15 Printable Feelings Posters for Kids

Helping kids understand and manage their emotions starts with the right tools. This is where a good feelings poster can make all the difference.

Researchers found that for younger children, the number of emotion words they know helps with emotional regulation. As children grow older, the depth of their emotional vocabulary contributes to their understanding of emotions [*].

Children who can regulate their emotions also tend to have an improved social life. A research study found that children who managed their emotions well had more positive relationships with peers [*].

Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, a counselor, or a homeschooler, feelings posters are a powerful tool for teaching emotional awareness and regulation.

15 Printable Feelings Posters for Kids

This curated list of 15 kid-friendly posters includes emotion charts, calming strategies, and creative visuals to support learning at home, in classrooms, or during counseling sessions.

1. Feelings List for Kids

A straightforward list of feelings can help take the guesswork out of how a child is feeling. It encourages kids to label their emotions accurately rather than acting them out through behavior. This feelings list for kids features a comprehensive list of emotions so kids can expand their emotional vocabulary.

How to use it: Post it in your classroom, child’s bedroom, or therapy space. A child can use it during journaling time or when discussing events that trigger certain emotions.

2. Feelings Wheel for Kids

This feelings wheel organizes emotions by type. It helps children go beyond basic labels like “happy” or “sad”. For instance, under the emotion “sad”, there are feelings such as “lonely”, “rejected”, and “hopeless”. 

How to use it: Ask kids to find the outer rings to describe their emotions more accurately. Use it during conversations or journaling.

3. Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS)

SUDS is a self-assessment tool used in therapy to rate the intensity of emotions. This SUDS scale for kids lets children rate how strong their emotions feel. This builds their self-awareness and helps adults respond better.

How to use it:  Ask kids to rate their distress before and after a calming activity, like deep breathing. This helps them see how calming strategies work. 

4. Happiness Brain Chemicals

This poster shows the brain chemicals that promote happiness, the effects of deficiencies, and how to boost happiness levels. Kids learn how daily actions influence how they feel.

How to use it: Use the poster during science or health lessons. Talk about how certain actions, such as exercise, play, acts of kindness, and deep belly breathing, can improve happiness levels. 

5. Feelings and Emotions Alphabet

The Feelings and Emotions Alphabet links each letter to a different feeling. Kids can explore emotions while practicing letter recognition and vocabulary.

How to use it: Play a game by having kids act out a feeling from the alphabet without saying the word while others guess the emotion. This helps them recognize body language and facial cues.

6. Feeling Words

This colorful Feeling Words chart expands beyond basic emotions and includes more words that help kids express themselves clearly.

How to use it: Use the chart when discussing books or personal experiences. Ask kids to choose a word that matches a character’s mood.

7. Happiness Mindsets

This poster introduces kids to ideas that support positive thinking, such as optimism, gratitude mindset, and growth mindset. It can guide children toward more helpful ways of viewing challenges.

How to use it: Choose one mindset at the start of each week. Ask kids to look for moments when they can practice that mindset.

8. How are You Feeling Chart

This poster uses faces and simple words to connect expressions with emotions. It helps young children begin to make connections between their internal state and outward behavior.

How to use it: Let children point to a face during check-ins. This gives them a way to express how they feel even if they don’t have the words yet.

9. Feelings Thermometer with Emojis

This thermometer shows how emotions can rise or drop. It teaches kids that feelings come in a spectrum, each represented by an emoji and descriptive word. The poster also talks about how this affects their behavior and what they can do about it.

How to use it: Encourage kids to point to the emoji that best represents their current feeling during regular check-ins. Discuss associated behaviors and choose a coping strategy from the suggestions to address intense emotions. 

10. What Color Are You Feelings Chart

This color-coded chart links emotions with different colors. It can help kids connect color with mood and track patterns throughout the day.

How to use it: Ask, “What color are you today?” and follow up with a few questions. Talk about what might move them to a different color.

11. How Are You Feeling Today Poster

This poster features 28 colorful characters that show different emotions. It can be used to encourage regular emotional check-ins. It gives children a sense of routine and predictability when talking about feelings.

How to use it: Use it during morning meetings or at bedtime. Ask the kids to choose a feeling and explain why they picked it.

12. Emoji Feelings Chart

This Emoji Feelings Chart is an extra large version of the How Are You Feeling Today poster. It shows 68 emojis with different emotions, which makes it a good choice for growing kids who are building a broader emotional vocabulary.

How to use it: Place the chart near a mirror. Ask kids to match their facial expressions to one of the emojis and say how they feel.

13. All Feelings Are Okay Emoji Poster

This poster reminds kids that every emotion matters. It can help reduce shame or guilt about experiencing strong or “big” emotions.

How to use it: Point to this chart during emotional moments. Reinforce the idea that all feelings deserve attention and care.

14. The Anger Volcano

The anger volcano shows that underneath angry behaviors are hidden emotions we don’t always recognize right away. For instance, tantrums can stem from feelings such as tiredness or frustration.

How to use it: Use the poster to talk through the different “layers” of anger. Ask children what might be bubbling beneath the surface when they feel like they're about to “explode.” Help them identify early warning signs and choose calming strategies before emotions erupt.

15. Ways to Stay Calm

This poster lists simple actions that help children settle down. It gives them options they can turn to without needing much adult direction. Examples include going for a walk outside or counting from 1 to 100.

How to use it: Keep it in a calm-down space. Let kids pick one strategy when they need a break or feel overwhelmed.

The Bottom Line

Helping kids understand and express their emotions is one of the most important steps in supporting their mental health.

Feelings posters give children a visual, accessible way to build emotional awareness. When used consistently, these tools can lead to improved emotional regulation—both at home and in school. They can also be helpful tools in therapy or counseling settings as visual aids during discussion.

Check out our full collection of printable feelings worksheets for kids of all ages. If you're decorating a classroom, counseling space, or therapy office, explore our curated range of therapy office decor posters that bring comfort, color, and emotional tools into every room.

References:

1. Berit Streubel, Catherine Gunzenhauser, Gerlind Grosse, Henrik Saalbach, Emotion-specific vocabulary and its contribution to emotion understanding in 4- to 9-year-old children, Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, Volume 193, 2020, 104790, ISSN 0022-0965, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2019.104790.
2. Qashmer Amani, Emotion regulation among 4–6 year-old children and its association with their peer relationships in Jordan, Frontiers in Psychology, Volume 14, 2023, ISSN=1664-1078, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1180223