This activity helps youth recognize and understand their own emotions while also encouraging empathy and active listening as they hear about each other’s experiences. It promotes emotional intelligence and provides a safe space for discussing feelings and personal experiences.

• Duration: 10 – 15 minutes
• Materials: Beach ball / Soccer ball; permanent marker

Steps:

1. Write various emotions all over the beach or soccer ball using the permanent marker. Include emotions like happy, sad, excited, angry, surprised, calm, worried, etc.
2. Round 1: Have the youth sit in a circle and toss the ball around to each other. When they catch the ball, ask them to share one word describing their current feelings.
3. Round 2: Have the youth take turns tossing the ball around to each other again. This time, ask them to respond to the emotion word that their left thumb lands on by sharing a personal experience of when they felt that particular emotion. For example, if the participant’s left thumb lands on “calm,” they might say, “I felt calm when I went for a peaceful walk in the woods last weekend.”

This activity helps youth recognize and label emotions and express them in various ways. It also encourages empathy as players observe each other’s expressions and tones.

• Duration: 30 – 45 minutes
• Materials: Jenga blocks; permanent marker

Steps: 

1. Separate a box of Jenga blocks into two piles: Pleasant emotions and Unpleasant emotions. You can use emotion words like happy, excited, sad, angry, surprised, calm, anxious, etc.
2. Ask the youth to label each Jenga block with a different emotion word. Each block should have a different emotion written on it.
3. Have the youths build the Jenga tower by stacking the labeled blocks in an alternating fashion (three side-by-side blocks, crisscrossed with the next layer).
4. Play the game as you would with a traditional Jenga set. Each player takes turns removing one block from the tower and placing it on top to create a new layer.
5. The Catch: Before placing their block on the top of the tower, players have to express that emotion using one of the following creative methods:
6. Body Language: Act out the emotion without using words.
7. Humming/Singing a Song: Hum or sing a song that reflects the emotion they pulled.
8. Saying the Word in the Tone of the Mood: Say the emotion word in a way that conveys the feeling. For example, if the emotion is “excited,” they might say it with enthusiasm and excitement.
9. Encourage creativity and variety in how youth express emotions. They can choose the method that feels most comfortable for them.
10. If a player successfully expresses the emotion in the chosen manner, they can place the block on top of the tower. If they struggle or fail to convey the emotion effectively, the block is returned to the tower, and the next player takes their turn.

Using the Breathing Board Activity:  Creating a breathing board activity is a creative and interactive way to teach mindfulness and relaxation techniques. It is beneficial for stress management and emotion regulation.

1. Introduce the Board: Gather your youth and introduce the breathing board. Explain that it’s a tool for practicing relaxation techniques and mindfulness.
2. Demonstrate: Demonstrate how to use the board by choosing one of the breathing exercises and going through it step by step. Use props or visual aids if you’ve included them.
3. Engage youth: Invite youth to take turns selecting a breathing exercise from the board. They can use the visual cues and instructions to guide their practice. Encourage them to express how they feel before and after the exercise.
4. Reflect: After each participant has a turn, hold a brief discussion to reflect on their experiences. Ask them how they felt during the exercise and if they noticed any changes in their emotions or stress levels.
5. Encourage Regular Practice: Encourage youth to use the breathing board regularly, especially when they need to manage stress or anxiety.

Mindfulness; Regulation

• Duration: 20-30 minutes
• Materials: Card board; hole-puncher; colorful yarn; pipe cleaners; thin juice straw, stickers

Steps:

1. Choose Your Theme: Decide on a theme for your breathing board. For example, you can make it ocean-themed, space-themed, nature-themed, or even just colorful and abstract. This theme will help make the activity visually engaging.
2. Design the Layout: Use colored markers to design the layout of your breathing board on the poster or foam board. You can draw different sections or zones for various breathing exercises. For instance, you might have deep breathing, square breathing, or guided imagery sections.
3. Label the Sections: In each section, label the type of breathing exercise it represents. For instance, you can have a section labeled “Deep Breathing,” another one for “Square Breathing,” and so on. Write clear and concise instructions for each exercise.
4. Add Visual Elements: Make your breathing board visually appealing by adding decorations, stickers, or drawings that align with your chosen theme. Use different colors to make it engaging and easy to follow.
5. Include Props (Optional): You can include small props or objects related to each breathing exercise to enhance the activity. For example, you can attach a feather or a small fan to symbolize the calming breeze for deep breathing. You can include a small square piece of fabric or paper for square breathing.
6. Create a Centerpiece: In the center of the board, consider creating a visual centerpiece that represents calmness, such as a serene scene or a calming word or phrase.

This mindful breathing exercise is a simple yet effective way to regulate emotions and transition from a high-energy state to a more calming one. It can be especially helpful for individuals of all ages to manage stress, anxiety, or overwhelming emotions in a mindful and deliberate manner.

• Duration: 5-10 minutes

Steps:

1. Explain the purpose of the exercise. Let youth know that this exercise is designed to help them transition from a high-energy state to a calm and relaxed one.
2. Bunny Breaths: Have the youth pretend they are bunnies. Instruct them to take three quick sniffs in through their nose (sniff, sniff, sniff) and then exhale slowly and steadily out of their nose. Emphasize the long exhale. Repeat this cycle of “3 quick sniffs and one long exhale” three to five times. Encourage them to focus on their breath and how it feels.
3. Flowers & Candles: Ask the youth to close their eyes and use their imagination. Guide them through the following visualization:
   1. “Imagine you are holding a beautiful flower. Take a deep breath in through your nose as if you are really smelling the flower. Hold that breath for a count of three.”
   2. “Now, imagine you have a candle in front of you. As you exhale, pretend to blow out the candle very gently.”
4. Repeat this process for three rounds, encouraging them to savor the experience of “smelling the flower” and “blowing out the candle” with each breath.
5. Countdown Breathing: Instruct the youth to count backward from 10 out loud while performing specific breath cycles for each number:
   1. “10 – Breathe in (inhale) slowly and deeply through your nose. Hold your breath for a moment. Now, exhale slowly and steadily.”
   2. “9 – Repeat the same process. Breathe in, hold, and then exhale.”
6. Continue this countdown, having them focus on their breath and the counting process.

Reflection: After completing the countdown, ask the youth to open their eyes and sit quietly for a moment. Encourage them to notice how their bodies and minds feel after the breathing exercises. Ask if anyone would like to share their experience or how they feel compared to the beginning of the exercise.

This serves as a valuable tool for youth to practice emotion awareness and regulation through artistic expression. It allows youth to reflect on their feelings and provides an opportunity for creative self-expression. Additionally, it can be a positive daily routine for promoting mental well-being and self-care.

Below are some simple daily doodle examples:  1. Ocean 2. Bread 3. Zoo 4. Summer 5. Running 6. Queen 7. Best Friends 8. Nighttime 9. Distance 10. Street light 11. Blue 12. Begins with “W”13. Face 14. Drums 15. Car Ride 16. Shoes 17. Snack 18. Heart 19. Disguise 20. Superhero 21. Fireworks 22. Fast 23. Jump 24. Storm 25. Begins with “R”

Modification: Give youth the option to write poetry, lyrics, or in journal style in case they do not feel like drawing.

• Duration: 10-15 minutes
• Materials: Paper; markers/crayons/coloring pencils; (optional: notebooks)

Steps:

1. Introduce the Activity: Explain to the youth that they will be participating in a “Daily Doodle” activity. This activity allows them to express their current mood through art. It can help them become more aware of their emotions and provide a creative outlet for self-expression.
2. Choose a time frame: Decide on a specific time of day when the youth will do their daily doodle. It could be in the morning, before bedtime, or during a designated break.
3. Label Their Current Mood: At the top corner of the page, ask the youth to write down their current mood using 1-3 words. For example, they might write “Happy,” “Excited,” “Calm,” “Anxious,” or any other emotion they are experiencing at that moment.
4. Art Prompt: Provide a 1-3 word art prompt for the day. The art prompt can be related to a specific word or theme, as you’ve listed in your description. For example, if the prompt is “Ocean,” the youth can draw anything that comes to mind when they think of the ocean.
5. Drawing Time: Allow the youth to start doodling based on the provided art prompt. Encourage them to be creative and express themselves freely. There are no right or wrong ways to interpret the prompt.
6. Share (Optional): If the group feels comfortable, you can create a sharing opportunity where youth can briefly explain their drawings or share how their mood influenced their artwork. However, this step should be optional to respect the privacy and comfort of the youth.
7. Repeat Daily: Encourage the youth to make this a daily practice, even if it’s just for 10-15 minutes each day. Over time, they can create a collection of mood-based doodles.

This activity helps youth explore the emotional impact of music, understand how it can influence their mood, and encourages them to be mindful of their emotional responses to different songs. It’s an enjoyable and interactive way to promote emotional awareness and regulation through music.

• Duration: 20-30 minutes
• Materials: Access to music/collaborative playlist (Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, etc.)/device to play music

Steps:

1. Begin by explaining to the youth that music has a powerful impact on our emotions and can influence our feelings. Share the purpose of the activity: to explore how different songs can affect their moods and emotions.
2. Create a Playlist: You can prepare a playlist in advance or create a collaborative playlist with the youth if you have access to such a feature on your chosen music platform. Include a variety of songs with different moods and emotional tones. For example, you can have happy, sad, relaxing, energetic songs, or even songs associated with specific emotions like anger or love.
3. Listening Session: Start playing the songs one by one. After each song, ask the youth to reflect on how the music made them feel. You can use questions like:
   1. “How did that song make you feel?”
   2. “Did it make you smile?”
   3. “Did it make you feel relaxed or energized?”
   4. “Is your heart beating fast because you wanted to dance?”
4. Encourage them to pay attention to their physical and emotional reactions to the music.
5. Favorite Song Discussion: After a few songs, ask the youth if a song stood out to them as their favorite during the listening session. Invite them to share why they liked it and how it made them feel. Emotion-Driven Song Selection: Discuss with the group which songs they want to listen to when in different emotional states. For example:
   1. “What songs would you want to listen to when you’re happy?”
   2. “Are there songs that help you release anger when you’re upset?”
   3. “What’s your go-to song when you want to relax?”
6. Emotion Shift: Ask if any of the songs played during the session shifted their emotions. Did a sad song make them feel better or worse? Did an energetic song boost their mood?
7. Conclude the activity by emphasizing that music can be a powerful tool for regulating emotions. Encourage youth to create their playlists for different emotional states, whether they want to uplift their spirits, relax, or process their feelings.

This game is playful way to enhance emotional intelligence, and promote empathy.

• Duration: 30 min
• Materials: Slips of paper with various emotions written on them (e.g., happy, angry, surprised, sad). A timer or stopwatch (optional).

Steps:

1. Preparation: Write down different emotions on separate slips of paper. You can include a wide range of emotions, from basic ones like happy and sad to more complex ones like frustrated or relieved. Fold each slip of paper and place them in a container.
2. Setting Up: Gather the youth and form a circle or designate an area where the game will be played. Make sure everyone can see each other.
3. Rules Explanation: Explain the rules of the game to the youth. Let them know that one person at a time will act out an emotion without using words, and the others will try to guess which emotion it is. Emphasize that gestures, facial expressions, and body language are the only means of conveying the emotion.
4. Choosing the Actor: To decide who goes first, you can use various methods like drawing straws or having the youngest participant start. Alternatively, you can simply choose a volunteer to be the first actor.
5. Acting Out the Emotion: The chosen actor draws a slip of paper from the container (without showing it to anyone else) and reads the emotion silently. They then proceed to act out the emotion using only non-verbal cues. They can use gestures, facial expressions, and body language to convey the emotion.
6. Guessing: The other youth observe the actor closely and try to guess which emotion is being portrayed. Encourage them to use empathy and consider the cues they are seeing to make their guesses.
7. Time Limit (Optional): If you want to add an extra challenge, you can set a timer for each round (e.g., 1-2 minutes). If the guessers can’t identify the emotion within the time limit, the actor reveals the emotion, and it becomes the next person’s turn to act.
8. Repeat: Continue playing with different youth taking turns as the actor. You can also set a rule that each participant must act out a specific number of emotions before someone else takes a turn.
9. Discussion: After each round or when the game concludes, take a moment to discuss the experience. Ask youth how they felt trying to convey and guess emotions through non-verbal cues. Discuss the importance of recognizing and understanding emotions in everyday life. And what made parts of the game hard? (HINT: you don’t always know based on someone’s non-verbal language.)