All about anger (Kids’ Guide)

What is anger?

Anger is a strong feeling that shows up when something feels unfair, upsetting, scary, or frustrating. It’s like your brain is saying, “This isn’t okay with me!”

Everyone feels angry sometimes. Grown-ups, kids, and even superheroes feel it. Anger isn’t a bad thing, but how we respond to it is important.

What does anger look and feel like?

Anger can show up in all kinds of ways. Here are some clues that someone might be feeling angry:

Sometimes anger builds up like a balloon getting too full. If we don’t let out the pressure gently, it might pop!

Why it’s okay to feel angry (but not okay to hurt others or ourselves)

Feeling angry is completely normal. It tells us that something feels wrong or unfair. But if we hit, shout, or break things when we’re angry, it can hurt people around us. And that makes everything harder.

When you learn to calm your body and speak your feelings, you become stronger inside. You are not your anger. You are someone who is learning, growing, and doing your best.

You can feel big feelings and still make kind choices.

Things you can do when you feel angry

1. Say how you feel

Try saying out loud, “I’m feeling angry.” Naming the feeling helps you take charge of it.

2. Pause like a turtle

Imagine being a turtle pulling into your shell. Be still and take a slow breath in for three seconds, then breathe out for three more. Do this three times.

3. Move your body

Try jumping, running, stretching, dancing, or shaking your arms like spaghetti. Moving helps get the angry energy out.

4. Draw your anger

Use crayons or pencils to draw what your anger looks like. Maybe it’s a fiery monster or a stormy cloud. Let the drawing help you express what’s inside.

5. Talk it out

Find someone you trust and tell them what made you angry. Talking can make the feeling feel smaller and easier to understand.

Let’s play pretend!

With your parent or a sibling, take turns reading pretend situations and ask each other, “What would you do?”

1. You’re told it’s time to turn off your favourite show

2. Your sibling eats the last cookie you wanted to eat

3. A friend doesn’t like to play the game you picked

4. You lose a board game and feel upset about it

5. Your parent says “no” to something you really wanted

6. You accidentally spill your drink, and you feel bad

7. A classmate laughs when you make a mistake

8. Your little brother or sister breaks one of your toys

9. You get blamed for something you didn’t do

10. Someone keeps interrupting you when you’re trying to talk

Talk through ideas for staying calm and being kind, even when it’s hard.

Cheer for each other’s great ideas!