Little Hearts, Big Feelings - Emotional health activities for kids

Today, kids don’t just need a high IQ, they need a strong Emotional Quotient (or emotional intelligence) too. With Gen Alpha and Gen Beta growing up, surrounded by screens and smart tech, it’s unrealistic to keep them completely away from devices. But what we can do is equip them with the right tools to understand, express, and manage their emotions.

And guess what? Kids are natural learners — their emotions are raw, honest, and beautifully unfiltered. If we help them understand how to interpret their emotions now, we’re giving them a gift that will last a lifetime.

🏡 Summer = A perfect time to build emotional skills

Summer means more time at home, slower routines, and extra cuddles. Why not use this time to gently introduce emotional awareness activities into your child’s day?

Here’s how we do it in my home - My son and I usually wind down together at night — that’s our “chitchat time.” We laugh, ask each other silly questions, talk about our day, and even play little games focused on increasing emotional awareness. These quiet, connected moments are the best opportunities to build trust and emotional vocabulary.

🎨🧘‍♀️ My favorite emotional wellness activities for kids

Here are some fun, gentle ways to explore feelings — try them out and pick what fits your child’s vibe:

1. 🎨 Draw your feelings - Encourage kids to express their emotions through drawing. You can use simple color codes to represent feelings — red for anger, blue for sadness, yellow for joy, and green for calm. Let them paint, doodle, or scribble in any way that feels good to them. It’s a fun and creative way to help them show how they feel inside.

2. 🏃‍♂️ Physical play - Movement helps kids feel better. Activities like yoga, playing sports, or even a little safe roughhousing can help them release stress, calm their nervous system, and connect with their bodies. Let them run, stretch, or dance — it’s not just fun, it’s healing too.

3. ✨ Gratitude jars or journals - Helping kids notice the good things in their lives can be powerful. Create a gratitude jar or journal that’s fun and age-appropriate. Let them add stickers, drawings, or even record voice notes. They can write or say simple things like, “I’m happy I played with my friend today.” You can buy special journals or make your own with daily prompts to guide them.

4. 📚 Read about emotions together - Books and visuals make it easier for kids to understand feelings. Try using picture books, flashcards, or comics that show characters experiencing emotions. One great option is I AM!! Affirmations for Resilience — it’s full of positive, empowering messages that help kids feel understood and strong.

5. 🧘‍♂️ Practice mindful moments together - Mindfulness doesn’t have to be long or complicated. You can take deep breaths together, like pretending to blow bubbles or candles. Try short meditations, even just for a minute. You can also say positive affirmations out loud, like “I am strong. I am kind.” These little moments can help kids feel calm and confident.

Emotional health isn’t about being “happy all the time.” It’s about helping kids feel safe, seen, and supported — even on the hard days.

So, whether you're coloring with them, doing silly breathing, or just lying on the bed chatting about their day... you're doing an amazing job. 💛

And if you ever need visual tools or printable cards to guide your child’s emotional journey, I’ve got your back! Just reach out. 💌

Keep the love flowing. Hug often. Listen more. And celebrate every little step.

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