Helping Kids Express Their Emotions: The Emotions Taboo Game

Do you ever feel like your child’s emotions are a mystery? One moment they’re all giggles, and the next, they’re in full meltdown mode—without being able to tell you why. You’re not alone! Many young children struggle to put their feelings into words, which can lead to frustration, tantrums, or completely shutting down. As parents and educators, we want to help kids understand and express their emotions in a healthy way. That’s where the Emotions Taboo Game comes in!

Why Building an Emotional Vocabulary Matters

Kids experience a rollercoaster of emotions every day, but if they don’t have the words to describe them, they may feel overwhelmed or misunderstood. Imagine feeling anxious but only knowing how to say you’re “mad” or “sad.” That’s what many children go through! Teaching kids a variety of emotion words fosters self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and stronger relationships.

A Fun and Engaging Solution: The Emotions Taboo Game

The Emotions Taboo Game turns emotional learning into a fun, interactive experience. Instead of struggling to name feelings, kids get to practice expressing them in creative ways. Here’s how to play:

1. Divide into Groups – Gather family members, children, or students and split them into teams. This game works great at home, in the classroom, or even at playdates!
2. Pick a Card – Each group selects a player who blindly picks an Emotions Taboo Card from the deck.
3. Show the Card – The selected player reveals the card to the opposing teams. The other teams make sure no forbidden words, gestures, or sound imitations are used.
4. Describe Without Taboo Words – The player describes the Guess Word to their own team without using any of the Taboo Words listed on the card. This encourages creativity and helps children find new ways to express emotions.
5. Score Points – If the team correctly guesses the word within a set time limit (e.g., 30 seconds), they earn 1 point. If they struggle, they can pass, and another round begins.
6. Keep Playing – The game continues for multiple rounds, with each team taking turns. The team with the most points at the end wins!

Download Emotions Taboo Game

Why This Game Works

The Emotions Taboo Game is more than just a fun activity—it’s a powerful learning tool! Here’s why kids love it (and why parents and teachers do, too!):

• Enhances Emotional Awareness – Kids learn to recognize and name different feelings with greater accuracy.
• Encourages Empathy – As children hear others describe emotions, they develop a deeper understanding of how different feelings are experienced.
• Builds Communication Skills – Players must think outside the box to express emotions without using the obvious words.
• Strengthens Family & Classroom Bonds – Playing together creates opportunities for meaningful discussions about emotions in a relaxed setting.

Ready to Give It a Try?

The best part about this game? It grows with your child! As they learn new words, they become more confident in expressing themselves. Whether you play during family game night, in the classroom, or at a playdate, you’ll be amazed at how quickly kids start using new emotional vocabulary in everyday life.

We’d love to hear how the Emotions Taboo Game works for your family! Share your experience in the comments or tag us on Instagram @ThinkleBuds. Let’s make emotional learning fun and engaging—one game at a time!