Getting inside the brain of a young child can be a tough task.  However, creating spaces for children to explore their emotional intelligence and thoughts about feelings can make a big difference in how that child emotes and copes in their lives.  These conversations can be intentionally created with the use of board games that most families already have in the house! 

• Twister

How to play: Players draw a picture of an emotion using each of the colors from the Twister board.  Display this picture in a place easy to see.  Each color represents a different emotion.  

Round 1: Players must state the emotion when they have to put a hand or foot on the corresponding color.  

Round 2: Players must share about a time they felt that emotion when they have to put a hand or foot on the corresponding color.  

Round 3: Players must share a coping skill used when they are experiencing that emotion when they have to put a hand or foot on the corresponding color.  *Emotions can be changed each round as desired and rounds can be repeated as many times as wanted!

• Uno

How to play: Players draw a picture of an emotion using each of the colors from the Twister board.  Display this picture in a place easy to see.  Each color represents a different emotion.  From there, play Uno by its original rules but add in the layer of talking about the specific emotion assigned to each color when a player switches the color being played.

Alternative: When a player puts down a card that requires another player to pick up, list two coping skills that can be used when feeling a big negative emotion.

• Operation

(This one can take more prep work) First, create a new card for each body part used in the game.  On the back of the card write an emotion-centered question.  Examples: Funny Bone- What happens in your body when you feel embarrassed?, Butterflies in Stomach- How do you calm the butterflies in your stomach? When have they come before?, Broken Heart- What makes you feel better when you are upset?, Spare Ribs- When have you felt left out or lonely?, etc.  You can even come up with these questions together and switch them out each round!

How to play: Put the cards in a pile, then each player’s turn they pick the next card and if they get the part out without buzzing, they earn the points and answer the question (or you can switch it up and they choose someone else to answer the question!)

Find the right fit for your little ones.  These games are easily adaptable and you can even create the rules together!  But, make sure when changing the rules, they are clear, known to all players, and have them set before the game starts.  Talking about emotions and how we cope with them doesn’t need to feel uncomfortable or like work.  Turn it into something creative and fun for all!