Help kids practice changing unhelpful thoughts into more balanced, helpful thoughts with the Butterfly Thought Changer CBT Counseling Game! This engaging cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) activity combines interactive scenarios, self-checking digital games, and printable cards to support emotional regulation, flexible thinking, and positive self-talk.

With two differentiated versions and 60 scenario cards across both versions, students can explore how their thoughts influence their feelings and responses to everyday challenges. Designed for individual counseling, small groups, classroom SEL lessons, and telehealth, this low-prep activity is aligned with Session 4 of Skills for Big Feelings: A Guide for Teaching Kids Relaxation, Regulation, and Coping Techniques.

📦 What's Included:

🦋 Open-Ended Butterfly Thought Changer Game

• 30 scenarios featuring an unhelpful thought.
• Students explore each situation and practice changing unhelpful thoughts into more helpful, balanced thoughts.
• Encourages flexible thinking, self-awareness, and problem-solving.

🧠 Multiple-Choice Butterfly Thought Changer Game

• 30 scenarios with two thought options for each situation.
• Students identify which thought may be more helpful.
• Provides structured choices for students who benefit from additional support.

✏️ Two Differentiated Game Versions

• Open-ended version for students who are ready to generate their own helpful thoughts.
• Multiple-choice version for students who benefit from choosing between two options.
• Flexible options to support different developmental levels, communication styles, and learning needs.

💻 Self-Checking Digital Google Slides Game

• Interactive digital activities with self-checking features.
• Great for smartboards, screen sharing, telehealth, and virtual counseling sessions.
• Engaging way to practice recognizing and reframing unhelpful thoughts.

🖨️ Printable CBT Scenario Cards

• Hands-on scenario cards for practicing helpful thinking skills.
• Great for individual counseling, small groups, and classroom SEL lessons.
• Flexible options for discussion, sorting, and reflection activities.

📁 Digital & Printable Formats

• Interactive Google Slides games for digital learning.
• Printable PDF scenario cards for hands-on activities.
• Flexible options for in-person and virtual counseling sessions.

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🎒 Quick Details: Elementary + middle school students | 👥 Individual, small group + classroom | 🖨️ Digital + Print, PDF + Google Slides | 🎯 CBT, cognitive reframing + emotional regulation

🛍️ Bundle & Save:

Save even more when you purchase the Skills for Big Feelings Growing Bundle, available with the paperback curriculum or eBook curriculum! This comprehensive 12-week emotional regulation curriculum includes:

• 184-page Skills for Big Feelings curriculum, available in paperback or eBook
• 12 interactive digital workbooks with 150 Google Slides pages
• 16 guided relaxation MP3s and videos demonstrating 30+ coping skills
• 40 coping skills craft projects in a 221-page eBook
• Digital and printable CBT games, coping skills activities, and 70 unique Bingo cards
• Coping skills cards, dice, spinner wheels, mazes, and fortune tellers
• Printable posters, family handouts, editable documents, and bonus SEL activities
• Growing bundle with future additions included at no extra cost for existing purchasers

This game is also available in the CBT Counseling Games Bundle: Skills for Big Feelings at a discount! This collection includes seven engaging digital and printable games that reinforce emotional awareness, helpful thinking, problem-solving, and coping skills.

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🎯 Skills Addressed:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive reframing, recognizing automatic thoughts, helpful and unhelpful thinking, balanced self-talk, flexible thinking, emotional awareness, emotional regulation, coping skills, self-awareness, self-management, and understanding connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions.

💡 Ways to Use It:

• Introduce or reinforce CBT concepts through an engaging butterfly-themed game
• Help students recognize automatic thoughts that arise during everyday challenges
• Practice changing unhelpful thoughts into more realistic and balanced alternatives
• Use the multiple-choice version when students benefit from additional structure
• Offer the open-ended version to encourage deeper discussion and independent thinking
• Use printable scenario cards for hands-on individual or small group counseling
• Play the digital self-checking game during telehealth or smartboard lessons
• Reinforce Session 4 of the Skills for Big Feelings curriculum
• Discuss how different thoughts may influence emotions and actions
• Support flexible thinking without requiring students to ignore or minimize difficult experiences

👩‍🏫 Who It's For:

School counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, mental health counselors, special education teachers, classroom teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other professionals supporting children's social-emotional development.

Especially useful for professionals teaching CBT skills who want an engaging, differentiated way to help children explore unhelpful thoughts and practice cognitive reframing.

🖨️ Format & Download:

Includes printable PDF game cards and interactive Google Slides activities.

Both the open-ended and multiple-choice versions are available in digital and printable formats, making the game suitable for in-person counseling, small groups, classroom lessons, and telehealth.

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📌 Important Notes:

• CBT helps students recognize and explore their thinking patterns. The goal is not to require positive thinking or dismiss valid emotions, real-world stressors, or challenging experiences.
• Encourage students to consider realistic, supportive alternatives to unhelpful thoughts while validating their feelings and perspectives.
• This is a digital download. No physical product will be shipped. Due to the digital nature of this resource, all sales are final and refunds are not available.