How to play Feelings Match
- Turn over a face or feeling word.
- Find the card that communicates the same emotion.
- Describe one situation that might cause that feeling.
Learning goal
Identify common emotions from facial cues and connect them with feeling vocabulary.
Classroom setup
Plan about 8–12 min for this activity. It works best with pairs or whole class, with the game displayed where every learner can see the prompts. Before the first turn, review the controls and tell students how they should respond while another player is at the board. Listen for evidence of feelings and social awareness as students explain their choices.
Teacher tips
- Accept that facial expressions can have more than one interpretation.
- Model “I might feel…” language rather than labeling classmates.
- Discuss a helpful response after each match.
Bring Feelings Match into your lesson
Play a feelings matching game with pairs or the whole class. Match a face clue to a feeling word, then talk about a situation in which a fictional character might feel that way. The activity builds feeling vocabulary without labelling classmates.
Examples from the game
A preview of the ready-made content. Choose a level or customize the setup above before you start.
Level 1: Foundation
Match clear expressions with basic feeling words.
- Matching pair: 😊 → Happy
- Matching pair: 😢 → Sad
- Matching pair: 😡 → Angry
Level 2: Related feelings
Match nuanced feeling words with expressive clues.
- Matching pair: 😬 → Nervous
- Matching pair: 🥳 → Excited
- Matching pair: 😔 → Disappointed
Level 3: Feelings in context
Infer a possible feeling from a safe fictional situation.
- Matching pair: First day at a new school → Nervous
- Matching pair: A friend shares with you → Grateful
- Matching pair: Your tower falls down → Frustrated
A short classroom plan
- Preview a few feeling words together. Model how a face can be a clue without proving exactly what someone feels.
- Let pairs predict a match before a learner turns a card. After a pair is found, ask what clue helped and whether another interpretation is possible.
- Move from Foundation to Related feelings or Feelings in context when the vocabulary is familiar. End by choosing a kind question to ask a fictional character.
Keep participation comfortable. Facial expressions and situations can have more than one interpretation. The game uses fixed pairs for matching, not a test of a real person’s feelings. Learners can pass or discuss only the fictional example.
Frequently asked questions
Which feeling words are included?
Foundation includes Happy, Sad, Angry, Scared, Tired, Surprised, Calm and Confused. Related feelings adds vocabulary such as Nervous and Disappointed; Feelings in context pairs fictional situations with possible feelings.
Does one expression always mean the same emotion?
No. The cards have fixed pairs so the matching game works, but real people may express feelings differently. Invite “might feel” explanations rather than treating a face as proof.
Can I use the emotion matching game with non-readers?
Read feeling words aloud, preview the face clues, and let learners answer by pointing or talking with a partner. Do not require children to share personal experiences.
Is this classroom game free?
Yes. The complete game is free to play without creating a teacher or student account.
Does it work on a smartboard?
Yes. The game uses large controls designed for projectors, interactive whiteboards, tablets, and laptops.
Who is this game designed for?
This version is designed primarily for grades K–3. Teachers can adjust turn-taking and verbal support for their group.