This post is all about calm down corner ideas.
Calm Down Corner Ideas
Creating a Calm Down Corner in your home is a game-changer for helping young children navigate big emotions. Whether they’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or just need a moment to decompress, a designated calming space can make all the difference. Instead of escalating emotions, it encourages kids to take a break, breathe, and regain control in a soothing environment. With a few thoughtful touches and the right tools, you can transform a small space into a peaceful retreat that supports emotional regulation and self-soothing. Plus, with some simple printables and calming essentials, it’s easy to set up and maintain! In this post we will cover all of the calm down corner ideas, so you can create the perfect space for your little one to…calm down.
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Time Out Alternative – Calm Down Corner:
When toddlers and young kids throw temper tantrums, it’s often not a sign of bad behavior but rather a sign that their little brains are struggling to process big emotions. Instead of resorting to time-outs, which can feel isolating and even punitive, offering a Calm Down Corner provides a more supportive and constructive approach.
A Calm Down Corner gives your child a safe space to pause, gather their thoughts, and work through their big feelings in a way that fosters emotional intelligence. It’s not about punishment, it’s about creating an environment where they can learn how to self-regulate and practice coping strategies. Whether they’re feeling angry, sad, or just plain overwhelmed, guiding them to this special spot shows that it’s okay to have big emotions and that there are healthy ways to handle them.
Incorporating items like soft pillows, sensory toys, calming visuals, and comforting textures can make the space inviting and effective. Adding some positive affirmation printables and visual cues for deep breathing can also remind them of ways to calm themselves down. The goal is to empower your child to take control of their emotions without feeling shamed or dismissed.
Calm Down Corner Ideas: How to Set Up a Calm Down Corner
There are several factors to consider when designing and setting up your calm down corner. (Also commonly referred to as a “Cozy Corner”. Let’s discuss some key elements to consider.
Choosing The Right Location
When choosing the location for your calm down corner, look for a quiet and low traffic area of your home. For example, if there are multiple kids in your home, you wouldn’t want to put the calm down corner in an area where other kids are going to be running around and playing.
Depending on the specific conditions in your home, the corner of a bedroom, living room, or even playroom can work perfectly.
Making It Cozy and Inviting
We will get into specific suggestions later in this post, but in general, consider adding plush rugs, a comfortable chair/bean bag, pillows and soft blankets. It could also be helpful to incorporate calming colors and lighting.
Personalizing the Space
Like most things, your child is likely to be more receptive to the idea if you involve them in the process. Allow them to help pick some of the items out. Include them in the design and set-up process. Also, include a favorite stuffed animal in the space so they have a “friend” to sit with.
Calm Down Corner Ideas – Must-Have Essentials for Your Calm Down Corner
Creating a functional Calm Down Corner is all about making a safe and soothing space where kids can relax and regroup when their emotions feel just too big to handle. To make it truly effective, it’s important to include a few key items that promote comfort, relaxation, and emotional regulation. From cozy seating to sensory tools and calming visuals, these essentials will help your child feel supported as they work through their feelings.
Whether you’re setting up a dedicated nook in their bedroom or just carving out a small spot in the living room, having the right items on hand makes all the difference. Plus, these must-haves are practical, affordable, and easy to find on Amazon, so you can create a peaceful space without breaking the bank. Let’s explore the top items to include to make your Calm Down Corner a success!
Sensory Toys
Express Your Feelings Sensory Bottles
- EMOTIONS FOR TODDLERS: Give children a quiet, hands-on way to identify their emotions and resolve their feelings. Help children use facial and body clues to make connections between their own feelings and the expressions on the bottles.
- EMOTIONAL REGULATION FOR KIDS: Each engaging bottle is uniquely designed with its own facial expression, color, and interactive element that embodies a different feeling. The contents of each bottle represent the feeling shown on its face.
- MINDFULNESS FOR KIDS: Children choose the bottle that represents how they feel and then shake, swirl, and rotate the bottle to help them manage their feelings. Collect all the Express Your Feelings Sensory Bottles!
- COZY CORNER FOR KIDS CLASSROOM: These sensory bottles are perfect tool to help children self-regulate and to spark conversations about their feelings and those of the people around them!
Squishy Fidget Sensory Toys
- PERFECT SENSORY TOY – It is a great fidget pack for any ages, toddlers, kids, students, adults, olderrs, that is suitable for reducing stress and anxiety, helping to develop focus and concentration, adding more fun especially those with ADD/ OCD, autism, or high anxiety levels.
- QUIET FIDGETS FOR CLASSROOM – those sensory autism products are very quiet, you can give them to your child, or students in any setting and it’s going to be silent, and not distract other people. In the classroom, those quiet squishy fidget bags, help students keep their hands busy, but their minds focus. It helps with coping skills for anxiety as well.
- CALMING TOOLS FOR AUTISM – These squishy fidget toys help students calm down in any type of environment, really help kids who just need to focus a little bit and who need to calm down to get their mind and body ready to learn. Also perfect for kindergarten’ calm down corners.
Push Peel Sensory Activity Board
- SCREEN-FREE PEACE – Offer parents a quiet, clean, screenless alternative for keeping kids occupied in public spaces like planes, cars, waiting rooms, or restaurants, ensuring a peaceful, calming experience on the go. No mess, travel-friendly, and silent, it comes with a convenient travel bag for effortless portability.
- COPYRIGHT + PATENT PENDING – Thoughtfully designed and tested to provide a therapeutic, satisfying, and productive activity suitable for individuals across generations, from preschoolers to seniors.
- COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT – Stimulate cognitive growth across all ages with the open-ended, hands-on approach. Its unique design encourages creative, imaginative problem-solving, making it an ideal STEM Toy inspired by Montessori principles. Beneficial for individuals with Autism, ADHD, ADD, and OCD.
- STRESS RELIEF – Ease stress and anxiety with the relaxing, engaging sensorial activity board. Its superior play longevity, tactile features, and mesmerizing design provide a calming, creative outlet, fostering a sense of accomplishment and soothing ASMR sensations, perfect for channeling nervous energy.
Color Sorting Sensory Toy
- 【Fine Motor Color Sorting Toys】 Flower-shaped color sorting toys that classify colors by squeezing and pressing different colored rubber beads and place them into the correct color to complete the color matching game. The educational tool are suitable for toddlers 3 4 5 years old and help them learn different colors, and early math. Through playing this lovely matching game, little kids can also enhance the fine motor skill and hand-eye coordination.
- 【Preschool Learning Activity】 This educational montessori sensory toy makes fun for kids ages 1-3 to learn counting & number and improve color recognition while playing. The toddler learning toy keeps kids busy on sorting and matching colors and keep them quiet and focused for hours. Great teaching tools for preschool teachers!
- 【Sensory Calm Down Item】 These sensory squishy toys are filled with gel and the colored beads are made of ultra soft rubber, provide a superior sensory experience for 1+year old. When kids are having big feelings, pushing the colored beads is a tactile, calming experience that helps them regain control of their feelings. Especially meet the special needs of children with autism and ADHD OCD / ADD, this sensory item provide a calming effect and help promote focus and relaxation. Ideal toys to put in preschool classroom calm down corner for autistic children.
Visual Aids
Breathing Pal ‘Ted’- Mindfulness Breathing Light
- 3 Breathing Exercises – Whether you’re looking to relax, focus, or sleep, our device offers three effective breathing techniques to suit your needs. Choose from the 4-7-8 breathing for alleviating anxiety relief, the 4-4-4-4 Box Breathing for heighten focus, or the 5-5 breathing for relaxing mood. Each mode guides you through the breathing pattern with intuitive light cues, making it easy to achieve mindfulness
- Everyday Use for All Ages – This versatile device isn’t just for relaxation; its cute design makes it a great addition to any space. Place it on your bedside table for a better night’s sleep, use it as an office decor piece to enhance your workspace, set it in the living room to create a calming atmosphere. Designed with both adults and children in mind, it’s the perfect multi-purpose anxiety relief device for everyday well-being
- Perfect Calm Corner Companion – Create a peaceful and supportive environment in school calm corners. Breathing Pal helps students manage stress and emotions with guided breathing exercises, offering a calming break for better focus and emotional regulation during the school day
See My Feelings Mirror
- EMOTIONS FOR TODDLERS: Help children learn to label and identify emotions with the See My Feelings Mirror! Make learning feelings fun with easy-to-identify emojis and snap-in-place emotion slides that feature 6 core emotions.
- SOCIAL SKILLS ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: This lively, interactive learning tool will help children build a foundation for managing their feelings, working through everyday challenges, and building strong friendships.
- COZY CORNER FOR KIDS CLASSROOM: Featuring diverse photos of real children showing real emotions, this high-quality, child-safe mirror helps children recognize and identify with different pictured emotions in themselves and others.
- ANXIETY RELIEF ITEMS FOR KIDS: Snap-in-place emotion slides feature the core emotions Happy, Angry, Surprised, Silly, Scared, and Sad. Children will love the bright, cheerful colors and easy-to-hold chunky grip.
Calming Strategies Cards
- Learning Made Fun: Make learning fun—anywhere, anytime—with Carson Dellosa’s Be Clever Wherever Things on Rings Calming Strategies! This portable set is packed with everything you need to support positive thinking/communication, meditation, and more.
- What’s Included: The set comes equipped with 16 vibrant, pre-punched social-emotional reference flash cards and a book ring to take your flash cards on-the-go.
- Social-Emotional Skills: Kids learn (and practice!) essential skills such as breathing techniques, yoga poses, basic calming strategies, and much more.
My Mood My Choices Flip Book
- EDUCATIONAL TOOL. Teach kids about different moods/emotions and positive actions that can be taken in a fun and educational way. **REVISED DESIGN has new images and actions kids can take**.
- 20 DIFFERENT MOODS ARE INCLUDED. Angry, bored, confident, confused, disappointed, embarrassed, excited, frustrated, grumpy, guilty, happy, hopeful, hungry, sad, scared, shy, sick, sleepy, stressed, and worried. Kids will enjoy flipping to the character that expresses their current mood, and the corresponding positive choices that can be taken.
- LAMINATED PAGES. Every page is laminated and is easy to wipe off. A built-in stand is included. The flipbook “with tabs” measures 9 x 9 inches (sorted by positive emotions, neutral emotions, and negative emotions). The large size measures 6.75 x 6.75 inches. The small (travel) size measures 4.5 x 4.5 inches and is perfect for the car ride, backpack, and timeout corner
- BLANK SPACE TO WRITE IN OWN ACTIONS. The flipbook with tabs has a blank space at the bottom for kids to write in their own positive action they can take (a dry erase marker is not included).
- HELPFUL LEARNING AID. This is a helpful learning tool for ANY child, particularly those in preschool, kindergarten and elementary school. Also, the flipbook is helpful for children with Autism, ADHD, or special needs. It’s perfect for displaying at home, school, and counseling offices.
Comfort Items
BIRDROCK HOME Adjustable 14-Position Memory Foam Floor Chair for Kids
- UNIVERSAL USE: the chair gives you a variety of options for how to use it. Allows you to read your latest book, meditate comfortably on the floor or play board games with your family! Great for adding extra seating when friends and family come over to watch the game! Perfect for kids playing games, reading, coloring, or playing
- ADJUSTABLE 14-POSITION DESIGN: This memory foam floor chair can be easily adjusted into 14 different positions, allowing you to lay flat for naps, lounge for movies, or sit upright for games and reading.
- COMFORTABLE MEMORY FOAM: High-quality chopped memory foam conforms to your body, providing a ideal seat on any floor. Dimensions when flat: 21.25” W x 41.25” D x 6” H.
- VERSATILE USE: Ideal for kids and teenagers, this chair can be used for gaming, reading, meditation, or as extra seating during gatherings. In the 90° position, it measures 19” W x 23” D x 22.5” H.
- EASY STORAGE: Lay the chair completely flat to store under beds or couches, or stack multiple chairs for convenient storage. The chair weighs 10.5 lbs, making it easy to move and store.
2-in-1 Soft Toddler Couch Fold Out
- Unique Design and Perfect Gift: Children are often dino lovers. We believe this unique adorable dinosaur design will be a hit with kids. A great gift idea for Christmas, birthday and Children’s Day
- Kids Couch Flip Open Design: The 2 in 1 flip open sofa easily convert into lounger. Idear for kids reading, watching, playing. Simply pull out in seconds to use as a comy nap pad for sleeping and relaxing. Recommended for 18 months and older
- High Density Foam and Washable Cover: High-density memory foam provides sturdy support for the toddler couch. The cover is made of soft, breathable teddy fleece fabric that is skin-friendly and comfortable, easy to remove and machine washable
- Lightweight and Portable: The fold out toddler couch is lightweight and has a handle enough to move around the house. Great for living room, bedroom, playroom! Take the kids sofa camping in summer or visiting grandparents, as a soft bed for kids to sleep
- Pre-Assembled: Our toddler chair is vacuum-packed and pre-assembled. Just open and wait for full shape. You will get a cute and comfy kids chair
CordaRoy’s Faux Fur Bean Bag Chair
- Convertible Bean Bag & Mattress: Experience versatility with CordaRoy’s convertible bean bag chair, transforming from plush seating to a bed for a bedroom or dorm
- Youth Bean Bag Dimensions: Measuring 32″ in diameter, this youth size bean bag chair is the ideal size for relaxing or reading; convert to a youth bed for restful sleep
- Soft Faux Fur Fabric: Our faux fur fabric is soft-spun polyester that adds a touch of style and offers a plush, soft feel you’ll love
- Washable & Durable Bean Bag Chair: Enjoy the convenience of a removable and machine-washable cover, making it simple to maintain your bean bag cover
GentleSoft Cozy Soft Blanket
- Ultra Soft: This striped flannel fleece blanket is crafted with premium microfiber that delivers an ultra fluffy, soft, and plush feel, creating an irresistibly cozy experience. Perfect for enhancing your bedding and adding subtle charm to your boho decor.
- Gift-Ready: This chic blanket makes for outstanding birthday gifts for women, gifts for women, mothers day gifts, mothers day gifts for mom, and gifts for mom. Its fuzzy texture and timeless appeal offer a thoughtful present that delivers warmth and comfort.
- Warm Yet Lightweight: This fuzzy blanket strikes the ideal balance between warmth and lightness. Whether you’re relaxing on the couch or enhancing your bedroom decor and elegant room decor, its soft touch ensures everyday comfort.
THE COMFY Dream Jr Wearable Blanket
- The Original Wearable Blanket As Seen on Shark Tank: This product is protected by Transparency by Amazon which verifies each unit’s authenticity. When you buy The Comfy, you’re getting the patented wearable blanket that made wearable blankets a thing! Invented by two brothers who pitched the concept to ABC’s Shark Tank and received backing from Barbara Corcoran.
- Fun and Functional: We’re the brand that launched a world-wide craze and made wearing your blanket a thing. The Comfy DreamTM wearable blanket is a single layer of luscious microfiber that’s so soft, you’ll feel like you’re wearing a baby blanket. Its silk-like feeling and lightness makes it perfect for wearing around the house, or even to take with you when you need your warmth to travel. Bring it to the next outdoor barbeque, camping trip, beach, drive-in, sleepover or wear it to school!
Kids Fluffy Fuzzy Plush Carpet (Multiple Color Options Available)
- Ultra Soft & Non-slip: Featuring a shaggy carpet surface, the Ophanie soft area rug is highly soft with a high-density sponge interlayer. This rug effectively reduces shedding, and the non-slip bottom with small, durable anti-slip dots enhances friction to prevent sliding.
- The Style That Works: This rug is well-suited for an overlaid look, an essential design component of hygge (a Danish concept that embodies warmth and coziness). Layering rugs can be effective in rooms with minimal furniture, adding a touch of warmth and style.
Kitty Reading Pillow
- Customizable Comfort: Filled with premium shredded foam, this backrest pillow contours to your back, arms, and waist for superior support while you read, watch TV, gaming or work on your laptop. Adjust the firmness easily by removing foam through the bottom zipper.
- Adorable and Functional: The Blissful Diary Kitty Reading Pillow features an adorable cat design that adds a playful and whimsy touch to any room. Covered with plush, luxurious fabric, this back pillow for bed sitting up offers irresistible comfort and support.
- Easy to Clean: The removable cover of the Kitty Reading Pillow is machine washable, making it easy to keep your back support pillow looking and feeling fresh. When enjoying snacks and drinks with the reading pillow you don’t need to worry about stains.
30” Giant Dachshund Dog Plush Stuffed Animal (Multiple Options Available).
- 🐶【Unique Design Gaint Dachshund Dog Plush】Auspicious beginning presents cute Dachshund Dog stuffed animal is super soft and fat, the cute red panda plushie is 30 inch long. It is big and round cotton fills every area and is very plump. Its chubby body makes it perfect for cuddling. Delicately embroidered with black round eyes, a small nose, and an interesting under-eye circles, this kawaii plushies exudes an adorable appeal. Your little one will love this red panda plushies for its adorable charm.
Teaching Your Child to Use the Calm Down Corner
Setting up a Calm Down Corner is a fantastic first step, but it’s just as important to teach your child how and when to use it. The goal is to make it a positive, comforting space—not a place of punishment or isolation. To do that, you’ll need to guide your child through the process and model how to use it effectively.
Modeling the Behavior
Kids learn by example, so start by demonstrating how to use the Calm Down Corner yourself. The next time you’re feeling a bit stressed or overwhelmed, say something like, “I need a few minutes to calm down. I’m going to my Calm Down Corner to take some deep breaths.” By modeling the behavior, you’re showing your child that it’s okay to take a break when emotions run high.
Role-Playing Scenarios
Before expecting your child to use the space independently, practice using it together when everyone is calm. Role-play scenarios where you pretend to feel frustrated or upset and show how you would go to the Calm Down Corner to relax and reset. Then, switch roles and let your child practice. This way, they’ll know exactly what to do when real emotions arise.
Positive Reinforcement
Celebrate your child’s efforts when they choose to use the Calm Down Corner on their own. Offer words of encouragement like, “I’m so proud of you for taking a break to calm down.” Positive reinforcement helps reinforce the idea that the Calm Down Corner is a safe, helpful place rather than a form of punishment.
Make It Routine
Encourage your child to use the Calm Down Corner regularly, even when they aren’t feeling overly emotional. Maybe they just need a quiet moment to themselves or a break from sensory overload. The more they use it as a comforting space, the more naturally they’ll turn to it when they’re truly upset.
Conclusion
Creating a Calm Down Corner is a powerful way to help your child learn how to manage big emotions in a safe and supportive environment. Instead of seeing their feelings as something to be punished or ignored, they can recognize them as natural and practice healthy coping skills. By providing a cozy, inviting space filled with calming tools and positive affirmations, you’re giving your child the gift of emotional regulation and self-soothing.
I hope this guide has inspired you to create a Calm Down Corner in your home. Be sure to check out the printables I’ve created to help make your space even more effective, and browse my favorite calming essentials linked throughout this post. Your little one will soon have the perfect spot to find their calm and feel empowered to manage their emotions!
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About Mom-Thoughts
Hi, I’m Heather! I’m the proud mom of one beautiful, wonderfully weird, and hilariously sassy little girl (seriously, the sass is unmatched!). After losing both of my parents before my daughter was born, I often found myself navigating motherhood without the advice and support I so desperately needed.
Add to that the constant presence of mom-shamers lurking around every corner, and it can feel nearly impossible to be appreciated for the rock star of a woman you truly are.
That’s why at Mom-Thoughts, we’re all about embracing what works best for you and your family—no judgment, no shame. We believe in real, down-to-earth parenting that prioritizes you too, Mama, because taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your little ones.
So, welcome to the club. You belong here. <3
