and develop mindfulness skills.
"10 ADHD Strengths" (Printable PDF for Kids)
This resource highlights the strengths associated with ADHD, such as creativity, adaptability, and passion.
"Extra Pocket Money"
This impulse control activity for older kids involves them being given extra money to decide whether to spend it immediately or save it for later.
Other Impulse Control Activities & Worksheets (in Amazon)
These offer additional resources for helping kids manage their impulses and make better choices.
- Mindful breathing exercises and eating snacks slowly with full attention, in addition to playing games like Simon Says and Freeze Dance, can help children develop awareness of impulses and promote calm control, essential for managing impulse control.
- Board games such as Connect 4 and Mousetrap, and creative tasks like coloring and puzzles, are useful for teaching strategic thinking, planning, and focus, all of which are crucial for controlling impulsive actions and enhancing personal growth.
- The "Impulse Control Traffic Light" game, "Self-Control Worksheets for Elementary Students," and "Don't Eat the Marshmallow" game are all effective tools for teaching kids the importance of thinking before acting, self-control, and delaying gratification to support their mental health and social skills development.
