Kick It or Keep It - A Football-Themed Circle of Control Activity for Children and Teens

Help children learn to focus on what they can control, and let go of what they can't, with this engaging, football-inspired activity. Designed for children and teens, Kick It or Keep It brings mindfulness, emotional regulation, and resilience-building into a child-friendly, interactive format.

About This Resource

This printable activity uses a football goal metaphor to help children separate things they can control from those they can't. Children are invited to write things they can control inside the goal net, representing what they can keep and manage, and place things they can’t control on footballs around the net, which they’re encouraged to imagine “kicking away.” It’s a simple yet powerful way to teach emotional boundaries and reduce anxiety.

Features:

• Full-colour printable mat with football goal and football illustrations.

• Blank footballs to encourage reflection.

• One-paragraph instruction included directly on the mat.

• Designed for individual or small-group use.

• Ideal for classrooms, therapy settings, or at home.

Benefits:

• Builds emotional awareness and resilience.

• Teaches children to focus on what’s within their control, reducing anxiety.

• Supports self-regulation and stress management.

• Encourages a growth mindset.

• Makes learning fun through movement and metaphor.

How to Use:

Print the mat and cut out the footballs. Ask the child to think about different situations or worries they might be having. Encourage them to write things they can control in the goal net, such as their attitude, their effort, or their words. Then help them write things they can’t control on the footballs outside the goal, such as the weather, someone else's behaviour, or school rules. Invite the child to imagine kicking those unhelpful worries away, just like in a football match.

Kick It or Keep It is a creative, sporty resource that helps children understand boundaries, manage emotions, and build confidence in facing everyday challenges. With a hands-on approach and relatable theme, it’s a must-have for any emotional literacy toolkit. Become a member and download instantly!