Thought Snowglobe Craft: Shaking the Unhelpful Thoughts Away

Cognitive reframing is a skill used in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that teaches children to notice unhelpful thoughts and shift them into more helpful, calming, or realistic thoughts. It doesn’t mean ignoring hard feelings—it means helping children see the situation from a new angle so the thought feels less overwhelming and more manageable.

For example:

❄️ Unhelpful thought: “I can’t have fun if things get too loud.”

❄️ Helpful reframed thought: “Even if it’s loud, I can take a break and breathe.”

This shift supports emotional regulation, improves coping, and helps children feel more in control of their inner world (Beck, 2011; Kendall, 2017). Research shows that teaching cognitive reframing early on can reduce anxiety, support problem-solving, and strengthen resilience in children (Suveg & Zeman, 2004).

Benefits of Cognitive Reframing:

Children may struggle to separate their feelings from their thoughts, especially during emotionally charged moments. CBT highlights that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence each other—and that choosing more helpful thoughts can lead to calmer emotional responses (Beck, 2011).

• Benefits of teaching children cognitive reframing:

• Improved emotional regulation (Kendall, 2017)

• Stronger coping and problem-solving skills

• Greater awareness of thinking patterns

• Increased sense of control and confidence

• Reduced anxiety and emotional distress (Suveg & Zeman, 2004)

How to make a Thought Snowglobe

Materials:

• Paper plates

• Construction paper (base, clouds, snowflakes)

• Markers or crayons

• Cotton balls, glitter or artificial snow

• Glue or tape

• Scissors

Steps

1. Create the Snow Globe Shape: Use a paper plate as the globe and attach a construction paper base at the bottom.

2. Draw a Winter Scene : Invite the child to draw a cozy, peaceful winter setting—snowman, tree, stars, house, etc.

3. Add Snow: Use cotton balls or glitter to create a snow effect.

4. Identify the Unhelpful Thought: Help the child notice a heavy or tricky thought.

Example: “I can’t have fun if things get too loud.” Write this on a cloud cutout and glue inside the globe.

5. Create the Helpful Thought Snowflake: Work together to reframe the thought.

Example: “Even if it’s loud, I can take a break and breathe.” Write it on a snowflake and glue it near the cloud.

6. Shake and Reflect: Invite the child to shake the globe lightly whenever they need a reminder or a moment of calm.

How to Engage Children During the Craft

Use simple language to reinforce reframing:

• “Sometimes our brain gives us cloudy thoughts.We can choose a snowflake thought that helps us feel calmer.”

• “What’s a snowflake thought you can use today?”

The Thought Snow Globe turns this abstract skill into something visual, hands-on, and child-friendly, making the learning process engaging and memorable.

Moment of Devotion

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” — Colossians 3:2 (NIV)

This verse reminds us—and our children—that we can choose where we place our thoughts, even in moments that feel loud, overwhelming, or stressful. Just as snow gently blankets a winter scene in calm beauty, God brings peace to our children’s minds when their thoughts feel stormy. The unhelpful thought cloud shows the weight of worry. The snowflake reminds us of God’s gentle guidance, helping us redirect our minds toward comfort, truth, and calm.

Say this prayer when cloudy thoughts arise:

"Dear God,

Thank You for the wonderful mind You have given my child.

When their thoughts feel heavy or overwhelming, help me guide them with patience and wisdom. Fill their heart with Your peace and teach them to choose thoughts that bring comfort, strength, and calm.Protect their mind and lead them toward Your steady, loving presence. Amen."

References

Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.

Kendall, P. C. (2017). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxious Children: Therapist Manual (3rd ed.). Workbook Publishing.

Malchiodi, C. A. (2020). Trauma and Expressive Arts Therapy: Brain, Body, and Imagination in the Healing Process. Guilford Press.

Suveg, C., & Zeman, J. (2004). Emotion regulation in children with anxiety disorders. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 33(4), 750–759.