Emotions Cards

Helping people name what they feel is one of the most powerful steps toward healing and growth. That’s why I love Emotions by High 5®. This set of cards turns emotional learning into something real, engaging, and approachable. Whether I’m working with kids, teens, or adults, these cards open the door to conversations that might not happen otherwise – and they do it in a way that’s both playful and meaningful.

With 57 beautifully designed flashcards and a supportive mood meter system, this tool helps people build emotional vocabulary, identify their feelings, and reflect on how emotions show up in their daily lives. I especially appreciate how adaptable it is – you can use it for one-on-one check-ins, group activities, or full lesson plans. It’s a must-have for any counselor, educator, or facilitator working to build connection and emotional intelligence in their groups.

To get started, lay out the Emotions cards face-up on a table or floor. Ask participants to choose a card that reflects how they’re feeling right now—or one that stands out to them for any reason. Once selected, invite them to read the emotion on the card and reflect on the question printed alongside it. These prompts gently guide participants to explore the why behind the feeling, and often lead to deeper insights.

For group settings, use the cards as part of a sharing circle or check-in. Go around the group and have each person share the emotion they chose and a brief explanation using the card’s reflection question as a guide. The Mood Meter cards can be added to the process to help individuals identify not just what they’re feeling, but the intensity and direction of that emotion (pleasant/unpleasant, high/low energy). This helps expand emotional language and builds group empathy.

My favorite group activity using these cards is to ask the group to stand in a circle and each participant holds a card without showing their word. One person selects two people at random to reveal their Emotion word, and then has to describe a time when they felt both of those feelings at the same time. For example, if I were to experience ‘Afraid’ (a high-energy / unpleasant word) and ‘Ecstatic’ (a high-energy / pleasant word) simultaneously, I would need to describe a scenario where I felt both emotions at the same time. It opens up the opportunity to discuss how complex emotions can be in an interactive way.

In one-on-one sessions or family work, these cards can serve as powerful conversation starters. Let the client or child pick several cards that describe their emotional landscape over the past day or week. Use the questions to explore patterns, triggers, or coping strategies. You can also use the cards for journaling prompts or goal setting—choosing one emotion to focus on managing or building over time. However you use them, the Emotions cards offer a creative, low-pressure way to help people name, understand, and navigate their inner world.

Pick up a set: https://www.trainingwheelsgear.com/collections/therapeutic-tools/products/emotions-cards

~Michelle Cummings