Kimochis

One of the most important life skills we can teach kids is how to name and manage their feelings. The Kimochis® Mixed Bag of Feelings is a playful, hands-on way to build emotional vocabulary and give children the tools to navigate everyday challenges. Whether I’m in a school, counseling office, or family workshop, these plush emotions always bring smiles – and spark honest, thoughtful conversations.

I love how this tool turns abstract feelings into something tangible, relatable, and safe. Each soft “feeling” gives kids permission to express themselves in ways that don’t feel overwhelming. It opens the door to deeper connection, better behavior, and stronger social skills – and it works beautifully in both group and one-on-one settings.

To begin, introduce the Kimochis feeling pillows to your group or child. Pull them out one by one and say the name of the feeling aloud. Invite participants to describe what that emotion looks or feels like for them. You can ask open-ended questions like, “When have you felt this way?” or “What helps you when this feeling shows up?” Let the children explore the pillows, pass them around, or sort them into categories like “feel good” vs. “feel hard.”

Next, try an activity where each child selects a feeling pillow that matches how they’re feeling in the moment. They can share as much or as little as they want – sometimes just holding the pillow is enough. In groups, this becomes a great opening or closing check-in. In one-on-one sessions, it can guide deeper conversation. The included Feel Guide gives you dozens of structured ideas, from storytelling games to role-playing scenarios.

Finally, introduce the blank pillows. These allow children to name unique feelings not already in the set – like “nervous before a test” or “excited for a sleepover.” Use washable markers to personalize them, then add those new feelings to your collection. This small but powerful step gives kids ownership over their emotional experience and reinforces that all feelings are welcome and valid. Pick up your own set of Kimochis. https://www.trainingwheelsgear.com/collections/therapeutic-tools/products/kimochis-bag-of-feelings