Looking for a fun way to explore big emotions with kids? I think we have just the game for you! This twist make the regular game of Jenga a great tool for talking with children about a whole range of emotions, how they make you feel and triggers for emotions.
DIY Exploring Emotions Jenga Game
You will need:
- A Jenga or Tumbling Towers type game
- Blackboard paint and liquid chalk pens in three different colours OR skip the paint and just use regular Sharpie/ permanent markers in three different colours
To make your game:
1. If using chalkboard paint, paint one side of each Jenga piece.
2. Once dry, label each piece with an emotion. Repeat each emotion with each of the three different coloured pens. Some suggestions for your emotions;
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Disgust
- Scared
- Worried
- Anxious
- Joy
- Excited
- Jealous
- Proud
- Loved
- Bored
- Annoyed
- Nervous
- Peaceful
- Mad
To play:
Play the game as you regularly would, taking turns to remove one plank at a time.
For each piece removed, the player must do one of three things depending upon which colour they removed from the stack. So, in our game,
- A pink piece = Name the emotion. Make a face that shows this emotion.
- A blue piece = Describe how your body feels when you feel this emotion.
- A white piece = Tell us about one time that you felt this emotion.
Do you have a favourite game for exploring emotions?
More resources for exploring emotions:
Christie Burnett is an early childhood teacher, presenter, writer and the editor of Childhood 101. More importantly, she is a Mum who believes wholeheartedly in the value of children learning through play, the importance of quality early education, and the togetherness of family.
