12 gratitude journals, positivity planners and activity books for teaching kids to process their emotions and manage anxieties

Best for learning about emotions

Age suitability: 7-10 years

Sunday Time bestselling author and founder of Happy Place Fearne Cotton developed this interactive feelings journal, which encourages kids to make friends with their emotions, try new things, learn, grow and discover who they are.

Activities include drawing what emotions might look like, interactive breathing exercises, writing a list of things to look forward to or things that spark happiness, and asking kids to write down what they love about themselves.

It's the perfect toolkit for children looking to build confidence in communicating their feelings, and clinical psychologist Dr Jo Mueller says, "This fun, engaging journal is packed full of evidence-based activities to help children explore and understand their emotions. It is a wonderful introduction to emotional literacy."

Best for encouraging healthy habits

Age suitability: 10+

This activity journal comes from Dr Alex George - former Love Island contestant, TV doctor and, most importantly, UK Ambassador for Mental Health. His A Better Day Journal helps kids feel happy and grow their confidence with creative activities, mindfulness exercises and journal prompts.

Dr Alex has spoken openly about his own past struggles with mental health as a young person, and has used his experience to inform this journal as well as its accompanying book A Better Day: Your Positive Mental Health Handbook, which won the Children's Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2023.

A Better Day Journal includes spaces to write down the best and worst parts of the day, encouragement to write down things that both can and can't be controlled, and suggestions for mood-boosting activities, such as watching a favourite film.

Best for tackling negative emotions

Age suitability: 7-11 years

Self-care activity book No Worries! allows kids to doodle their way through their anxieties, and has been put together in consultation with Dr. Sharie Coombes, a child, teen, family and adult psychotherapist. Beginning with an introduction and notes for grown-ups, this book uses simple exercises to tackle anxiety, sadness and stress, encouraging kids to use creativity to combat negative feelings.

Exercises included encouraging kids to imagine and draw their worry monsters, draw their reflection dressed up as a superhero, draw the place they feel safe and write the words that make them feel bad in a cartoon bin.

If doodling and crafts are your kid's thing, you might also want to check out Be Resilient!, another book from Dr. Sharie Coombes designed to help children to understand what resilience is, how resilient they already are and how to become even more resilient.

Best for boosting confidence

Age suitability: 6-10 years

Happy Confident Me is designed to be used for just five minutes a day over 10 weeks to promote increased happiness, self-confidence, resilience and gratitude. It was developed by psychotherapist Annabel Rosenhead and parenting expert and best-selling author Nadim Saad, so there's plenty of expert knowledge that's gone into this journal.

Packed with inspirational quotes, each day has four questions to complete, and each week helps with learning a key character-building skill. As well as helping kids' wellbeing, this journal promises that parents will be able to discuss feelings with their kids more openly and form a stronger connection.

Best for little journalers

Age suitability: 3-5 years

HappySelf has a number of journals to choose from - from this First Journal to their Teen Journal and Grown-Up Journal too. But we've chosen this offering because it is one of the only journals out there aimed at children as young as three years old.

It includes a daily quote or thought to help with a positive mindset, a self-awareness exercise encouraging kids to colour the character that reflects their feelings, and a way of practising gratitude by sharing positive parts of the day - all of which helps to support positive habits, mindset and behaviour.

It’s specially designed to be a shared experience, sparking conversation between parents and kids with a child-friendly journal format.

Best for worriers

Age suitability: 7-11 years

Author Poppy O'Neill specialises in mental health and emotions, and this kids' book combines cognitive-behavioural therapy methods used by child psychologists in schools with simple activities to help deal with anxiety.

With the help of Fiz - a friendly and supportive character - the reader is guided through fun and engaging activities which are interspersed with useful tips, inspirational statements and practical information for parents.

Kids are encouraged to write down and colour in their emotions, while parents can learn about the signs of anxiety in children and how to talk to kids about their feelings.

Best for mindfulness activities

Age suitability: 8-12 years

As well as explaining the meanings of gratitude and mindfulness, this thoughtfully designed journal includes daily activities encouraging kids to share how they are feeling, what they are grateful for and the best moments of the day.

Inspiring quotes and mindfulness prompts encourage kids to try breathing exercises or think about the things they have accomplished, helping little ones to see the world through a positive lens.

Best for empowering girls

Age suitability: 8-12 years

Amazon number one bestseller Hey Girl! is a self-discovery journal targeted specifically at young girls, with the aim of building confidence and strength while cultivating mindfulness. It offers thought-provoking questions, a space to record favourite memories, positive affirmations, empowering quotes and colouring activities.

Author Pragya Tomar makes it her mission to create a line of books that both entertain and expand a child's mind, and she knows how important the way children speak about themselves is. Not just for kids, this journal makes a thoughtful gift for mums, sisters and friends too.

Best for daily journalling

Age suitability: 10+

This beautiful little notebook comes from Rachel Ellen designs and reads,  ‘My little journal for gratitude, journaling and freeing the mind’ on the front. A sweet little speech bubble reminds us that this one isn't just for kids, it is 'for the young and the young at heart' - so you and your kid can journal along together.

Inside are writing prompts including 'Today I am grateful for', 'The best part of my day', 'Things I could do better tomorrow' and 'My wish for the future'.

Other activities include blank, unlined spaces to be creative and an area to write about the day.

Best for teens

Age suitability: 14+

This guided journal is suitable for teenagers and upwards - why not invest in one for yourself and make it a joint activity? The helpful prompts will help you look at your life through a more positive lens, and there’s also a helpful introduction to gratitude with information on why it’s an important practice and how it can positively impact your life.

Daily prompts encourage you to write down what you're grateful for, while other activities include asking yourself to consider a time you exceeded your own expectations or reflect on what you love most about where you live - you'll be amazed by how much there is to appreciate!

Best for after school activity

Age suitability: 6-12 years

Perfect for school-age kids, this notebook is a double-covered activity journal that lets children rave about the good bits of school, and then twist it over to rant and let off a little steam about the not-so-good bits. Guided prompts encourage reflection on important friendships, playground antics, teachers, and other aspects of school life, while helping to build confidence in writing and self-expression.

It can be completed in any order and the graph paper means there's plenty of space for kids to write, draw and get creative with their feelings - whether they're raving about their favourite subject or ranting about the phrases they find annoying.

Best for finding joy in the little things

Age suitability: 12+

Another journal that's great for teens and adults alike, this book helps remind you of things that bring you joy. A favourite scent, a sentimental possession, a fantastic vacation, a loyal friend are just some of the 99 prompts in this journal that will leave you feeling grateful for all you have.

Publishers Abrams make a number of great activity journals you can check out too, we also love I’m Not OK, You’re Not OK - an activity book for days when you feel anxious - and You, Me, We!, a set of fill-in books that allow parents and children to express themselves and connect in the process.

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