Fill the Jars of Fear

Create and decorate several fear jars to hold written worries and brave action ideas, then practice coping strategies by picking one jar's slip daily.

To run Fill the Jars of Fear, set up several jars and let your child decorate and label them (for example, “Worries,” “Small Steps,” “Brave Ideas”). Help your child write worries on slips and matching coping steps on others, fold them, and place them in the right jars. Each day pick one slip, read it, and practice the action—deep breaths, role-play, or a small real-world step—then reflect briefly on the outcome.

Materials needed: several clean jars or containers, paper or index cards for slips, pens or pencils, stickers/paint/markers for decorating, labels or masking tape, and a small tray or box for lids. Optional items: a timer, a calming object (stress ball), and a printed list of coping strategies. Use child-safe scissors and non-toxic supplies, and choose containers appropriate to your child’s dexterity and age.

Suitable ages: Best for preschool and elementary children (about 4–11 years) with adult help for younger kids. Ages 4–6 need parent support writing slips and simplifying actions; ages 7–9 can contribute ideas and practice strategies with supervision; ages 10–11 can plan more complex steps and record reflections. For older teens, adapt the concept into a private journal or goal jars and increase autonomy.

Benefits: The activity builds emotional literacy by naming worries, promotes coping by turning anxiety into small, actionable steps, and creates a calm daily routine. It empowers children through achievable ‘brave’ actions, improves problem-solving and parent-child communication, and gradually increases resilience. Done consistently and supportively, it makes discussing difficult feelings safer and more constructive for the whole family.