Games and Activities for Exploring Feelings with Children: Giving Children the Confidence to Navigate Emotions and Friendships

This is a fun, imaginative and creative resource designed to help children aged 7–13 get thinking and talking about their feelings and the issues that affect their lives.

It is packed full with games and activities that help children explore their emotions and express themselves positively. Activities surrounding issues such as peer relationships and friendships, bullying, offending, participation and citizenship are designed to build self-esteem, raise aspirations and increase motivation. They will also enhance emotional well-being and develop protective behaviours, encouraging children to speak out rather than act out, and helping to keep them safe and happy.

This is an ideal resource for all those working with children and looking for new and exciting ideas for games and activities, including teachers, youth workers, social workers and counsellors.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements.

Introduction.

Part 1. Making the Rules.

1. Parent/Guardian Consent.
2. Consent Form.
3. Group Rules.
4. Group Graffiti Wall.
5. Individual Contracts.
6. My Action Plan.

Part 2.. Getting to Know Each Other.

7. Introduction Circle.
8. My Timeline.
9. My Desert Island.
10. Spider's Web Map.
11. Share/Not Share.
12. Secrets.
13. The Truth, The Whole Truth...
14. This is Me!
15. Attitude Scale.
16. Colours.
17. Helping Hand.
18. Would You...?
19. Feelings File.
20. Things About Me.

Part 4. Expressing Yourself.

21. Picture Pairs.
22. Act Out Feelings!
23. Talk, Talk.
24. Reflective Listening.
25. Don't Laugh At Me!
26. Images.
27. Late for School!
28. That Makes Me Angry!
29. I Don't Want To!
30. My Home.
31. Name That Feeling!
32. Feeling Valued.

Part 5. Making Friends.

33. Friendship Line.
34. Magic Spell for a Friend.
35. Follow the Crowd.
36. Jealousy Bag.
37. Get Knotted!
38. My Space.
39. The Bus Stop.

Part 6. Endings.

40. Positive Thoughts.
41. Today I...
42. Faces.
43. Circle Time.
44. Picture This.
45. Headlines.
46. Gifts.