How to Create a Calm Down Corner for Home or Classroom

August 13, 2025

Big feelings are part of growing up - whether you’re a parent watching your toddler go from giggles to tears in minutes, or a teacher helping a student navigate frustration during a busy school day. One of the most effective tools I’ve found for helping children regulate emotions is a calm down corner - a dedicated space with visuals and tools to help kids name their feelings and choose healthy ways to calm down.

In this post, I’ll share how our calm down corner is set up, how our Feelings & How to Calm Down posters support emotional growth, and practical tips for creating one of your own at home or in the classroom. I’ll also link the specific items we use so you can recreate the setup if you wish.

Why a Calm Down Corner Works Anywhere

A calm down corner is not about time-outs or punishment - it’s a safe, supportive space that says:

“Your feelings are valid, and you have tools to work through them.”

For children, it offers:

A consistent place to go when they’re feeling overwhelmed
Visual supports to help identify emotions and calming strategies
A chance to practice self-regulation in a positive way

At home, this might be a cozy nook in the living room or bedroom. In a classroom, it could be a small section of the room with soft seating and calming visuals.

Our Calm Down Corner Setup

Here’s a look at our setup - adaptable for a family home or a classroom environment.

1. Feelings & How to Calm Down Posters
The heart of the space. Children can point to the feelings chart to name their emotion (“I’m frustrated,” “I feel scared”) and then use the calming strategies chart to pick what might help. Over time, this builds emotional vocabulary and problem-solving skills.

What makes these posters different is their soft, realistic artwork that reflects real-life children and situations, making it easier for little ones to connect. They’re designed with calming, muted colors so they feel soothing rather than overstimulating, and they fit naturally in both homes and classrooms - from Montessori playrooms to early childhood learning spaces.

Over time, I’ve watched my toddler go from pointing at a “mad” face to choosing a strategy from the calming chart - completely on their own. That’s the real magic: giving children the tools to recognize what they’re feeling and choose what will help.

You can find the Feelings and How to Calm Down poster banners in my Etsy shop. I also offer corresponding matte and satin paper posters - Feelings Poster and How to Calm Down Poster - available in 15 sizes, from 8" x 8" up to 30" x 40", so you can choose the perfect fit for your place.

2. A shelf or bin with calming tools
Our calm down corner includes a small shelf stocked with tools that help children redirect their energy and focus on calming themselves. These items aren’t just for fun - they serve a purpose: guiding little ones to practice self-regulation, attention, and mindfulness.

Some of the tools we include:

Breathing ball (Hoberman sphere) – Teaches deep, slow breaths in a visual and playful way.
Yoga cards - Simple toddler-friendly poses that release tension and refocus the body.
Feelings figurines - Small figures for acting out emotions and practicing empathy.
Books about emotions - Rotating selections reinforce emotional literacy and provide soothing stories.
Mirror with interchangeable feelings cards - A small mirror with slots for different feelings cards allows children to look at themselves while naming their emotions. This helps them connect their internal feelings with an external reflection, making the process of identifying and managing emotions more tangible and interactive.

The goal of these tools is to give children options to refocus, calm down, and feel empowered in managing their own feelings - whether at home or in a classroom setting.

3. A Cozy Spot to Sit
A calm down corner isn’t complete without a soft, inviting place to sit. In our space, we’ve created a little nook with a canopy hanging from the ceiling, a floor cushion, and a few pillows. Adding a soft toy, particularly a weighted one, provides extra comfort and a sense of security.

This cozy spot gives children a physical anchor for their emotions. They can curl up, take a few breaths, and feel supported while using the posters or calming tools. The combination of soft textures and a defined space makes the corner feel safe and nurturing - whether it’s for a quick pause during a toddler meltdown or a quiet break in a busy classroom.

We didn’t just create a calm down corner - our toddlers love to hang out in this space even when they’re not upset. It’s become a favorite little retreat for reading, imaginative play, or just a moment of calm in a busy day.

Tips for Setting Up Your Calm Down Corner

Choose a quiet, low-traffic spot
At home, a corner away from the busiest areas works best. In a classroom, choose a location that offers privacy without isolation.
Use clear, child-friendly visuals
Posters, picture cards, or illustrated strategy charts make the space more accessible for younger children or non-readers.
Include sensory tools
Items like soft textures, stress balls, or a glitter jar can help children reset.
Keep it positive
A calm down corner should never feel like a punishment. Use it as a place children choose to go - or where you can gently invite them when emotions run high.
Model the process
Show children how to use the space. At home, I might say, “I’m going to take three deep breaths in our calm down spot.” In a classroom, you can demonstrate it during morning meeting.

What We’ve Seen in Action

Since setting ours up, my kids has begun going to the calm down corner on their own - sometimes just to flip through yoga cards or read a book. We’ve also noticed some heartwarming moments that show just how powerful this space can be.

For example, our oldest recently took the feelings poster over to his younger sister when she was melting down. He pointed to the chart and asked, “How are you feeling? You look sad,” pointing specifically to the sad face on the poster. It was amazing to see him use the poster to check in and support his sibling, showing empathy and understanding even at such a young age.

Our youngest often interacts with the corner in her own way. When she’s upset, she’ll sometimes cry while looking at the How to Calm Down poster, saying, “Hug bear bear,” referring to her soft bear toy. She then wants to cuddle it, combining the visual cue from the poster with a comforting physical object to self-soothe.

These moments show how the posters and cozy corner tools don’t just teach skills - they empower children to recognize emotions, ask for support, and find their own calming strategies, even at different stages of development. That’s when you know the corner is doing its job.

Build Your Own Calm Down Corner

Here’s a list of the exact tools we use:

✨ [Feelings & How to Calm Down Banners] or [Feelings and How to Calm Down Posters] from my Etsy shop
✨ [Mindfulness Magic Ball] from Mindful & Co Kids
✨ [Yoga Flash Cards] from Mindful & Co Kids
✨ [Wooden Emotion Dolls] from Lovevery's Observer Play Kit
✨ [Emotion Match Mirror and Card Set] from Lovevery's Enthusiast Play Kit
✨ [Weighted Octopus] from Mindful & Co Kids

Whether you’re setting one up for your home or your classroom, the goal is the same: to give children a safe, supportive space to process feelings and practice calming techniques they can carry with them for life.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes and to share ideas for calm down corners. Some products shown are available for purchase online, but I am not affiliated with any brands or companies featured here unless otherwise noted. All links to products are provided to help recreate a similar calm down space and to showcase my own Feelings & How to Calm Down posters.

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