Goodtalk
Goodtalk

Feelings Cards for Kids

Feelings are easier to talk about once they have a name. Each card has one feeling and two questions that kids can answer with a little story. Play the cards on your phone or print them as a PDF.

Good for: Kids from about age 5 together with an adult, at home, in early grades and in after-school care.

Play 24 cards

Tips for playing

  • Let your child pick the card, and feel free to answer first so they hear that grown-ups have feelings too.
  • It's fine to answer just one of the questions, or to pass.
  • Use the cards at a calm moment, not in the middle of a conflict.

Depth: lightLight questions

Easy to start with. Good for warming up.

  1. Happy: When were you last really happy? How can people tell when you're happy?
  2. Proud: When have you been proud of yourself? Who did you tell?
  3. Surprised: What's the best surprise you've ever had? What does your face look like when you're surprised?
  4. Tired: How can you tell that you're tired? What's the best thing to do when you're tired?
  5. Bored: When do you get bored the most? What can you do when you're bored?
  6. Brave: When have you been brave? What helped you find the courage?
  7. Safe: Where do you feel safest of all? Who makes you feel safe?
  8. Confused: When have you felt confused about something? Who can you ask when you don't understand?
  9. Thankful: What are you glad to have? Who would you like to say thank you to?
  10. Excited: What are you looking forward to right now? How does it feel in your body to be excited?
  11. Calm: Where do you feel completely calm? What do you do to calm down?
  12. Relieved: When have you felt relieved that something went well? What were you worried about before?
  13. Hopeful: What are you hoping for? Who could help you with it?

Depth: mediumA bit more personal

For when the conversation is flowing.

  1. Sad: What makes you sad? What helps when you're feeling sad?
  2. Angry: What can make you angry? What do you do when you need to let your anger out?
  3. Scared: What were you scared of when you were younger? Who helps you when you're scared?
  4. Nervous: When have you had butterflies in your tummy? What did you do to calm down?
  5. Jealous: When have you wanted something that someone else had? What did you do with that feeling?
  6. Embarrassed: What can make someone embarrassed? What can you say to someone who feels embarrassed?
  7. Lonely: How can you tell that someone feels left out? What can you do for someone who's lonely?
  8. Disappointed: When have you felt disappointed about something? What helped you afterward?
  9. Annoyed: What can annoy you? How can you say it kindly when something bugs you?
  10. Missing someone: What does it feel like to miss someone? What can you do when you miss someone?
  11. Frustrated: What's hard for you to learn? What do you do when something doesn't work the first time?

24 cards in this deck.