15 Creative Activities to Help Kids Cope With Pet Loss (+ Reading & Resources)

Anyone who has ever lost a pet knows how painful it can be, especially for children who may be experiencing grief for the first time. Our own loss inspired us to put this collection together – fifteen creative and meaningful activities, a read-aloud picture book list, free printables, and a group of grief resources that can help kids process their emotions and offer comfort through ways to honor and remember their pets.

We said an impossible goodbye to a best friend here at b&b.

Pet Loss Activities and Resources for Kids – Table of Contents

We’ve organized our collection by theme, so you can use the links below to jump straight to a specific topic of interest in this article…

After nine-and-a-half glorious years, we had to let our beloved (happiest, goofiest, bestest of the best) golden Thor go. From the very beginning, he was determined to take me along for a wild ride (and with a cute face like his, there was no other option!).

One hundred and ten pounds of pure love and joy, he somehow turned all of our monotonous everyday routines into occasions to giggle, and to say losing him is devastating feels like the most egregious understatement.

If you’ve followed barley & birch for a while, you’ve likely seen Thor mentioned in posts, “helping” me put projects together in behind-the-scenes pictures, or even featured as the star of a project or two (take a look at our printable winter forest or pupcakes recipe for just a couple of examples).

I know I’m FAR from alone in feeling this kind of loss so deeply, and over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with so many of you about the important roles our pets play in the lives of our families.

While considering ways to remember Thor here, in this special space we share that he was such a big part of, sharing tools kids could use to celebrate the bond they have with their own pets seemed like a perfect immortalization of his generously loving and caring spirit.

Helping Your Child Grieve a Pet

Before jumping right into the activities, it’s important to recognize that children grieve differently than adults.

Their reactions can vary widely based on age, personality, and their relationship with the pet.

Just like adults, some kids might express their sadness openly, while others might seem unaffected at first, only to show signs of grief later on.

Our role is to provide a supportive environment where kids can feel safe expressing their emotions. Encouraging open conversations about death and loss, and using age-appropriate language can go a long way in helping them feel better in the short term.

It can also give them the experience and tools they need to process loss in healthy ways for the rest of their lives.

There’s no “right” way to grieve, and each child’s journey will be unique.

Creative Activities to Honor Pet Memories & Help Kids Heal

Note: We prefer to shop locally or use what we have at home, but this list contains Woodpeckers Crafts, Etsy, Blick Art Materials, Bookshop.org and/or Amazon affiliate links for reference. As affiliates (and Amazon Associates), we make a small commission on qualifying purchases.*

When trying these activities with your kids, remember that healing takes time. Some days will be easier than others, and that’s okay.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Be patient and allow your child to grieve at their own pace.
2. Encourage open communication about feelings.
3. Share your own emotions – it’s okay for children to see that we adults grieve too.
4. Maintain routines as much as possible to provide a sense of stability.
5. Consider reaching out to a child therapist if your child is struggling to cope.

1. Create a Memory Book or Pet Journal

One of the most meaningful ways for kids to process the loss of a pet is by creating a memory book or pet journal. This personal project allows children to reflect on the special moments they shared with their pet and helps them to celebrate the good times.

In their memory book, kids can include:

• Photos of their pet during happy moments.
• Drawings or sketches of their pet.
• Stories or poems they write about their favorite memories.

Encourage children to be as creative as they’d like, adding stickers, colored paper, or even little pockets where they can tuck away small keepsakes. The act of putting the book together can be both healing and comforting as they recall the love and joy their pet brought into their lives.

To get started, provide your child with a blank notebook or scrapbook. Encourage them to decorate the cover with pictures of their pet or paw print designs. Inside, they can write down funny stories, stick in photos, and even include drawings of their favorite moments with their pet.

This activity not only helps kids reminisce about happy times but also gives them a tangible keepsake they can revisit whenever they’re missing their pet – a lovely way to celebrate the joy their favorite animal companion brought into their lives.

2. Craft a Mini Pet Tribute

Crafting can be a soothing activity, and creating something in honor of a pet allows kids to channel their emotions into something tangible. One simple yet beautiful idea is to make a memorial rock garden. Kids can paint stones with their pet’s name, paw prints, or hearts, and place them in a special part of the yard or garden.

A few more memorial craft ideas:

• Creating a framed picture of the pet with decorations like pet-themed stickers or small embellishments.
• Making a clay paw print and mounting it on a display board.
• Putting together a small memory box to hold their pet’s collar, favorite toy, or other meaningful items.

3. Hold a Pet Memorial Service

Having a special ceremony to say goodbye can offer some kids a sense of peace and closure.

A pet memorial service doesn’t have to be elaborate; it can be simple and personalized to your child’s specific wishes.

Here are a few ideas for making the service personal and special:

• Memory Sharing: Family members can gather to share their favorite stories about the pet. Encourage kids to talk about the fun or silly things their pet did, what they’ll miss the most, or how the pet made them feel.
• Read a Poem: Poems like The Rainbow Bridge can be comforting during times of loss. Children can read a pre-written poem or write their own to share with others.
• Light Candles or Make Memory Lanterns: During the service, kids can light candles in memory of their pet, or they could make memory lanterns. These DIY lanterns can be simple jars or paper bags, decorated with drawings or messages about the pet, and illuminated with small LED candles.
• Music: Play music that reminds the family of the pet, or let your child choose a pet-inspired song that brings back good memories.

Remember, the tone of the service can be whatever feels right for your family. It’s okay to laugh at funny memories alongside moments of sadness. The goal is to celebrate the pet’s life and the happiness they brought to your family.

4. Create a Pet Collage or Pet Art Wall

Art can be a powerful tool for expressing emotions, especially for kids.

They can gather photographs, draw pictures, or cut out shapes and colors that remind them of their pet to create a visual tribute that can become a focal point in their room or a special place in the home where they can go to remember their friend.

5. Make or Adopt a Mini Pet

For some kids, having a tangible object to hold can provide comfort during times of grief. A miniature pet, or pet-themed stuffed animal can act as a cozy comfort companion, offering a sense of familiarity and warmth.

There are so many ways to create pets together…

• Younger children might enjoy making a simple sock puppet or using playdough to make an animal that resembles their pet.
• Older kids could try their hand at sewing, needle felting, or using clay to create a small sculpture or play pet.
• The grief of pet loss isn’t experienced by kids only, so I’m ALL about looking for ways to make it easier on parents and caregivers too. If looking for a simpler solution, adopt a pet that’s already been made! Sites like Etsy have adorable handmade mini pets or stuffed animals, and lots of makers even take requests.

Some kids might want to make an animal that looks like their pet, while others may prefer one that reminds them of their pet’s playful spirit.

For those of you looking for inspiration or free patterns, our friend Trixie at Sew A Softie has a great collection of easy stuffed animals kids can sew.

To make it a little more personal, you can help your child create accessories for their stuffed animal, like a mini collar, a little bed, or the habitats that reflect their pet’s personality and how they lived.

This new companion won’t replace the pet they’ve lost, but it can provide them with a physical object to cuddle and care for as they navigate their grief.

6. Create a Pet Playlist

Music can be incredibly healing, and creating a playlist of pet songs that can help them process their emotions.

Sit down with your child and choose a mix of songs that bring them comfort, make them smile, or even help them cry if they need to.

The playlist can include songs with lyrics that resonate with the bond they shared with their pet, or simply tunes that bring them peace.

Listening to this playlist can become a comforting ritual for kids, offering a way to connect with their feelings whenever they’re missing their pet.

7. Use Worry Stones or Make Story Stones

Expressing emotions can be difficult, especially for younger kids. Using worry stones or making a set of emotion story stones is a helpful activity that gives kids a visual and tactile way to talk about their feelings.

There are lots of ways to use or make stones, pebbles, and rocks you may have right outside…

• Look for flat, smooth pebbles or stones kids can easily hold and rub between their fingers. Somewhat like fidget spinners, these smooth “worry rocks” are physical items kids can interact with through a counting or breathing exercise. Let them soothe themselves through quiet physical meditation, or as they voice concerns or thoughts about their lost pet.
• Gather a few smooth stones or rocks and provide paint or markers so kids can decorate each stone with faces or words that represent different emotions—like happiness, sadness, anger, and love.
• Instead of using paint, draw or cut out a variety of facial features and expressions and use Mod Podge to affix them onto your stones. Let kids use them to recreate or explore their own emotions.
• Invite kids to illustrate parts of a story involving their pet, memories of their pets life, or accessories/favorite things their pet enjoyed. Cut them out and affix them to the rocks with Mod Podge, then invite your kids to use them for pet-inspired stories and remembrances.

8. Plant a Pet Tree or Flower or Design a Pet Garden

Planting something in memory of a pet can be a beautiful and lasting way for kids to honor their beloved friends.

Whether it’s a tree, a flower, an arrangement, or a small garden, kids can take pride in caring for something new in memory of their pet, and it gives them a special place to reflect on their friend.

They can personalize the area by decorating it with painted rocks or creating a small plaque or marker with the pet’s name. Watching a tree grow or flowers bloom year after year can serve as a gentle reminder of the love their pet brought into their life.

Help your child choose plants that remind them of their pet. Maybe their cat loved to nap in the sunflowers, or their dog always sniffed at the lavender. Include a small stone or plaque with the pet’s name.

9. Create a Time Capsule or Pet Memory Box

For kids who enjoy collecting keepsakes, a time capsule or memory box is a wonderful way to preserve memories of their pet. Help your kids gather meaningful reminders of their pet, like:

• A favorite toy
• A photo or drawing of the pet
• A tuft of fur (if you have one)
• A written note or letter about the pet
• A collar or tag
• A paw prints or impression
• A list of the pet’s favorite things

Once they’ve gathered these items, place them in a box or jar and bury them in a special place, or make a memory box to be stored somewhere inside. They can paint their memory box, cover it with photos, or add stickers – whatever feels right to them.

10. Craft or Paint Pet Rocks

This activity combines art and nature in a lovely tribute to a lost pet, and all you need are some smooth, flat rocks.

Using acrylic paints, paint pens, paper and Mod Podge or stickers, encourage your little makers to create pet-themed designs on the rocks:

• A portrait of their pet
• Paw prints
• Their pet’s name
• A favorite toy or treat

Once the rocks are dry, your child can place them in a special spot in the garden or keep them in their room. These colorful reminders of their pet can bring a smile whenever they see them.

11. Write and Illustrate a Pet Storybook or Movie

For kids who love storytelling, creating a book about their pet can be a wonderful way to process their feelings and celebrate their pet’s life. Encourage your child to write and illustrate a story featuring their pet as the main character.

The story could be:

• A recounting of their pet’s life
• An imaginary adventure their pet goes on
• A tale about the rainbow bridge or pet heaven

This activity allows children to use their imagination to keep their pet’s memory alive. It also gives them a chance to envision their pet happy and safe, which can be very comforting.

12. Make or Stamp Pet Prints

Pet paw memorial art is a lovely way to honor a pet. Some of these ideas require advanced planning, but you can also keep things abstract and invite kids to form the shapes of a paw print.

Here are a few different ways you and your kids can create pet paw prints (or pet footprints):

1. Clay Imprint: Roll out soft, air-dry or bakeable clay and gently press your pet’s paw into the surface. The clay captures the details of the paw, and once it dries or hardens, you’ll have a lasting impression. You can also add your pet’s name or special designs around the print before it dries.
2. Painted Paw Print: Dip your pet’s paw in non-toxic paint and gently press it onto paper, canvas, or fabric. After the paint dries, you can turn it into a framed artwork, add other decorative touches, or use it as part of a larger art project.
3. Salt Dough Paw Print: Mix salt dough (a simple combination of flour, salt, and water), roll it out, and press your pet’s paw into the dough. Once the print is made, bake the dough in the oven to harden it. The result is a sturdy keepsake that can be painted or displayed.
4. Pebble Paw Print Art: Arrange small pebbles in the shape of your pet’s paw print on a flat surface or canvas. You can glue the pebbles down and frame the artwork or leave it as a decorative piece in a garden. This method creates a natural, earthy tribute to your pet.
5. Ink Stamp Print: Use a paw print stamp to create multiple prints on paper, fabric, or even as part of a greeting card. This method is especially useful if your pet is hesitant to have their paw pressed into clay or paint, or you weren’t able to get a print while they were alive. Stamped prints can be personalized with colors, backgrounds, and decorative borders.

You can personalize the piece further by adding your pet’s name, dates, or special designs around the paw print, creating an extra-special handmade tribute.

13. Building a “Feelings Fort”

Sometimes, kids need a safe, cozy space to express their emotions freely. Help your child create a special “Feelings Fort” using blankets, pillows, and furniture.

This can be as simple as draping a sheet over a table or as elaborate as building a blanket fort in the living room.

Stock the fort with:

• Soft toys (including any that remind them of their pet)
• Drawing materials
• A journal
• Photos of their pet
• A nightlight or battery-operated candle

Encourage your kids to use this space whenever they need some quiet time to remember their pet or work through their feelings.

14. Make a Happy Memories Jar

This simple yet powerful activity involves creating a collection of good memories that kids can turn to when they’re feeling sad. Here’s a simple way to make one:

1. Decorate a clear jar with pet-themed stickers, ribbons, or drawings.
2. Cut colorful paper into small strips.
3. Have everyone in the family write down happy memories, funny stories, or things they loved about their pet on these strips.
4. Fold the papers and put them in the jar.

Whenever your child is missing their pet, they can pull out a memory from the jar to read, serving as a reminder of all the joy their pet brought into their life and can help shift focus from sadness to happier memories of time spent together.

15. Read a Picture Book About Pet Loss Together

When words fail us, sometimes a story can speak volumes. Picture books about pet loss can be powerful tools in helping children understand and cope with their grief.

Pet Loss Picture Book List

Here’s a small selection of picture books that address pet loss in age-appropriate ways. Whether read together during quiet moments or used as starting points for discussions about feelings, these stories can provide comfort and help children feel less alone in their experience of loss.

From tales of beloved dogs and cats to stories about saying goodbye to more unusual pets, this curated list aims to offer something for every child and every situation.

Picture Books to Help Kids Deal with the Loss of All Kinds of Pets

• The Invisible Leash: An Invisible String Story About the Loss of a Pet by Patrice Karst
• When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers
• The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr
• Everywhere, Still: A Book about Loss, Grief, and the Way Love Continues by M.H. Clark
• The Memory Box: A Book About Grief by Joanna Rowland
• Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie
• Sam’s Sadness Slips Out by Kristin Ray
• The ABCs of Grief: a children’s grief book for all types of loss and grief by Jessica Correnti
• When Sadness Comes to Call by Eva Eland 
• Remembering Blue Fish by Becky Friedman

Picture Books to Help Kids Deal with the Loss of a Dog

• Stay: A Girl, a Dog, a Bucket List by Kate Klise
• Rosie and Crayon by Deborah Marcero
• Find Momo Everywhere by Andrew Knapp
• Goodbye to Goldie (Katie Woo) by Fran Manushkin
• I’ll Always Love You by Hans Wilhelm
• Bear Island by Matthew Cordell
• The Rough Patch by Brian Lies
• Fairy Dog Heaven by Patrese Fischer
• Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant
• Dear Brave Friend by Leigh Ann Gerk
• Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinne Demas

Picture Books to Help Kids Deal with the Loss of a Cat

• Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper
• The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst
• Forever In My Heart: A Picture Book In Verse For Children Grieving The Loss Of A Pet by Clementine Blevin
• Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant

Pet Loss Resources for Kids and Families

Navigating the loss of a beloved pet can be challenging for the entire family, and sometimes we all need a little extra support.

From online support groups and counseling services to informative articles and recommended reading lists, these resources offer guidance, comfort, and practical advice for those difficult days ahead.

Whether you’re looking for ways to explain pet loss to young children, seeking professional help, or simply wanting to connect with others who understand what you’re going through, you’ll find tools here to support your family’s healing journey.

Remember, it’s okay to reach out for help – these resources are here to provide the extra care and understanding you might need during this emotional time.

• Pet Loss Resource Packet
• My Pet is Gone free printable grief workbook for children
• I Miss My Pet free printable workbook for children
• Family-friendly ways to help kids grieve from Psychology Today  
• Pet Lost Support Email Series from Pocket Pet
• Support for grieving an unusual pet from the Ralph site
• Help Guide from HelpGuide.org
• Resources from The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center

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Losing a pet is never easy, and it’s especially hard for kids who may be experiencing loss for the first time. Providing them with creative outlets to express their feelings and honor their pet’s memory can help them navigate their grief in a healthy and meaningful way.

Whether it’s through art, writing, or ceremony, these activities allow kids to process their emotions and hold on to the special bond they shared with their pet. Over time, these memories and tributes will become a source of comfort, reminding them of the love and joy their pet brought into their life.