Pack up your troubles in your old-kit bag and smile! – We may have come a long way since the day of war rhymes, but we definitely think they were onto something. Packing away our worries can be an extremely symbolic way of releasing our thoughts and fears. However, instead of smiling and getting on with it, we would recommend you use this resource as a discussion tool to manage worries more effectively.

About this resource:

Pack Away My Worries is a creative and calming activity designed for children ato help manage and ease anxiety. This activity empowers children to confront their worries and provides them with a tangible method to address and release their anxieties.

In this therapeutic activity for kids, children first write down their thoughts and worries on the squares, then, they cut them out and stick them to their worry case. Here, they have the option of sending their worries far, far away – either by visually imagining their worries disappearing or by talking about them with someone they trust.

Benefits

• Provides a sense of relief and reassurance. Helps children to realise that worries are better out than in.
• Offers a practical and engaging way for children to express and communicate their thoughts and fears. By writing down their worries, children are encouraged to articulate their anxieties, which can be an important step in understanding and managing them. This activity provides a safe and non-judgmental space for children to openly express their concerns.
• Promotes a sense of control and empowerment over anxiety. By visualising and symbolically packing their worries away in a suitcase, children are actively engaging in the process of letting go and releasing their anxieties. This imaginative exercise can help children develop a more positive and hopeful mindset, easing their anxiety and promoting emotional well-being.
• By associating worries with objects that can be packed away, children can externalise their anxieties and view them as something separate from themselves. This perspective shift can contribute to a sense of detachment and emotional distance from the worries, fostering a more positive and resilient mindset.

Parents, professionals, and teachers can utilise "Pack Away My Worries" as a valuable resource to help children with anxiety. It can be used in various settings, including home, school, or therapy environments, to support children in managing their worries and promoting emotional well-being.

In summary, Pack Away My Worries promotes self-expression, control, and empowerment, helping children communicate their anxieties and ease their worries. This resource is a valuable tool for parents, professionals, and teachers to support children with anxiety and promote emotional well-being.