Tattoo Artist BooksThis article offers general information only. For diagnosis and treatment, talk to a professional such as a pediatrician, child psychiatrist or speech and language therapist.
Emotion cards are simple cards showing faces or feeling words, and they give a child practice in answering "what am I feeling?". The best feelings games for kids need nothing fancy: a few sheets of paper, a pen and ten minutes.
For a small child a feeling is something that happens in the body: a tight tummy, a shout, tears. Without a name, it just stays a big wave. Play is a low-pressure way to try out words for feelings. Below you will find how to make cards, nine games to play, and what to watch for at each age.
How to make emotion cards
Making them together turns the cards into part of the game. Start with six basics: happy, sad, angry, scared, surprised, embarrassed. For a toddler, the first three are plenty.
- Cut paper into 8 to 12 pieces.
- Let your child draw a face on each one. It does not have to look perfect.
- Write the feeling word on the back in capital letters if your child reads.
- Optionally add a small arrow or body outline: "where do I feel it?" (tummy, chest, hands).
- Keep the cards in one envelope in a shared spot.
Photos of faces cut from magazines work well too. Seeing that the same feeling looks different on different faces is a bonus.
9 feelings games for kids
1. Draw a card and act it out
Your child picks a card and shows the feeling with face and body. You guess, then swap. If you are both laughing, it is working.
2. When did you feel this?
Draw a card and ask "when did you last feel like this?" Do not push if there is no answer. Start with your own example: "I felt frustrated in the queue yesterday."
3. Feelings weather report
Each morning or evening pick a card: "Is it raining or sunny inside today?" Once it becomes a routine, children often find their own way to describe the day.
4. Finish the story
"Mia was waiting her turn at the park and someone jumped in front. How did she feel? What could she do?" Answers are shown with cards. Link the story to something your child has experienced.
5. Feelings detective
Look at a character's face in a picture book and find clues together: "I think she is surprised because her eyes are wide." This is one of the easiest activities for recognising emotions to do at home.
6. Calm-down cards
A second deck with calming ideas: deep breaths, a big hug, a sip of water, drawing a picture. Choose them together at a calm moment; introducing them mid-meltdown rarely works. For heated moments, see our article on anger management activities for kids.
7. Feelings bingo
Use a 3 by 3 grid of faces. Family members share a moment ("I was surprised at school today") and the child marks the matching square. When adults join in, talking about feelings becomes normal.
8. Mirror game
Sit facing each other and copy each other's expressions, changing slowly. Children discover how a face can show different feelings.
9. Feelings statue
One person becomes a statue showing a feeling with the whole body; the other guesses. A good one for children who need to move.
Choosing activities by age
| Age | Good fit | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 | Copying faces, mirror game, 3 feelings | Keep it very short; use faces and body, not words |
| 4-5 | Act it out, finish the story, feelings weather | Do not force answers; model them |
| 6-9 | Bingo, detective, calm-down cards | Talk about intensity (a bit angry vs. very angry) |
If you cut cards into small pieces, do not leave them with a child under three unsupervised, because small parts are a choking hazard. For a broader list by age, see social-emotional learning activities.
Making cards part of everyday life
- At dinner: everyone shows a card for how their day felt. Adults join in, so the child sees that grown-ups have feelings too.
- After school: "Which card is today?" can bring a richer answer than "How was school?"
- At bedtime: pick two cards, the nicest feeling of the day and the hardest. Keep it short and judgment-free.
- While reading: hold up a card when a character feels something.
You can also show that feelings come in sizes. A small ruler or a drawn scale lets your child place the same card at "a little" or "a lot".
What to avoid
- Brushing feelings off ("there is nothing to be sad about"). Name the feeling first.
- Sorting feelings into good and bad. They all carry information.
- Turning the game into a quiz or a lesson. If your child is tired, stop.
If you pick a screen-based feelings game, look for one without ads or purchase prompts that you can play together. We do not give a fixed number of minutes for screen time: check current guidance from child health organisations and ask your pediatrician. Our guide to choosing safe apps for kids lists what to check.
Frequently asked questions
From what age can I use emotion cards?
From about two or three, in a simple form such as copying faces and body language. Children vary. If words are still developing, start with pictures and acting.
What if my child does not want to talk about feelings?
Do not push. Share your own feelings, leave the cards within reach and try again later. If emotional difficulties last a long time or disrupt daily life, talk to a pediatrician or child psychiatrist.
Do feelings games stop tantrums?
We make no such claim. Games can give fun practice in naming feelings. Tantrums are also a normal part of childhood; if you are worried, ask a professional.
Do I need to buy a card set?
No. Homemade cards often get more interest because the child drew them.
At OdenaVerse we are developing Kaşif Ormanı (in Turkish for now), a game for ages 3 to 9 with attention, memory and learning games. It is not released yet, and it does not claim to solve any problem. If you are concerned about your child's emotional development, please talk to a pediatrician, child psychiatrist or other qualified professional for diagnosis and treatment.