Emotion Regulation Games for Kids: Exploring Feelings and Building Resilience

Emotion regulation plays a crucial role in children's development, shaping their ability to navigate the ups and downs of life.

Ever watch your kid have a total meltdown and think “I wish I had a manual for this”?

Here’s the thing about big feelings - they’re overwhelming for adults, let alone our little ones who are just figuring out why their body feels like it’s going to explode when they’re angry, or why their tummy gets butterflies when they’re nervous.

But here’s some good news: teaching kids how to handle these big emotions doesn’t have to feel like another serious task on your parent to-do list. Games can actually be one of the most powerful ways to help kids understand and manage their feelings.

(And bonus: they’re actually fun for us too!)

In this guide, we’re diving into simple games that help kids explore their emotions, build their emotional vocabulary, and develop those crucial coping skills they’ll need throughout life. No perfect parenting required - just real strategies that actually work.

Looking for an actual guide to work on Working Through Emotions?

I have created this for you and your kids to explore together.

  Understanding Emotions and Moods (Because They’re Not the Same Thing!)

Think of emotions like weather - they blow in fast and intense (hello, toddler tornado of anger over the wrong color cup), but they usually don’t stick around too long.

Moods? They’re more like the climate - hanging around for hours or even days, affecting everything from how we see the world to how we react to that spilled milk at breakfast.

One of my favorite tools for helping kids understand all these feelings is something called a feelings wheel. Picture it like a pizza cut into different emotional slices. The middle has those big feelings we all know - happy, sad, mad, scared (the emotional equivalent of pizza basics like cheese and pepperoni). But then the outer edges get more specific - like the difference between being annoyed and being furious, or between feeling excited and feeling peaceful.

(Fun fact: When I introduced this to my own kids, my youngest called it the “feelings pizza” and honestly? That name kind of stuck!)

This visual guide helps kids put words to what they’re feeling - because sometimes “I’m mad!” might actually mean “I’m frustrated” or “I’m embarrassed,” and having those specific words can make ALL the difference in how we help them cope.

Here’s the real magic of the feelings wheel: it gives kids (and let’s be honest, us parents too) actual words for what’s happening inside. Because “I’m SO MAD” hits different when a kid can point to a wheel and say “Actually, I’m feeling disappointed because I thought we were going to the park.”

Trust me - the first time your child names a specific feeling instead of having a meltdown? It’s like watching a tiny emotional breakthrough happen right in front of you.

Try this: Next time your kid is having a moment, pull out the feelings wheel. Ask them to point to what they’re feeling. No pressure, no right or wrong answers. Just curiosity and connection. You might be surprised at what they share when they have the right tools to express themselves.

Because here’s what I’ve learned: When kids understand their feelings, they’re better equipped to handle them. And isn’t that what we all want? Kids who can navigate their emotional world with confidence (and maybe fewer meltdowns in the Target toy aisle).

 The Importance of Emotion Regulation (Or Why This Actually Matters)

Let’s get real about why teaching our kids to handle their emotions is such a big deal. Because it’s not just about fewer meltdowns in the grocery store (though… wouldn’t that be nice?).

 1. Impulsive Behavior:

Remember that time your little one had a complete meltdown because their sandwich was cut in triangles instead of squares? That’s what we call impulsive behavior.

Without the tools to manage big feelings, kids react first and think… well, never. But when they learn to regulate those emotions? They start to pause, breathe, and maybe even use their words instead of their outside voice.

 2. Difficulty in Social Interactions:

Ever watch your kid on the playground when emotions are running high? Those unregulated feelings can turn a simple game of tag into a dramatic exit worthy of a reality TV show.

Teaching regulation helps them navigate friendship dramas and playground politics with actual words instead of stomping away (or worse, pushing).

 3. Improved Self-Control:

Think of emotion regulation like building your kid’s internal control panel. Each time they learn to take a deep breath instead of screaming, or count to ten instead of hitting - they’re strengthening that muscle of self-control. And trust me, this pays off BIG TIME later.

 4. Resilience:

Life’s going to throw some curveballs at our kids (doesn’t it always?). But kids who can regulate their emotions? They’re better equipped to handle those curveballs without falling apart. It’s like giving them an emotional safety net.

 5. Emotional Well-being:

When kids understand and can manage their feelings, they just feel better about themselves. It’s like finally having the owner’s manual to their own emotions. This confidence? It’s pure gold for their mental health..

 6. Academic Success:

Try focusing on fractions when you’re feeling all the feelings. Not easy, right? Kids who can regulate their emotions have an easier time focusing in class, handling test anxiety, and navigating all those social dynamics that come with school life.

 Games for Exploring Emotions

1. Emotion Charades:

(And before you worry - this isn’t one of those Pinterest-perfect games that requires 3 hours of prep and a craft store run!)

How to Play Emotion Charades:

Grab some paper, tear it into pieces, and write down different feelings. Mix it up - go beyond just happy and sad. Think “frustrated,” “excited,” “nervous,” or my personal favorite “hangry” (because let’s be real, that’s a whole mood).

The Rules? Super simple:

• Split into teams (or play one-on-one with your kiddo)

• Take turns acting out the emotions

• No words allowed (the dramatic faces are half the fun!)

• Other players guess what you’re feeling

• Most correct guesses wins (if you’re keeping score - totally optional!)

 Benefits of Emotion Charades:

First off, it gets kids moving and being silly - which is sometimes exactly what they need when dealing with big feelings. But the real magic? It teaches them to recognize emotions in others. That moment when your kid says “Oh! You’re frustrated just like I was this morning!” That’s emotional intelligence growing right before your eyes.

Plus, it’s teaching empathy in a way that doesn’t feel like teaching. When kids have to act out “disappointed” or “worried,” they’re literally putting themselves in someone else’s emotional shoes.

 2. Feelings Jenga: The Game That Gets Kids Talking

Remember regular Jenga? We’re giving it an emotional twist that’ll have your kids sharing stories they might normally keep locked up tight.

The Setup (Super Easy, I Promise):

Grab your Jenga set and a marker. Write different feeling prompts on the blocks like:

• “Tell us about something that made you proud today”

• “What makes you feel nervous?”

• “Share a time when you felt brave”

• “What helps you calm down when you’re mad?”

(Quick mom hack: If you don’t want to write directly on your Jenga set, stick some masking tape on the blocks and write on that instead!)

How to Play:

It’s just like regular Jenga, but with a twist. Pull a block, share a story. That’s it! The wobbly tower adds just enough excitement to make sharing feelings feel more like fun and less like therapy.

Why This Game is Magic:

You know those car rides where you ask “How was your day?” and get a grunt in response? This game somehow bypasses that wall of silence. Maybe it’s because everyone’s focused on not letting the tower fall, or maybe it’s because sharing feels safer when it’s part of a game.

I’ve seen the quietest kids open up during this game. There’s something about the combination of play and gentle prompting that just… works.

(True story: My middle kid shared a playground worry during this game that he’d been keeping to himself for weeks. All while trying to carefully pull out a middle block!)

 3. Emotion Memory Game (AKA: The Game That Actually Keeps Kids at the Table!)

Remember that matching game you played as a kid? We’re giving it an emotional upgrade, and trust me - this version does double duty: it keeps kids entertained AND helps them learn about feelings. Win-win!

The Setup (No Artistic Skills Required!):

You’ve got options here:

• Go super simple: Draw basic emoji-style faces on index cards

• Get fancy: Cut out expression pictures from magazines

• Meet in the middle: Print emoji faces from your computer
  (My kids actually love drawing the emotion cards themselves - instant art project!)

How to Play:

It’s classic matching with a feelings twist:

• Spread cards face down

• Take turns flipping two at a time

• Find matching emotions

• Keep matches you find

• Most matches wins (if you’re counting!)

Why This Game is Brilliant:

First off, it’s weirdly addictive. But beyond that? Kids are literally getting a crash course in reading emotions while they’re just trying to win a game. Sneaky, right?

Make It Even Better:

Here’s my favorite twist - when someone finds a match, they share a time they felt that emotion. “Oh, excited? Like when we got ice cream after soccer!” It turns a simple memory game into a conversation starter.

(Real talk: This game has saved many a rainy afternoon in our house. And it fits in a ziplock bag - perfect for restaurants or doctor’s waiting rooms!)

Pro Parent Tips:

• Start with just a few basic emotions for little ones

• Add more complex feelings as kids get older

• Make multiple sets - one will definitely get lost!

• Keep one set in your bag for emergency entertainment

 4. Emotion Sorting: The Game That Makes Sense of Feelings

You know how kids love to organize things? (Okay, maybe not their rooms, but stick with me here!) This game taps into that natural sorting instinct to help them understand different feelings.

The Setup (Keep It Simple):

• Grab some photos showing different emotions (magazines are perfect for this)

• Make simple category labels (“Happy Pile,” “Mad Pile,” etc.)

• Or go digital with photos from your phone
  (My kids love using family photos for this - nothing beats sorting through pics of their own dramatic moments!)

How to Play:

It’s basically emotional organizing:

• Spread out your emotion categories

• Take turns picking pictures

• Sort them into feeling families

• Talk about why each picture belongs where it does

Make It Interactive:

Here’s where it gets fun. Ask questions like:
“How can you tell this person is excited?”
“What do you think happened right before this picture?”
“Have you ever felt like that?”

Why This Game Actually Works:

Kids are natural sorters and categorizers - it helps them make sense of their world. When we apply this to emotions, magic happens. Suddenly, feelings aren’t just this big overwhelming mess - they’re organized and manageable.

Real Mom Tricks:

• Use it during calm moments to prepare for big feelings later

• Make a travel version with just a few categories

• Keep adding new emotions as your kids grow
  (We started with happy/sad/mad and now have categories like “frustrated,” “overwhelmed,” and my 6-year-old’s contribution: “hangry”)

Quick Story: Last week, my youngest was having a tough moment and actually said, “I think I’m in the frustrated pile right now.” I nearly fell over - this stuff really works!

Questions That Get Kids Talking About Feelings (Without Feeling Like an Interrogation)

Let’s be real - getting kids to open up about their feelings can feel like trying to open a jar that’s been stuck for years. But I’ve found some questions that actually work (tested on my own kids and tons of others!).

The Magic is in the Timing:

Quick tip before we dive in: These questions work best during calm, connected moments - like car rides, bedtime, or while doing something side-by-side. Not so much during meltdowns!

Questions That Actually Get Answers:

In the Car (When You’ve Got a Captive Audience):

• “So what was the most annoying thing that happened today?”
  (Kids LOVE sharing what bugged them, and it often opens up bigger conversations)

• “Who got in trouble at school today?”
  (Trust me - they’ll tell you everything, including their own drama)

During Side-by-Side Activities (Like Making Dinner or Walking):

• “That looked like a rough day. Want to tell me who ticked you off?”

  (Sometimes naming the emotion for them opens the door)

• “Remember when I totally messed up at work last week? I had another moment like that today…”

  (Sharing our own stuff first makes it safer for them to share)

When They’re Already Upset:

• “Looks like you’re having a garbage day. Want to sit here and be mad together?”

  (Sometimes they just need permission to feel awful)

• “Want to tell me about it, or do you need a minute?”
  (Giving them control over the conversation actually makes them more likely to talk)

After a Meltdown (When Everyone’s Calm):

• “That was a rough one, huh? What do you think set that off?”
  (They’re often more insightful than we expect)

• “Next time we feel like that, what should we try?”
  (Making it a ‘we’ problem feels less blame-y)

The Reality Check:

• Some days they’ll talk, some days they won’t

• Younger kids might need simpler options (“Thumbs up or down day?”)

• Teens might prefer texting about feelings (seriously - it works)

• Sometimes “I don’t know” really means “I’m not ready to talk”

What Actually Works in Our House:

• Rating the day on a scale of “amazing” to “total trash”

• Using movie characters to describe feelings (“I’m having a Hulk moment”)

• Talking about other kids’ feelings first

• Making it funny (“Was your teacher as cranky as our cat today?”)

(True story: Found out about major friendship drama because I asked my kid if anyone had a worse lunch than my soggy sandwich. Sometimes the dumbest questions get the biggest answers.) 

 Conclusion: Let’s Get Real About Kids and Feelings

Here’s the thing about teaching kids to handle their emotions: It doesn’t have to be complicated. We’re not running therapy sessions - we’re playing games, asking real questions, and creating moments where talking about feelings feels normal, not weird.

What Actually Works:

• Turn it into a game (because everything’s better when it’s fun)

• Keep it casual (no one wants a feelings lecture)

• Make it part of daily life (like those car ride chats)

• Show them we’re still figuring it out too

The Payoff? It’s Huge:

• Fewer meltdowns (not zero - let’s be realistic!)

• Kids who can actually tell you what’s wrong

• Better friendships (because they understand feelings)

• More confidence handling tough situations

• Easier school days (emotions and learning are totally connected)

Remember This:

You don’t need to be perfect at this. Some days you’ll play emotion charades and have breakthrough moments. Other days you’ll all end up crying over spilled milk. That’s okay - it’s all part of the process.

Start Small:

• Try one game this week

• Ask one real question during your next car ride

• Pull out that feelings wheel when everyone’s calm

• Share your own “today was tough” story at dinner

(Quick story: Yesterday my kid used our calm-down corner without being prompted. Was it perfect? Nope. Did it beat the usual meltdown? Absolutely. Progress, not perfection, people!)

Because here’s the truth: Every time we make feelings a normal part of the conversation, we’re helping our kids build skills they’ll use for life. And sometimes, that starts with something as simple as a game of emotional Jenga or a “how was your day, really?” chat.

Want These Tools at Your Fingertips?

I’ve put together something special for those “I need help RIGHT NOW” moments. (Because we’ve all been there - staring at a crying kid and thinking “What do I do with this?!”)

Our Family Emotions Toolkit includes:

• A kid-tested feelings wheel that actually makes sense

• Simple activities you can pull out during tough moments

• Games that work (even with the most feelings-resistant kids)

• Real strategies for real families

(And yes, everything’s printable because sometimes you need it at 7am on a Tuesday)

The best part? It’s all in one place. No more late-night Googling “how to help angry child” or scrolling through endless Pinterest boards.

➡️ Click HERE to get your toolkit

(True story: A mom messaged me last week saying her 5-year-old now carries the feelings wheel in his backpack. He pulls it out when he’s upset and points to what he’s feeling. THAT’s the kind of practical tool we’re talking about!)

PS: If you’re thinking “Will this actually work for MY kid?” - that’s exactly who I made this for. Because sometimes we all need a little help turning big feelings into manageable moments.