This study aimed to identify the instruments used to assess stress in children and/or adolescents in research in the field of psychology, published in Brazil in portuguese, between the years 2009 and 2019. The searches were carried out in the Scielo, Redalyc and BVS Brasil databases using the terms stress AND criança OR adolescente. After selection and screening, 16 articles met the inclusion criteria in the sample. There was a predominance of the use of the Escala de Stress Infantil (ESI) for assessment in children, while for assessment in adolescents the instruments were varied. The hospital and school were the main fields of use of the instruments, with sport practice, basic health care and public social assistance policy. The assessment of stress in children and adolescents is an important challenge in professional practice and the systematization of evaluation procedures can contribute to more effective and responsible intervention processes.