Describe the emotions your audience will feel
Create a set of emotion cards describing how your audience might feel in various situations, using drawings, colors, and short descriptive sentences.
Step-by-step guide to create a set of emotion cards describing how your audience might feel
How Do You Feel? | Help Kids Learn About BIG Emotions | Lessons From Khan Academy Kids
Step 1
Gather all Materials Needed.
Step 2
Decide on 8 emotions you want to show.
Step 3
Cut your paper or index cards into 8 equal rectangles so you have one card per emotion.
Step 4
Lightly write one emotion name at the top of each card with your pencil.
Step 5
Write one short sentence on each card describing how your audience might feel in a specific situation.
Step 6
Draw a face or small scene on each card that shows the emotion you named.
Step 7
Color each drawing using colors that match the feeling on that card.
Step 8
Trace important words and the drawing outlines with the black marker so they stand out.
Step 9
Decorate the edges or add stickers or tape to make each card look fun.
Step 10
Share your finished emotion cards on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of index cards or a black marker if we can't find them?
If you don't have index cards, cut regular printer paper or a cereal box into eight equal rectangles as in the 'Cut your paper or index cards into 8 equal rectangles' step, and substitute a dark pen or crayon for the black marker when you 'Trace important words and the drawing outlines'.
My drawings don't clearly show the emotions—what should we do?
If a card's emotion isn't clear, follow the 'Draw a face or small scene' step again, exaggerate eyebrow and mouth shapes and body posture, then retrace the important lines with the black marker so the emotion stands out as instructed in 'Trace important words and the drawing outlines'.
How can we change the activity for younger or older kids?
For younger children, parents can pre-cut the eight rectangles, lightly write the emotion names, and let kids color simple faces and add stickers from the 'Decorate the edges or add stickers' step, while older kids can write longer situational sentences, draw detailed scenes, and decorate edges themselves before sharing on DIY.org.
How can we make the emotion cards into a longer or more personal project?
To extend the activity, decorate each card as instructed, then laminate or cover them with clear tape from the 'Decorate the edges' step, add a binder ring or Velcro to make a flip set, and write extra situational sentences on the back for a matching or storytelling game before posting on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to create a set of emotion cards describing how your audience might feel
Emotions for Kids | Identifying and Managing Feelings | It's Easy With Twinkl | Twinkl USA
4 Videos
Emotions for Kids | Identifying and Managing Feelings | It's Easy With Twinkl | Twinkl USA
Small, Medium, & Big Emotions | Feelings and Emotions for Kids | Khan Academy Kids
Feelings for Kids | Fun Learning About Emotions | Happy, Sad, Angry & More | Nursery Kids lesson
Emotions for Kids! | What are Emotions? | Emotions vs. Feelings | Twinkl USA
Facts about social-emotional learning for kids
👶 Babies begin smiling socially around 6–8 weeks, one of the earliest ways they communicate emotions.
🎨 Colors can change how we feel—blue often feels calm, yellow can feel happy, and red can feel exciting or urgent.
🖍️ Drawing and labeling feelings helps kids build emotional vocabulary and understand emotions better.
🃏 Emotion cards are used by teachers and therapists to help people practice recognizing, naming, and talking about feelings.
😊 Many researchers point to six basic emotions people around the world often recognize: happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger, and surprise.
How do I create emotion cards that show how my audience might feel in different situations?
What materials do I need to make emotion cards with my child?
What ages is the emotion-card activity suitable for?
What are the benefits of making emotion cards with children?
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