Home Food & Receipts “5 Fun and Easy At-Home Games to Nurture Your Child’s Emotional Intelligence”

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“5 Fun and Easy At-Home Games to Nurture Your Child’s Emotional Intelligence”

13 June, 2025

Emotional Intelligence: Building Blocks for Children’s Happiness and Success

In recent years, emotional intelligence (EI or EQ) has gained prominence among educators, psychologists, and parents alike. EQ empowers children not only to understand and manage their own emotions but also to develop empathy, build healthy relationships, and adapt well in society.

According to UNICEF, fostering EQ should begin in early childhood—a critical period for the development of cognition, emotions, and personality. The good news is that this can be done naturally and gently through simple games played at home with loved ones.

Emotion Box: Teaching Children to Name Their Emotions

All you need is a small box and some pieces of paper with common emotions written on them, such as happiness, sadness, anger, anxiety, fear, gratitude, and surprise. Each day, gather as a family and draw a piece of paper from the box. Then, share a memory associated with that particular emotion.

This game helps children learn to name their emotions, recount personal experiences, and observe the emotions of others. According to psychologist Tran Minh Anh, when children are trained early on to recognize and express their emotions, they will more easily be able to control their behavior and reactions in various situations as they grow older.

Parents and children playing the “Emotion Box” game, a fun way to help children identify and name their emotions.

Facial Expressions: Stimulating Observation and Empathy

Play the “Facial Expression” game, where you make a facial expression, such as a pouty face, and your child guesses the corresponding emotion, such as sadness. Then, switch roles and have your child express an emotion for you to guess.

This game enhances children’s ability to observe body language, eye contact, and facial expressions—all crucial elements in communication and understanding others.

Children develop their observation and empathy skills through the “Facial Expressions” game.

Emotional Stories: Encouraging Self-Reflection and Empathy

Choose a simple story from a picture book, a fairy tale, or even a scenario from a cartoon. After reading, ask your child, “How would you feel if you were this character?” or “Have you ever felt this way before?”

Through this game, children learn to think from different emotional perspectives and develop the ability to understand and share emotions with others—a key skill in emotional intelligence.

Emotion Journal: Reflecting on the Day’s Emotions

Before bedtime, reflect on the day with your child by asking two simple questions: “What made you happiest today?” and “Was there anything that made you feel a little sad or worried?” If your child is too young to verbalize their emotions, you can use emotion face icons for them to choose from.

Daily emotional check-ins help children identify their emotions, cherish positive experiences, and learn to face less pleasant feelings. This is a gentle way for children to explore their inner world.

“What If…” Game: Challenging Emotional Thinking

Present hypothetical scenarios such as, “What would you do if you saw a friend fall down?” or “What would you say if you accidentally upset a friend?” There are no right or wrong answers in this game; simply encourage your child to think and express their honest emotions.

Children will learn to navigate complex emotional situations, enhance their problem-solving skills, and cultivate compassion for others—vital life skills at any age.

Emotional Intelligence Is Not a Lesson, But a Journey

The most important thing is not how many games your child plays, but how you, as a parent, engage and guide them through each moment. Be patient, listen attentively, gently lead, and always create a safe space for your child to express themselves.

In a constantly changing world, emotional intelligence is the sturdy luggage that equips children to embark on life’s journey with a warm heart and a resilient spirit.