The Resilience Workbook for Kids Bonus Activities and Worksheets
Bonus Activities
and Worksheets
So, you still want more? Check out these three
bonus activities just for you.
You’ll also find downloadable versions of the
“Challenge Your Thoughts“ and
“My Coping Strategies“ worksheets in this PDF.
© 2022 Caren Baruch-Feldman and Rebecca Comizio / New Harbinger Publications.
Permission is granted to the reader to reproduce this form for personal use.
The Resilience Workbook for Kids Self-Compassion Break
ACTIVITY
Self-Compassion Break
1
One of the most powerful ways to build resilience is to be compassionate, meaning kind and loving to
yourself. When Caren needed to build her own resilience, the self-compassion break described below
really helped her cope and grow from the challenges she faced. We hope you find this helpful too.
To get started, try to think of something that is difficult or causing you
stress right now. To start, don’t choose the worst or most difficult situation,
but one that is causing you some discomfort.
Thinking of that situation, say to yourself: “In this
moment, a part of me is struggling.” Or, you might choose to
say, “This feels yucky,” or maybe, “I am having a moment of stress.”
Now say to yourself: “This kind of struggle is a part of life.” Or, “To be human
means to struggle.” You might choose to say, “Other kids feel this way too,” or
“I’m not alone with this feeling,” or “All kids feel this at some time or another…!”
Now, offer yourself a kind and soothing, supportive touch—maybe a hand
on your heart or any other gesture that feels right for you. Try it now. Feel the
warmth of your hand coming through to your body.
Now, say to yourself: “May I be kind to myself.” Talk to yourself as you
would talk to a good friend who is going through a difficult time. You
could say, “I’m here for you,” or “It will be okay.” You can even use your
name and say, for example, “Caren, or Rebecca, I feel for you.”
How did it feel to comfort yourself in this way? Did anything change when you put your hand on your
heart? Can you think of a situation where this would be useful to you?
Try a self-compassion break the next time you face a difficult situation that requires resilience.
© 2022 Caren Baruch-Feldman and Rebecca Comizio / New Harbinger Publications.
Permission is granted to the reader to reproduce this form for personal use.
The Resilience Workbook for Kids RAIN
ACTIVITY
RAIN
2
Here’s another exercise to strengthen your resilience. It’s one of our favorites when you need help
facing a setback, failure, or obstacle, especially one that’s out of your control. It’s called RAIN. Use
the RAIN acronym to help you face challenges, grow from them, and build your resilience. We gave
you an example to help you see how you can use it.
RAIN
R. Recognize what is happening to you.
I am going through a hard time because my father had to go away.
A. Allow the experience to be what it is, even if you don’t like it.
I don’t like that he is leaving. I’m going to miss him so much.
I. Investigate how you are feeling with interest, kindness, and self-care.
I notice that I am feeling sad. I’m also feeling angry at him for leaving.
N. Nurture yourself with kindness.
I am going to take care of myself by spending extra time with my grandparents.
I will also talk about this with my counselor.
After the RAIN, take a moment to notice how you feel. We hope you feel that the rain is raining
less severely.
© 2022 Caren Baruch-Feldman and Rebecca Comizio / New Harbinger Publications.
Permission is granted to the reader to reproduce this form for personal use.
The Resilience Workbook for Kids The Superpower Puppet Show
ACTIVITY
The Superpower Puppet Show
3
(Complete this activity with your special adult.)
Are you enjoying all these exercises? Here is the last, last one. With your special adult, create a
superpower puppet show. Pick from the most common strengths (superpowers) listed below.
Love Creativity Humor Perseverance
Kindness Curiosity Bravery
Ask yourself, Which one of these is my strength? Have your special adult do the same. Then use your
strengths to design your puppets and create your show.
To create your superpower puppet show:
Step 1. Make a superpower puppet for yourself.
Step 2. Have your special adult create their own.
Step 3. Create a puppet show where the puppets use their superpowers to help themselves
and others. You can make the puppets using paper bags, socks, or anything else you can
imagine. If creativity is your superpower, make your puppet super creative.
Step 4: Share your show with others, either in-person or by recording a video. Encourage
others to create their own superpower puppet shows.
How did it feel to do this exercise? Did it feel good to talk about and use your strength? Was it fun to
connect with your special adult around your strengths?
© 2022 Caren Baruch-Feldman and Rebecca Comizio / New Harbinger Publications.
Permission is granted to the reader to reproduce this form for personal use.
The Resilience Workbook for Kids Challenge Your Thoughts Worksheet
Challenge Your Thoughts Worksheet
Emotion(s)
Positive
Thought(s)
Neutral or
Positive
What Would
I Say to a
Friend?
Helpful?
Is It
What Is the
Evidence?
Thought(s)
Negative
Emotion(s)
Negative
Situation
© 2022 Caren Baruch-Feldman and Rebecca Comizio / New Harbinger Publications.
Permission is granted to the reader to reproduce this form for personal use.
The Resilience Workbook for Kids My Coping Strategies
My Coping Strategies
When you are having a tough day or facing a challenge, choose a coping strategy from the treasure
chest below. Ask yourself, Does it make me feel better? If not, choose another one. Feel free to add
your own coping skills to the chest too.
talking to an adult
playing a sport
reaching out to a friend
journaling
drawing
playing with a pet
baking or cooking
listening to music
taking a bath
visualizing a calm place
exercising
going outside
taking a deep breath
distracting yourself
playing an instrument
volunteering
© 2022 Caren Baruch-Feldman and Rebecca Comizio / New Harbinger Publications.
Permission is granted to the reader to reproduce this form for personal use.
The Resilience Workbook for Kids Bonus Activities and Worksheets
Amazing reader, thank you again for all your
hard work, bravery, and resilience.
Your captains,
Caren and Rebecca
The Resilience Workbook for Kids Endnotes
Endnotes
Activity 1: Self-Compassion Break
1. This activity is adapted from K. D. Neff and C. Germer, The Mindful Self-Compassion
Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive (New York:
Guilford Press, 2018).
Activity 2: RAIN
2. T. Brach, V. Dawson, K. Barron, S. Domet, C. Willard, M. Maldonado, E. Goldstein, Mindful
Staff, and C. O. Gerszberg, “Feeling Overwhelmed? Remember RAIN,” Mindful, February 7,
2019, https://www.mindful.org/tara-brach-rain-mindfulness-practice/.
© 2022 Caren Baruch-Feldman and Rebecca Comizio / New Harbinger Publications.
Permission is granted to the reader to reproduce this form for personal use.
