Helping kids identify and talk about emotions is such a valuable life skill that we can encourage as teachers and parents. It can be a challenge knowing where to start with such a big topic though. That’s where emotions wheels come into play.
Emotions wheels (or feelings wheels) provide a helpful visual reference for children when talking about emotions. They can be such a useful tool when it comes to introducing new emotional vocabulary to kids and can continue to be a helpful reference as children grow into adulthood. Here I’ll share 5 simple and effective ways that I recommend using emotions wheels with kids to help them identify and talk about feelings.
Start the Day with a Feelings Check-In
One of the easiest ways to introduce the Emotions Wheel to children is by starting a simple daily feelings check-in. For this activity, I recommend using the free digital version of the Kids’ Emotions Wheel available here.
Begin by showing the wheel and explaining how it works. Invite children to share how they’re feeling, starting with the broader emotions in the center of the wheel. Once they’ve chosen a general emotion, see if they can narrow down their feelings using the outer sections of the wheel. The digital version is especially helpful for this, as clicking on each emotion provides a clear, child-friendly explanation of its meaning.
Over time, it should become easier for children to identify their feelings, as they become more familiar with the different emotions on the wheel.
Keep Record of Emotions Explored in Class
Another helpful way to use an Emotions Wheel is by turning it into a visual tracker to record the emotions you’ve explored together in class or at home. Set aside time to dive into one emotion at a time, talking about what it means and when we might feel it. Each time you learn a new one, let children colour it in on their wheel. Little by little, you’ll fill the entire wheel—and they’ll have a bright, personalised chart they can proudly use whenever they want to talk about their feelings.
For this activity, you’ll need a printable Emotions Wheel. This free printable version of the Kids’ Emotions Wheel is perfect for the job.
Help Children Talk About Characters’ Emotions
Once children are familiar with the Emotions Wheel, you can build on their skills by exploring emotions through book characters. When you read a book, spend some time reflecting on the characters’ feelings. Use the digital emotions wheel or the printable emotions wheel to help give kids the vocabulary they need. You can encourage them to think about how the characters felt at different points in the story, and which events may have influenced the characters’ feelings to change. You could also ask children if they would have felt or responded the same way as the character did if they went through the same experiences. Over time, this reflection will become a natural part of your reading routine, helping kids develop empathy and a deeper understanding of others’ emotions.
Build Emotional Awareness with a Feelings Wheel Puzzle
After children have seen the Emotions Wheel a few times, you can make it more interactive by turning it into a puzzle. Using the Printable Emotions Wheel for Kids, print either a colour version or, for an added challenge, a black-and-white version. Cut out the individual emotions and have children piece the wheel back together. This hands-on activity not only makes learning fun but also helps you see how well they understand each emotion and the connections between the different categories.
Spin-the-Wheel Game: Name Emotions & Practise Healthy Responses
Finally, to review the emotions with your children, try a simple game like ‘Spin the Emotions Wheel’. The Digital Emotions Wheel for Kids allows you to spin the wheel around on a screen. Have children spin the wheel, randomly select an emotion, and then tell you what they know about that emotion. You can also ask them to share some helpful ways to respond when they are feeling that emotion. For added depth, follow up with extension questions, or, for extra support, focus only on the core emotions in the centre of the wheel.
I hope these ideas inspire you to start meaningful conversations with your children about feelings using the emotions wheel. By making emotions a regular topic in your home or classroom, you’re helping kids build the language, confidence and empathy they need to navigate their own feelings and understand those of others.
Are you looking for some intentional questions to ask kids while they learn? Then have a read through my post on Using Intentional Questioning in the Classroom.
P.S. I love to hear how my tips and resources are helping you in your teaching, so leave a comment to let me know!
Have a question or a request? You can contact me at blueskydesignsbymrst@gmail.com.
The Musings of Mrs T 
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