Navigating loss with The Hare-Shaped Hole: Introducing free printable grief worksheets for kids

Grief is a complex emotion, especially for children. To help guide them through the challenging process of loss, we at KiddyCharts are proud to introduce our new grief worksheets for kids, these are free, and also a companion to a recommended book as well in the Be Well Read club for kids. Don’t forget to sign up to that to get the free worksheets and book suggestions every month.

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These worksheets are specifically designed to assist children in understanding and expressing their feelings during difficult times. And the book club is focused on creating positive mental health for our kids too. All worksheets are easy to print, making them perfect for use at home or in the classroom.

Our grief worksheets for kids offer a series of engaging and therapeutic activities. From drawing exercises to writing prompts, these worksheets provide a safe space for children to explore their emotions and share their thoughts about loss. Children are encouraged to write about their feelings as part of the worksheet activities, helping them process grief through expressive writing.

Before we share the activity sheets for helping kids with loss and grief, here are some practical tips for helping with grief.

Understanding Grief

Grief is a deeply personal journey, especially for children who may be experiencing the loss of a loved one for the first time. It’s important to remember that grief doesn’t look the same for everyone—some children might feel sad, others might be angry, confused, or even seem unaffected at first. The process of grieving can be influenced by the nature of the loss, the child’s relationship with the loved one, and the support they receive from family and friends. By helping children understand that their feelings are normal and that there’s no “right” way to grieve, we empower them to express themselves honestly. Resources like grief worksheets, activity handouts, and supportive workbooks can make a real difference, offering children practical ways to explore their emotions and find comfort during a difficult time. With the right help and understanding, children can begin to process their l

Top 5 tips to help kids with loss

Alongside our grief worksheets, here are five tips to further assist children dealing with loss:

1. Open Communication: Encourage children to express their feelings. Let them know it’s okay to talk about their loss and that their feelings are valid.
   
2. Assure Stability: Maintain routines as much as possible. Familiarity can provide a sense of security during uncertain times.
   
3. Express Emotions Creatively: Art, music, or writing can be therapeutic outlets for children to express their feelings.
   
4. Encourage Remembrance: Help children remember the person or pets they’ve lost. This can be through photos, stories, or keepsakes.
   
5. Seek Professional Help if Necessary: If a child’s grief seems prolonged or particularly intense, don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional, or a counsellor. Helen Neale works with Headstuff ADHD Therapy, so check them out. Alternatively, there are some wonderful specialist charities that can help, such as Winston’s Wish. Don’t forget to check out our guide on how to help kids with grief from them on site alongside these worksheets.
   

It’s also important to support a grieving friend. Encourage children to show empathy, listen actively, and offer emotional space to friends who are experiencing loss. Being there for a grieving friend can make a significant difference in helping them cope.

Hare-Shaped Hole: A wonderful book to guide children through grief and loss

In addition to our worksheets and tips, we recommend the book “The Hare-Shaped Hole“ by  John Dougherty, and illustrated by Thomas Docherty. This beautiful book tells the story of a brave hare facing a challenging journey — one that involves loss and the process of healing.

“A beautiful, gentle, rhyming exploration of grief and mourning.”

Joe Coelho, Waterstones Children’s Laureate

We believe in providing resources that support children’s emotional well-being. Our grief worksheets, coupled with these tips and recommended reading, aim to bring a gentle guidance to children navigating the complex journey of grief.

Dealing with difficult emotions

When children are grieving, they often face a whirlwind of difficult emotions—sadness, anger, guilt, or even fear. These feelings can be overwhelming and hard to talk about, especially if a child doesn’t have the words to express what’s going on inside. Creating a safe, supportive space where children feel comfortable sharing their thoughts is essential for their mental health. Parents, teachers, and mental health professionals can help by encouraging open conversations, offering reassurance, and modeling healthy coping strategies. Activities like drawing, writing, or simply talking about their feelings can help children process their grief and build resilience. Using resources such as coping skills worksheets or joining grief support groups can also provide valuable tools for managing tough emotions. Remember, it’s okay for children to feel a range of emotions: what matters most is that they know it’s safe to share and that help is lways available when things feel hard.

What do our grief worksheets for kids look like

Our first three sheets, include the cover, and two colouring sheets. One encouraging children to fill the hare-shaped hole with happy memories, and then to colour in a sheet with Bertle and Hertle as well.

Our next three sheets are writing prompts, but you can also use them as discussion ideas as well for your children to talk about times that we have lost things, and the final image within the book, which gives you some clues as to how Gerda understands what Bertle is going through.

It is such a charming story, and the final illustration is beautiful.

The final two sheets, one of which is talking about children’s own experience of death can be held back for older children, or used with caution depending on the class, and ideas that you want to work with.

As always, it is up to you how to engage the children with our resources:

Remember, it’s okay to seek help, and it’s certainly okay to grieve. We’re here to help every step of the way.

To download these, just click on the button below, or the image too:

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Allowing that space for grief is an important part of self care for kids to:

Self-care for Kids

Taking care of themselves is especially important for children navigating grief. Self-care isn’t just for adults. Kids benefit from routines and activities that help them feel safe, calm, and in control. Simple self-care activities like going for a walk, drawing, listening to music, or practicing deep breathing can make a big difference in how children manage their emotions. Parents and caregivers can support by modelling self-care habits and encouraging children to try different activities to see what helps them feel better. Making self-care a regular part of daily life not only helps children cope with grief but also builds healthy habits that will support their mental health for years to come. There are plenty of resources, including self-care worksheets and activity guides, that can inspire children to find what works best for them. By prioritising self-care, families can help children feel stronger and more supported as they move through the grieving process.

Reflection and remembrance

Honoring the memory of a loved one is a meaningful part of the grieving process for children. Taking time to reflect on happy memories, share stories, or create something special in remembrance can help children process their loss and celebrate the life of the person or pet they loved. Activities like making a memory book, writing a letter, or creating a small memorial can provide comfort and a sense of connection, even after someone is gone. These acts of remembrance help children understand that it’s okay to feel sad, but it’s also okay to remember the good times and keep those memories alive. Encouraging children to participate in these activities, especially around special dates or holidays, can help them integrate their loss into their lives in a healthy way. Resources such as reflection worksheets and remembrance activities offer gentle guidance and support, making it easier for children to express their feelings and find healing through the process of remembering.

We’ve got a few other book activity sheets you might like, so why not check them out as well:

More book activity sheets 2

Here are some more activity sheets based around books and wellbeing!

Unleash your bravery with Courage Out Loud activity sheets: Say no with confidence!

A fabulous book all about helping our kids to be brave and resilient - we've got the activity sheets as stand alone, or use them with the book too.

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We've Got This eBook: Empathy activities and empathy teaching

This is a wonderful book with ideas for improving empathy for the kids. Check it out.

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What a Day activity sheets: Mindful moments at bedtime for kids

Finally, this is an excellent book, coupled with these activities, to help kids with mindful moments at bedtime.

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We really would love to see you again, so do come back soon.

Helen

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