I have a simple stress reliever tip (and picture) to share. I was in a class once and learned this from the teacher. Take a good-sized tupperware storage box (Just big enough, yet small enough to store somewhere, you'll know what I mean in a sec.) Fill it nearly to the top with any one of the following items:
Now, you can decorate the lid of the box any way you wish. The trick is when you get stressed, go somewhere alone and just run your hands through the stuff, play in it, believe me, it's soothing. Sand works wonders, even unpopped popcorn kernels (in mine) work great, you just sift through it, play in it, it's relaxing! Happy de-stressing! (Just don't mistake YOUR popcorn kernels with regular popcorn kernels - eww.)
By Stacey from Orem, UT
Occupational Therapists use this all the time with kids! It is a good sensory experience--I (personally) like using rice best with the kids. I usually make batches of different colors, then mix them for a sensory experience that not only feels good but looks pretty.
For your older toddlers and preschoolers: try "hiding" small toys in the rice and let them find them--first with looking, then with their eyes shut.
They can also "drive" small cars/trucks in the box.
