Emotion Charades Generator
Generate emotion charades cards that reinforce SEL lessons, counseling check-ins, and expressive play at home.
1000+ words across 9 categories
Your Charades Words
Ready to play! 3 words generated
How to Play
- • One player acts out the word without speaking
- • Other players guess within the time limit
- • Use only gestures, facial expressions, and body language
- • No talking, pointing, or mouthing words
Emotion charades builds empathy while kids keep moving
Use this emotion charades generator when you want to reinforce SEL concepts, warm up a counseling group, or help families talk about feelings without a worksheet.
Why facilitators love it
- • Opens conversations about body language and tone.
- • Normalises big feelings with playful acting.
- • Encourages vocabulary growth beyond “happy” and “sad”.
- • Pairs perfectly with reflective journaling or drawing.
Where it works best
- • Elementary and middle school SEL blocks.
- • Youth group icebreakers before serious topics.
- • Speech therapy and social skills groups.
- • Family dinners or cabin retreats on rainy days.
Emotion charades activity ideas
Feelings freeze dance
Play music, pause suddenly, and act out the next emotion from your list.
- • Encourage dramatic facial expressions.
- • Let students guess before revealing the card.
- • Add a journaling prompt: “When did you feel this last?”
Counseling reflections
After each round, invite the group to share a story tied to the emotion.
- • Keep responses optional for quieter participants.
- • Validate every feeling as normal and manageable.
- • Summarise coping strategies mentioned by the group.
Family conversation cards
Hand each player one acted emotion to discuss at dinner.
- • Ask “What helps when you feel this?”
- • Let kids draw the emotion for the fridge.
- • Share a grown-up example to model vulnerability.
Tips for meaningful emotion charades
Set expectations gently
- Explain that different people show the same feeling in different ways.
- Allow passes if an emotion is too personal in the moment.
- Rotate between easy, medium, and hard emotions to avoid overwhelm.
Debrief every round
- Ask how body language gave away the feeling.
- Connect the emotion to coping skills or breathing exercises.
- Record favourite prompts to revisit progress later.
Link emotion charades to your broader program
Keep the momentum by weaving charades into journals, morning meetings, or therapy plans.
Classroom ideas
- • Start Monday meetings with a three-card warm-up.
- • Use emotion cards as exit tickets (“Show how you feel leaving class”).
- • Pair with literature discussions to map how characters feel.
Counseling & SEL groups
- • Match charades rounds with feelings thermometers.
- • Log who chooses which emotion to track participation.
- • Blend with mindfulness—act the feeling, then practice grounding.
Need a general word bank after your SEL block? Jump back to the main charades generator and keep the game night going with mixed prompts.
Emotion charades FAQ
How do I introduce emotion charades to students?
Model two or three emotions yourself first. Highlight exaggerated facial expressions and invite the class to describe what they saw. Then let teams volunteer to act out the next cards.
Which age groups benefit most?
Grades 2–8 respond especially well, but teens appreciate the reflection component when you pair acting with journaling or group discussion. Adults can use the same deck for team empathy training.
How can I support neurodivergent players?
Offer alternative communication options like drawing or using a prop, allow extra planning time, and make passes totally acceptable. Break larger groups into smaller pods to reduce sensory load.
Can I mix emotion charades with other categories?
Yes. Blend in actions, animals, or objects for reward rounds, or use the random charades generator for closing games once the SEL goal is met.