Losing a pet is a heartbreak I know all too well, even as an adult. The bond we form with our animals is deeply personal and full of love, and when they’re gone, the grief can be overwhelming. I can only imagine how confusing and painful that loss must feel for a child who doesn’t yet have the language or tools to process something so big. That’s why I found this Pet Loss Activity Book for Kids to be such a special and meaningful resource.

This book is thoughtfully created for children ages 8 to 12, but its heart and compassion will resonate with anyone helping a young person through grief. It blends gentle guidance with creative, age-appropriate activities that help kids explore their feelings in a way that feels natural and comforting. With over 60 pages of word puzzles, journaling prompts, and drawing exercises, it turns something so heavy into small, manageable pieces a child can actually work through.

What I love most is how the activities are framed as play—but underneath, they’re offering real emotional support. From writing a letter to a pet who’s passed, to doodling memories or completing a puzzle that brings back joyful moments, every page gives children permission to feel, remember, and begin to heal. It doesn’t rush the process or try to fix the sadness. Instead, it meets kids exactly where they are, with understanding and tenderness.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, grandparent, or counselor, this book is a beautiful tool to have on hand when a child loses a pet. It doesn’t try to diminish the pain—they do hurt deeply—but it helps them feel less alone in that pain. I only wish something like this had existed when I was a child.