If you’re searching for kind, age-appropriate ways to help a child remember a beloved pet, choose gifts that invite gentle rituals and hands-on comfort. Memorial keepsakes, photo-ready mementos, and simple ceremonies help kids express love, keep a connection, and move through big feelings at their own pace.

We all know children grieve differently than adults. Most process loss through play, art, and tangible objects rather than long conversations. This guide shares 10 meaningful pet memorial gifts for kids, why each one helps, and sensitive tips for parents. We highlight Laurelbox’s personalized, child-safe options so you can send something beautiful, intentional, and comforting to a young heart that is hurting.

Just this past winter, my niece’s beloved dog unexpectedly died *on* Christmas day. Talk about terrible timing! She was devastated. My mom and I knew she’d appreciate a custom Laurelbox and chose a Pet Memorial Suncatcher and Rainbow Maker along with a custom memorial pet candle with her dog’s name on it. She was so appreciative and really felt connected to each item. Keep reading for other ideas for how to support a grieving child mourning the loss of a pet. 

• Pet loss is common in childhood. About 63% of kids with pets will experience a pet’s death by age seven.
• The impact can be long lasting. Pet loss can signal psychological distress and even depression for up to three years, according to the Harvard Gazette.
• Memorial keepsakes support healing bonds. A study found 100% of children used continuing bonds, like keepsakes and rituals, to cope.

Pet loss can be a major childhood event. Roughly 63% of children with pets experience a pet’s death by age seven, which means many families will navigate this conversation early. For kids, pets offer steady companionship, protection, and reassurance. When that bond ends, the sadness can run deep and last longer than adults might expect. Research from Massachusetts General Hospital linked pet loss to psychological distress and possible depression for up to three years, according to the Harvard Gazette. That means we need to love these kiddos well during difficult seasons like pet loss! 

Why grief looks different for kids

Children move through grief based on development.

• Preschoolers: May think the pet will return and act out death in play.
• School-age kids: Begin to grasp finality, yet still need concrete tools.
• Teens: Understand what happened but can feel isolated.

Purdue’s veterinary counselors offer age guidance that helps families set realistic expectations. In a related article, Dr. Joshua Russell described how kids ages 6 to 13 often call sudden pet loss the worst day of their lives because it makes the world feel unfair and unpredictable.

Continuing bonds help

Kids benefit from keeping a healthy connection to their pet. A mixed-methods study found that 100% of children used continuing bonds, like keepsakes, letters, or rituals, to cope with loss. Simple, tangible items help translate big feelings into actions. Some brief parenting tips: use clear words about death, repeat reassurance that the pet does not feel pain now, and invite questions over time. Avoid euphemisms like put to sleep, which can scare and confuse children at bedtime. No one needs additional stress at bedtime! 

Choose items that are safe for little hands, easy to personalize, and comforting to hold or see every day. Laurelbox offers a super sweet “Forever Paws” pet sympathy gift line that specializes in curated, child-friendly memorial gifts that arrive beautifully packaged, which makes sending support simple and sincere. 

1) Rainbow Sun Catcher

Hanging a prism in the window creates soft rainbows that feel like a hello from a beloved pet. Laurelbox’s Custom Pet Memorial Sun Catcher and Rainbow Maker offers an affordable, personalized option priced around $34. Best for preschoolers to teens, it turns light into a gentle daily reminder. We got one of these for my tween niece mentioned above and she loved it. 

2) Memory Box

A memory box gathers photos, tags, collars, and letters into one safe place. Laurelbox’s Pet Keepsake Memory Box is designed for small mementos and is priced at about $46. Kids can add drawings or notes over time, which supports ongoing connection.

3) Eco-friendly Memorial Candle

Lighting a candle (with parent supervision of course!) during bedtime or family stories becomes a soothing ritual. Laurelbox pours candles with 100% all-natural soy wax and ring-spun cotton wicks free of lead and zinc, and they are scented with premium essential oils for a gentle burn. This custom memorial candle in particular (along with the next one) received a 5-star review from Dogster. This could be a remembrance anchor for toddlers through teens with adult supervision. From my personal experience, if you have more than one child, there will be a fight over who gets to light the candle and who gets to blow it out. Just wanted to warn you :) 

4) Shatterproof Photo Frame

A favorite photo is powerful, especially when the frame is kid-safe. Laurelbox’s 4x6 magnetic acrylic Custom Pet Memorial photo frame avoids fragile glass and lets kids rearrange pictures as they like. Ideal for all ages, from a child’s nightstand to a teen’s desk. Maybe print out a number of different photos to give the child agency to choose or rotate as they’d like. 

5) Wearable Jewelry

Engraved bracelets or necklaces help older kids feel close to their pet at school. Morse code bracelets or tiny cremation pendants are meaningful for tweens and teens who prefer private remembrance. Jewelry offers a portable way to maintain bonds. 

6) Wind Chimes

Soft sounds provide reassurance, especially in the backyard where kids may have played with their pet daily. Laurelbox offers a variety of custom outdoor-safe wind chimes for as low as $18! Children can help choose the hanging spot, which builds ownership of the ritual.

7) Storybook or Activity Book

Reading about pet loss normalizes feelings. Activity pages for drawing, memory prompts, and letter writing help kids process emotions when words are hard. Younger children benefit from simple language and pictures, while older kids can journal longer memories.

8) Rainbow Decals

Check out the “Always By My Side Pet Memorial Rainbow Decal” that is sure to bring smiles and happy memories. Designed to catch the sunlight and scatter rainbows throughout your space, this meaningful window decal honors the faithful companions who left paw prints on our hearts forever.

9) Plush Toy or Custom Pillow or Blanket

A soft plush shaped like the pet, or a photo pillow, offers tactile comfort at bedtime. This is especially soothing for preschoolers and early school-age children who reach for something to hold when they miss their companion. You could also design a pet photo blanket with a collage of photos. I know my littles love getting cozy fleece blankets and this would be especially meaningful to cuddle up with in memory of their beloved pet. 

10) Custom Pet Ornament 

A small ornament can become a yearly ritual of remembrance. Laurelbox’s Friend to the End Pet Memorial Ornament is a visual reminder of the love that was shared. Kids can hang it in a bedroom, on a Christmas tree, or from a special hook by a framed photo.

Rituals give kids structure when feelings are big and words are few. Pediatric palliative care guidelines from UCLA note that consistent, family-centered rituals can significantly support children moving through loss. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry also advises that including children in mourning teaches coping skills. We are all going to experience loss eventually, and helping kids navigate grief early can build great foundational skills that will benefit them as they grow up. 

Simple ways to participate

• Backyard goodbye: Light a memorial candle, read letters, and share favorite stories together. This offers agency and honors the pet’s role in family life.
• Plant and remember: Plant Forget-Me-Not seeds, place a small pet memorial garden stone, and invite your child to water weekly.
• Art as expression: Set out an art kit for drawing, making clay pawprints, or decorating a memory box. Creative acts give emotions a place to land.
• Daily touchpoints: Hang a sun catcher or rainbow decal where morning light shines or choose a wind chime spot together. Consistent cues become comforting routines.

Honest, simple language is kinder than vague phrases. Experts caution that euphemisms like put to sleep or went away can cause confusion and real anxiety around sleep or separation. Don’t add stress during bedtime! Use clear words:

• Our pet died.
• Their body stopped working.
• They are not in pain.
• They will not come back but we can love them forever.

Gentle scripts and choices

• Explain what happened and invite questions: “You can ask me anything, anytime.”
• Name emotions and model yours. In one family’s experience, openly crying and talking together after losing their dog helped two young children feel seen and safe.
• I personally LOVE the Raising Boys & Girls Parenting podcast hosted by two 30+ year licensed family therapists. Their insight is parenting gold and this episode might be helpful as it touches on how to grieve a pet as a family. 
• Offer developmentally appropriate choices. Veterinary guidance suggests that children about 10 and older can be given the option to be present during euthanasia if they wish, with support before and after.
• Avoid common pitfalls like promising a quick replacement or minimizing feelings. Psychology writers note that rushing to move on can unintentionally invalidate grief. Just like we would caution a friend who lost a spouse not to jump into a relationship right away, don’t rush into getting a new pet until you’ve walked down your grief path for a bit. 

Quick answers to common questions from parents and caregivers.

Do memorial gifts help children grieve?

Yes. Gentle remembrance gifts validate a child’s emotions and give them a tangible outlet. Research shows all children in one study used continuing bonds like keepsakes and rituals to cope with pet loss.

What should I avoid when talking to kids about pet loss?

Skip euphemisms such as put to sleep, went away, or saying they are lost. Children think literally, which can create fear around sleep or false hope the pet will return.

Can memorial rituals be part of healing?

Absolutely. Thoughtful rituals, like planting flowers or lighting a candle, help kids process finality and provide structure for ongoing remembrance.

Should my child attend a euthanasia appointment?

It depends on age and preference. Veterinary professionals suggest that children around 10 and older should generally have the choice, with preparation and support from adults.

Memorial gifts do more than decorate a shelf - they create space for memories and reflection. For kids, they are anchors for big emotions and everyday love. The research is clear that continuing bonds and simple rituals help children process loss and feel safe sharing their sadness. If you are choosing a gift for a grieving child, look for child-safe materials, personalization, and items that invite hands-on comfort or daily reflection. Laurelbox curates thoughtful, age-appropriate options like shatterproof photo frames, eco-friendly candles, and personalized sun catchers, so you can send something beautiful and intentional. When you are ready, explore Laurelbox’s Forever Paws pet memorial collection to find a piece that feels like your child’s pet, and let it become a gentle part of your family’s remembrance.