Feelings Charades Cards: Free Printables for Kids – Looking for free printable feelings charades cards you can use tonight at home or Monday morning in class? This page explains what the game is, why it works, how to play it, and where U.S. parents, teachers, and counselors can download legitimate free cards.
Feelings charades (also called emotion charades) is a no-talk acting game. A player draws a card, acts out the emotion with face and body only, and everyone else guesses the feeling. It is one of the simplest social-emotional learning (SEL) games you can run with almost no prep.
What Feelings Charades Cards Are?
Feelings charades cards are small printable prompts. Each card shows an emotion word, a face, or both. Common cards include happy, sad, angry, scared, surprised, shy, proud, worried, and frustrated. More advanced decks add complex feelings such as jealous, embarrassed, disappointed, or relieved.
You can use:
- Picture-only cards for preschoolers and pre-readers
- Word-only cards for older kids and teens
- Word-and-picture cards for mixed-age groups
Print them on standard U.S. Letter paper (8.5 x 11 inches), cut them apart, and keep them in a jar, envelope, or snack-size bag.
Why This Game Helps Kids?
Naming a feeling is a core self-awareness skill. Acting it out also trains kids to notice facial expressions and body language in other people, which supports empathy.
Teachers and counselors often use feelings charades to:
- Build emotion vocabulary
- Practice reading nonverbal cues
- Warm up a morning meeting or counseling group
- Give wiggly kids a movement break with a purpose
- Support English learners who need visual, physical practice
Keep the tone light. The goal is recognition and discussion, not perfect acting.
Feelings Charades Cards: Free Printables for Kids
How to Play Feelings Charades?
Players: 2 or more kids, plus one adult helper for younger groups. Four to 12 players works best.
Time: 10 to 20 minutes.
Rules:
- Shuffle the cards and place them face down.
- One player draws a card and does not show it.
- That player acts out the feeling with face, posture, and movement only. No talking, no sound effects if you want a stricter game.
- Everyone else guesses the emotion.
- After a correct guess (or a short time limit), pause and ask: “When might someone feel that way?” Then draw the next card.
Optional house rules: use a 30- or 45-second timer, play in teams, or award a point only if the guesser also names a situation that could cause that feeling.
How to Print and Prep the Cards?
Use regular printer paper for a one-time game. For a classroom set that will last all year:
- Print on cardstock
- Cut on the lines
- Laminate, or slip cards into trading-card sleeves
- Store extras in a labeled envelope
Coloring the cards first is a good quiet activity for younger kids. Picture cards also work as matching games, calm-down visuals, or “how do I feel?” check-in tools after you finish charades.
Where to Get Free Printable Feelings Charades Cards?
These sources offer real free downloads. A couple ask you to open a product page or create a free account. None of the links below are paid products.
1. Picture emotion charades cards (no signup)
Fun Stuff To Do has a free PDF of kids’ emotions charades cards with pictures. Download, print, and cut. No email is required. This is the fastest option if you need cards in the next five minutes.
2. Family-friendly feelings charades printable
Sago Mini Emotions Charades is a free kids’ printable made for families. Color the cards, cut them out, drop them in a bowl, and take turns acting and guessing. After each round, ask everyone to recall a time they felt that emotion.
3. Teacher-made emotion charades cards (free TPT download)
Emotion Charades Game Cards by SELTEACHER is a free three-page set for grades K–8. It includes basic emotion words, more complex emotion words, and a picture-and-word page. You need a free Teachers Pay Teachers account to download. Classroom teachers like this set because it scales from kindergarten faces to upper-elementary vocabulary.
4. Photo feelings flashcards you can use for charades
ESL Vault’s free feelings flashcards use photographs of real people, which helps kids who do not yet connect cartoon faces with real expressions. The site also suggests charades as a classroom activity. This pack works well for preschool, kindergarten, and English language learners.
5. Illustrated emotion cards plus activity ideas
Kindergarten Worksheets and Games offers a free emotion card pack and lists emotion charades as one of the suggested games. Print the faces, cut them apart, and use the same cards for matching, check-ins, or acting.
If a site later adds a paid bundle, stick to the free file listed on that page and do not pay unless you want extra pages.
Make Your Own Cards in 10 Minutes
No printer? Write one feeling per index card. Start with eight basics:
Happy, sad, angry, scared, surprised, silly, tired, proud
Then add stretch words for older kids:
Frustrated, embarrassed, jealous, lonely, grateful, disappointed, nervous, calm
For pre-readers, sketch a simple face or print emoji-style faces. Keep a few blank “wild” cards so kids can invent a feeling the group has not practiced yet.
Tips for Home, Class, and Counseling
Preschool and kindergarten: Use picture cards only. Model the first few emotions yourself. Accept close guesses (“mad” for “angry”).
Elementary: Mix word cards and picture cards. After each act, ask where in the body that feeling shows up (tight fists, slumped shoulders, bouncing feet).
Middle school and groups: Use complex feelings and follow each round with a short “what helps?” question, not a lecture.
Inclusive play: Some children find acting hard. Let them point to a face card, describe the feeling with one word, or coach a partner instead of performing.
Classroom management: Have guessers raise hands instead of shouting. Retire a card once it has been guessed so the same three emotions do not repeat.
Do not force a child to act out a feeling that is upsetting in the moment. Skip that card and come back later.
Brief FAQ
What age is feelings charades for?
Picture cards work around ages 3–6 with an adult helper. Word cards work best from about age 6 up. Mixed-age families can play if younger kids draw picture cards.
Do I need special paper?
No. U.S. Letter copy paper is enough. Cardstock lasts longer in a classroom.
Are these the same as feelings flashcards?
Almost. Flashcards teach the word and the face. Charades cards are meant to be drawn and acted out. Most free emotion cards can do both jobs.
Can I use these in therapy or special education?
Yes, as a low-pressure practice tool. Keep sessions short, offer a pass option, and talk about the feeling after the guess.
Is there a cost?
The five resources listed above are free to download for personal or classroom use. Check each page’s terms if you plan to share files school-wide.
Quick Start
Download one picture set and one word set, print two copies, and cut them the same night you need them. Play for 10 minutes. End by asking each child to name one feeling they had that day. That small routine is enough to turn free printable feelings charades cards into a tool kids will actually use.