Feelings Chart for Kids

What is a feelings chart for kids?

A feelings chart for kids is a printable educational tool that helps children identify, name, and communicate emotions in a simple, safe way. It supports calm conversations at home, in nurseries, and in primary classrooms by giving children a clear visual vocabulary for feelings. Instead of asking a broad question that may be difficult to answer, an adult can invite the child to point to the expression that feels closest to their current mood.

After completing the form above, you will be taken to the English download page containing the printable emotion cards PDF and a Canva version. This free resource has a focused informational purpose and is separate from the centre's main programmes, enrolment, and service pages.

What is included in the printable emotion cards?

• Clear facial expressions for common emotions.
• A flexible design that can be printed as one chart or cut into individual cards.
• A practical activity for home, nursery, classroom, or counselling settings.
• A gentle way to start conversations about a child's needs without pressure or judgement.

How to use the feelings chart with your child

1. Choose a feeling: Ask your child to point to the face closest to how they feel now.
2. Name the emotion: Help them use a short sentence such as “I feel sad” or “I feel excited.”
3. Connect it to an event: Ask gently what happened and give them time to answer.
4. Identify the need: Discuss what may help, such as a break, a hug, assistance, or a quiet space.
5. Repeat regularly: Use the chart for a few minutes at a consistent time to build an emotional check-in routine.

Benefits of emotion activities for children

Emotion activities can expand a child's emotional vocabulary, help them notice the difference between anger, sadness, worry, and excitement, and make it easier to ask for help. They also give parents and educators a practical starting point for conversations about empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. When children learn that every feeling can be named and discussed, they often become more confident in expressing what they need.

This printable tool is educational and supportive. It is not a diagnostic resource or a substitute for professional advice when intense or persistent emotions affect daily life, relationships, sleep, or learning.

Simple activity ideas

• Pick one card in the morning and another at the end of the day.
• Act out an emotion with facial expressions and let others guess it.
• Choose a feeling for a story character and explain why.
• Create a calm “feelings corner” beside books or sensory tools.
• Sort cards into comfortable and uncomfortable feelings while explaining that no emotion is bad.

Helping children build emotional vocabulary

Young children may experience strong feelings before they have the words to describe them. A visual feelings chart bridges that gap. Start with a small number of familiar emotions, model the words during everyday moments, and avoid labelling any feeling as bad. The goal is to help children understand that every emotion carries information and that safe ways of expressing it can be learned.

Adults can model this skill with simple language: “I feel disappointed because our plan changed, so I will take a breath and choose another activity.” Short, honest examples show children how emotion words connect to events and constructive responses. Keep each check-in brief, listen without rushing to correct the child, and celebrate the effort to communicate.

Why visual emotion tools are useful

Feelings are abstract, while pictures are concrete and easier for many children to process. A visual chart reduces the pressure to find the perfect word immediately and gives the child time to observe, compare, and choose. Repeated use can make emotional check-ins more predictable, which is especially helpful during transitions, after a difficult moment, or when a child is tired. The same cards can also support group discussions about how different people may feel differently in the same situation.

Get the free feelings chart PDF

Complete the form above to open the English download page. You can save the printable PDF, open the Canva version, and reuse the cards for personal or educational activities. For more parenting and learning ideas, visit our blog, and learn more about the team behind this resource on our About Us page.

Frequently asked questions

What age is the feelings chart suitable for?

It is generally suitable for children aged four and above. Use simpler questions with younger children and more detailed situations with older children.

Can I print the file more than once?

Yes. The available version can be downloaded for personal or educational use and printed as a complete chart or as individual emotion cards.

When should I use a feelings chart?

Use it during a morning routine, after school, before bedtime, or after a difficult moment. Choose a time when the child feels safe, calm, and ready to talk.