Feelings wheel for kids

Two ways to use it

For a check-in, do not spin. Show the wheel and let each child name or point to the feeling closest to theirs. A feeling is not random, and a child should never be told how they feel by a wheel.

For practice, spin. A random feeling gives children a safe, impersonal way to talk about emotions: “Tell me about a time someone might feel jealous.” It is easier to talk about a feeling in general before talking about your own.

Feelings games for the classroom

• Act it out (ages 4–7): spin, and the class shows the feeling with face and body. Ask what they notice: where do they feel angry in their body?
• Name a time: spin and share a time you, or a character from a book you read together, felt that way. Model it first yourself.
• What helps: spin an uncomfortable feeling and brainstorm three things that help, like deep breaths, a drink of water, or asking an adult.
• Feelings detective: read a picture book and pause; a student spins and the class decides if any character feels that way right now.

Keep it safe and inclusive

Let children pass. Nobody has to share, and “I don’t want to talk about it” is a fine answer. Treat every feeling as OK to have, even if not every action is OK. For children aged 4–6, cut the list to six: happy, sad, angry, scared, calm and excited, then add more as their vocabulary grows.

This wheel is for everyday emotional vocabulary, not for assessing a child. If something a child shares worries you, follow your school’s safeguarding procedure or speak to the school counselor.