Feelings and Emotions Worksheet (Free KS1 Colouring and Matching)

What children learn from this feelings worksheet

The statutory RSHE guidance for primary schools says children should learn how to recognise feelings and use varied vocabulary to talk about their own and others’ feelings. Here children look closely at four cartoon faces and connect each expression to a clue, such as a smiling mouth meaning happy or raised eyebrows and an open mouth meaning surprised. Reading faces is a skill that grows with practice: noticing what the eyebrows are doing, not just the mouth, helps children read the people around them. The last question asks how they feel today, which gives you an easy way into a conversation.

How to use this worksheet at home or in class

Print the sheet and have colouring pencils ready. Start by talking through the four faces together before any writing or colouring begins, naming each feeling out loud. Encourage children to copy the expressions with their own face, which makes the link between the word and the feeling more memorable. As they complete the matching task, resist correcting too quickly; instead ask gentle questions like 'What is the mouth doing on this face?' In a classroom, the sheet works well in pairs, with children describing a face for their partner to point to. Keep the tone warm and curious. For the last question any honest answer is the right one, including “cross” or “tired”, so accept it without trying to cheer it away.

Building a feelings vocabulary beyond the basics

The RSHE guidance asks that children develop a varied vocabulary for talking about feelings, so once the four core words are secure you can extend the conversation. Happy might also be cheerful, excited or proud; sad might be disappointed, lonely or upset; angry might be cross, frustrated or annoyed; and surprised might be shocked, amazed or startled. Introducing one or two extra words at a time, linked to real situations the child has experienced, helps the vocabulary stick. You might keep a simple feelings chart on the fridge or wall and add a new word each week.

Why naming feelings matters for young children

Being able to name a feeling is the first step towards managing it. When a child can say 'I feel angry' rather than acting the feeling out, they have a moment to pause and choose what to do next. A helpful message for children is that all feelings are OK, but some ways of showing them are not: it is fine to feel angry, and it is not fine to hit. Let children know they can always tell a grown-up they trust how they feel. Pairing the sheet with everyday check-ins, such as asking how your child feels at the end of the school day, turns a one-off activity into a habit. If a child often seems very sad, worried or angry, talk to their teacher or GP.

Frequently asked questions