Frustration Jar and Calm Plan
Make a glitter calm-down jar and create a visual plan for handling frustration — giving kids real tools for managing big feelings.
What You'll Need
- 1Clear jar or plastic bottle with tight lid
- 2Clear glue or glitter glue
- 3Glitter
- 4Warm water
- 5Food coloring (optional)
- 6Paper and crayons for calm plan
What You'll Need
A clear jar or plastic bottle with a tight-fitting lid
Clear glue or glitter glue (about 1/4 cup)
Glitter (fine glitter settles slower and looks better)
Warm water
Food coloring (optional — one drop of your child's favorite color)
Paper and crayons to draw the calm plan
How to Play
Fill the jar three-quarters with warm water and add a big squirt of clear glue. Stir.
Add glitter and a drop of food coloring. Seal the lid with strong glue so it won't leak.
Shake the jar together vigorously and watch the glitter whirl wildly.
Explain: "See the glitter spinning? That's what our brain feels like when we're really frustrated."
Set it down and watch: "Now watch the glitter settle. Our brain can settle just like that."
Draw a "calm plan" together — three pictures of strategies: deep breaths, hug a stuffed animal, go to the calm corner.
Practice the full sequence: shake the jar, breathe deeply, watch the glitter settle.
Why It Works
The glitter jar makes an invisible process visible. Frustration feels like chaos inside a child's brain, and watching the glitter storm is a perfect visual metaphor. The slow settling of glitter gives them something concrete to watch while their nervous system calms down. The calm plan adds structure — when you're overwhelmed, you need a recipe, not just the instruction to "calm down." Creating the plan during a calm moment means it's ready when the storm hits.
Tips
More glue = slower settling. Adjust the glue-to-water ratio until the glitter takes about 2-3 minutes to settle.
Use fine glitter for a calmer effect. Chunky glitter settles too fast.
Keep the jar accessible — on a low shelf or in the calm corner. Kids should be able to grab it independently.
Reference the jar in real moments: "I can see you're upset. Do you want to shake your calm jar?"
Age Adaptation Tips
Preschoolers can follow multi-step instructions. Ask open-ended questions and encourage them to predict what will happen next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 20 min, with 10 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: clear jar or plastic bottle with tight lid, clear glue or glitter glue, glitter, warm water, food coloring (optional), and 1 more item.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 3-5 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This activity has a moderate difficulty level. It may require some preparation or guidance, but is manageable for most families.
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