Teaching Impulse Control

UPDATED 5/13/24



To stop impulsive behavior in children a parent must teach that it is wrong. A child needs to learn to control impulses, delay gratification, and respect the rights and property of others. Teaching this at an early age to children allows it to sink in much deeper and they will develop a good conscious a lot sooner. By teaching values to children they will be able to empathize and understand the effects of what they do to others. In addition, the younger child is more likely to accept their parent’s advice and values and these children are more likely to admit they did wrong when asked.

Teaching morals and manners to combat problems like lying, stealing, cheating, abusing others, etc. children will find it harder to do because they feel wrong when they act wrong. They know that their parents do not like it when they lie or do anything that is considered wrong.

Not only should you teach your child that doing these things is wrong, but also what they should do to correct what they did. Parents should teach their children how to apologize, return the item, fix what they have broken, pay the amount of the damage or the value of the item, etc.



Try teaching impulse control by using games and activities:

rudoymedicalpsychiatry.com- 10 Fun Impulse Control Activities for Kids: Building Self-Regulation Skills


thepathway2success.com- 12 Games to Practice Self-Control


mightier.com- Impulse Control Games & Activities for Kids


andnextcomesl.com- Impulse Control Games For Kids That Are Quick & Easy To Play


pathwaystopeacecounseling.com- Counseling Games for Impulse Control


lovevery.com- 5 fun games that help your 3-year-old practice impulse control


nurtureandthriveblog.com- 7 Ways to Turn Power-Struggles and Over-Excitement into Cooperation and Joy


kindergartencafe.org- 8 Easy Impulse Control Activities for Kids


wholechildcounseling.com- Activities and Videos to Teach Kids About Self-Control and Impulse Control


counselorchelsey.com- Self Control Games For Kids


theottoolbox.com- How to Teach Kids Impulse Control


getgoally.com- A Lifeline for Teens: Innovative Impulse Control Activities That Work


creativetherapystore.com- The Impulse Control Game
"Stop and think before you act." That's good advice as far as it goes. But research shows that kids with serious impulse control problems also need to learn to:
•Accept delayed gratification
•Read social cues
•Remember the benefits of impulse control
•Use positive self-talk
•Improve problem-solving skills
•Anticipate consequences
•Learn how to stop certain behaviors

These are the seven skills taught by this highly effective game. As players make their way through a maze of roads on the colorful game board, they face a series of questions: Should I take the short but hazardous route, or the safe but longer route? What might happen if I exceed the speed limit? Is the easy way the best way? Players must choose their routes carefully and anticipate the consequences of their actions.

*You can also buy this game at amazon.com


amazon.com- Remote Control Impulse Control
There are both competitive and cooperative versions for grades 1–5 and for grades 6–9. The two age groups have separate decks of cards. During the game players read brief case studies adapted from the angry behavior of real kids. Players then practice one of the three essential skills: they PAUSE and describe an additional feeling that they might have along with anger in the scenario, or they REWIND and describe a time in the past when they have been successful calming their angry feelings, or they FAST FORWARD and describe a typical angry response or behavior that might follow the scenario and the probable consequence if the angry behavior is acted on. Grades 1-9.

amazon.com- Stop, Relax & Think: A Game to Help Impulsive Children Think Before They Act
In this ever-popular board game, active, impulsive children learn motor control, relaxation skills, how to express their feelings, and how to problem-solve. The manual includes information on how the game can be used both as a diagnostic and as a treatment tool, and how behaviors learned in the game can be generalized for the home or classroom. For 2 to 6 players; Grades 1-6.

amazon.com- Stop, Relax & Think Card Game
This card game was designed by the creator of the widely praised Stop, Relax & Think Game. Players are dealt Stop, Relax & Think cards and also Stressed Out, Confused, and Discouraged cards. As they acquire more cards, they must choose different self-control skills, and they learn the value of patience and cooperating with others to achieve a goal. Grades 1-7.


Here are a few games I made that might help:

Random Acts of Kindness Children identify Random Acts of Kindness as they move around the board.

The Golden Rule- This game helps promote why someone would use proper manners and etiquette in our daily lives.

I’m Sorry- Players move around the board by apologizing correctly for things they have done wrong while other players forgive their transgressions. The players must say what they should do to correct their mistake and/or what consequences should happen to them so they will learn to take responsibility of their actions.

Resist the Temptation- The objective of the game is to resist the temptation just like Jesus did. 2 game boards to choose from!

Liar, liar pants on fire!- Here is a fun game that helps children to recognize what lying is and how to resist it.

Sink or Swim- We are not perfect and we all make mistakes. But what if we make a mistake, what do we do? Here is a game to see if you can rectify the problem and do it correctly.

Thief!- Players are given situations and they must identify whether or not they are breaking the 7th Commandment. They also must state what they are obliged to do for their sin.



*If you child tends to do things impulsively and does not think about the consequences of their actions, you need a firm consistent discipline program in place. Have clear rules and consequences that you use each time your child misbehaves and ALWAYS be consistent in following through with them.

Discipline- how parents can discipline their children