Make a simple fridge feelings chart
Write a few words on paper: happy, sad, angry, scared, calm, excited, and “not sure.” Add faces if your child likes drawing. Put it at their eye level and ask which word is closest today.
Do not make the chart a scorecard. Let your child pick more than one word or skip it. An AAP play guide suggests using play and feeling labels to make emotional conversations easier. Read more play ideas.
Draw what a feeling looks like
Ask “What would mad look like as a shape?” or “What color would proud be today?” Then let your child lead. You do not need to interpret their picture or save every page.
Smiley Man Check-In has optional drawing and color tools after a check-in. Drawing is included in the free experience.
Play feelings charades or a matching game
Take turns acting out a feeling with your face and body, then guess. Or pair a feeling word with a situation: “The picnic got rained out. What might someone feel?” More than one answer can make sense.
Keep it playful. Stop when the game stops being fun. The AAP includes feeling charades among activities families can practice while calm. See its suggestions.
Ask one storytime question
Pause at a picture and ask, “How do you think they felt when that happened?” Follow with “What do you see that makes you think so?” There is no need to correct a creative answer.
For another route into feelings words, explore the app’s Feelings Book together. Its eight core feelings are free; an expanded set requires paid Smiley Man Plus.
Start with free feeling faces. Optional Plus features require a paid subscription.
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