Talking about feelings activities for kids

Before you begin

Feelings are a normal part of every day, and every child learns their own words for them at their own pace. These games are simply ways to chat, draw and play with feelings in a relaxed moment. There are no right or wrong answers, every question is optional, and nobody has to share or name a feeling they would rather keep to themselves. Offer a choice rather than a command, share a feeling of your own now and then, and let your child stop whenever they like. Age hints are only a guide, so you know your child best.

1. Feelings faces drawing

Age hint: 3 and up.

Bring: paper, pencils or crayons, and a mirror if you like.

1. Fold a page into six boxes and draw a plain circle in each one.
2. Take turns choosing a feeling, such as happy, sleepy, surprised, cross, shy or worried.
3. Make that face in the mirror or at each other, then draw it in a circle with eyes, eyebrows and a mouth.
4. Add a name under each face, written by you or by your child.

Notice: Which face was the easiest to draw, and which one made you giggle?

2. Feelings weather report

Age hint: 3 and up.

Bring: paper, a pencil, and a few crayons for sun, cloud, rain and wind.

1. Draw a little weather map with room for a sun, a cloud, a raindrop and a gust of wind.
2. Ask, "What is the weather inside you today?" Your child can point, draw it or say "pass".
3. Give a short report in a news-reader voice, for example, "Mostly sunny with a small cloud after lunch."
4. Take a turn with your own report, and look at tomorrow's forecast together.

Notice: If you like, did the weather change between morning and evening?

3. Puppet or soft-toy chat

Age hint: 3 and up.

Bring: a puppet, sock or soft toy.

1. Sit together and let the toy say hello in a silly voice.
2. Let the toy share how it feels, such as, "I feel a bit wobbly because I lost my sticker."
3. Ask your child if they would like to give the toy a hug, a hint or a question.
4. Let your child speak for the toy too, if they wish. There is no need to say anything at all; watching is fine too.

Notice: What do you think the toy needs right now?

4. Feelings story pause

Age hint: 4 and up.

Bring: any picture book or story you already enjoy.

1. Pick a page where something happens to a character.
2. Stop reading and ask, "How do you think the character feels right now?"
3. Look at their face and body in the picture for clues, and wonder together why they might feel that way.
4. Read on, then ask whether the feeling changed by the end.

Notice: Only if you want to, have you ever felt like that character?

5. Two bowls: both feelings can be true

Age hint: 5 and up.

Bring: two bowls, paper, scissors (a grown-up does the cutting) and a pencil.

1. Cut paper into small chits and write or draw a feeling on each, such as proud, nervous, excited, sad or jealous.
2. Put the chits in a pile, and place two bowls side by side on the table.
3. Pick an event, such as the first day at school or a birthday party. Choose two different feelings you might have about it and drop one chit in each bowl.
4. Say, "It is okay to feel both at the same time." Swap and pick again.

Notice: Only if you want to, can you think of a time when two feelings arrived together?

6. Feelings word jar

Age hint: 5 and up.

Bring: a clean, dry jar or tin, paper strips and a pen.

1. Write a feeling word on a strip whenever you hear or learn a new one, and fold it into the jar.
2. Once a week, pull out one or two words and talk about what each one might look or sound like.
3. Act it out, draw it or tell a short story using that word.
4. Let your child add words they invent, and keep the jar somewhere easy to reach.

Notice: Which word would you like to add to the jar next?

A note for grown-ups

If a child seems very sad, worried or angry for a long time, or if you are concerned about their feelings or behaviour, please talk to their doctor, teacher or a counsellor. This page is not medical or mental-health advice, and these games are not a treatment or a test. They are just friendly ways to play and chat at home or in class.

More to do on Rangooo

Try some calm down activities for big moments, spread warmth with kindness activities, write down good things with gratitude journal prompts, read friendship stories, try some friendship activities, make characters with puppet and shadow play, find storytelling activities at home, browse more stories and activities, or see resources for teachers.

Questions

What age are these feelings activities for?

Most of these ideas suit ages three to eight with a grown-up. Feelings faces, the weather report and puppet chat work well for the youngest children, while the two-bowl game and the word jar suit slightly older ones.

When is a good time to try them?

Quiet, ordinary moments can be a nice time to play, such as after a meal, on a car ride or before bed. Pick a time when everyone is relaxed and there is no hurry, and stop whenever your child wants to.

What if my child does not want to talk?

That is fine. Offer to draw, point or use a puppet instead of speaking, or simply do the activity yourself nearby and let your child watch. Never push, and try again another day.

Do we need to find the right word for every feeling?

No. Simple words such as happy, sad, cross, worried or excited are plenty to begin with. A grown-up can share a few extra words over time, and a child is free to make up their own.