Cardboard Feelings Watch
Emotional Awareness and Expression
Like the feelings wheel in my book, this feelings watch can be another way to encourage kids to share their feelings. Not only is this craft fun and creative, but it also serves as a fantastic tool for emotional awareness and expression, especially for kids.
A reminder to check in with your feelings
This fun craft is a simple, interactive craft that consists of a watch face made out of cardboard, with the hands of the watch pointing to different feelings represented by playful faces. This project helps individuals, particularly children, to identify and articulate their emotions in a visual and engaging way. Like telling time throughout the day, the feelings watch can be a lesson to kids that they should check in with their feelings throughout the day.
Supplies You Will Need:
- Cardboard (you can use old boxes or leftover packaging)
- Scissors
- Markers or colored pencils
- A ruler
- A brad or a paper fastener
- Optional: Stickers, glitter, or other decorative items
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Create the Watch Base: Start by cutting a large circle out of the cardboard. This will be the face of your watch. Make it big enough to fit the feeling faces that we’ll create later.
- Add the Hour and Minute Marks: Use a ruler to draw a smaller circle inside your large circle for where the hands will point. Add small marks around the edge to represent where the feelings will be located.
- Design the Feeling Faces: On separate pieces of cardboard, draw different faces to represent various emotions like happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and surprise. Use bright colors and fun expressions to make them inviting. You can also label each face with the corresponding feeling.
- Cut Out the Feeling Faces: Once you’re happy with your designs, carefully cut them out.
- Attach the Faces to the Watch: Use glue or tape to attach your feeling faces at the appropriate positions around the watch face. This will allow you to point to different feelings anytime!
- Create the Watch Hands: Cut two strips of cardboard that will serve as the watch hands. You can make one longer for the minute hand and one shorter for the hour hand.
- Assemble the Watch: Use a brad or paper fastener to attach the watch hands at the center of the watch face. This allows them to spin and point to different feelings easily.
- Decorate Your Watch: Get creative! Add stickers, decorate with glitter, or paint your watch to give it a personal touch that reflects your style.
A tool for emotional literacy
This watch can serve as a wonderful tool for emotional literacy. It encourages conversations about feelings in a non-threatening way. Children can point to the emotion they are experiencing, making it easier for caregivers and educators to understand and support them. This creative outlet also fosters creativity, fine motor skills, and encourages imaginative play.
Feelings crafts are not just about creating something fun, but building a bridge to better emotional understanding. Whether you choose to incorporate this craft into educational settings or enjoy it at home, I hope it sparks meaningful discussions about emotions and helps everyone involved to express themselves more freely.
Discover the range of emotions with young readers in this interactive book featuring a feelings wheel, a fold-out mountain breathing activity, and a fun magic trick!
