95 Free Social Emotional Learning Activities
Welcome to our Social Emotional Learning Activities page!
Below you will find free resources – lessons, activities, and worksheet – in the following skill areas: Communication, Cooperation, Emotion Regulation, Empathy, Impulse Control, and Social Initiation.
These resources are age-appropriate for elementary and middle school students and are typically used in a classroom or a small group setting. And in most cases, if materials are required for the activity, they are items that you already have in your classroom or office.
As you will see below, many of the SEL activities and lesson plans include characters from our game-based, social emotional learning interventions. And if you are using the online programs, these activities will reinforce the learning that occurs during game play.
Note: Please share this page on your school website so other educators may also benefit.
Anger Iceberg
The idea of an "anger iceberg" is that our anger is like an iceberg — what we show on the ...
Coping Skills For Anxiety
Anxiety Versus Anxiety Disorders Anxiety is a normal experience for most people, and on occasion, it may be overwhelming. But ...
List of Emotions: 135 Words that Express Feelings
Categories of Emotions The list of emotions a typical pre-K child understands may be limited to happy, mad, sad, and ...
Impulse Control Activities for Kids
Impulse control, or self-control, is the ability to resist temptations, urges, or impulses in order to meet one’s goals. Students ...
All About Me Worksheet
An All About Me worksheet is a great way to kick off the school year as students explore self-awareness and ...
50 Positive Affirmations for Kids
What are positive affirmations for kids? During these challenging and uncertain times, it’s important to remain hopeful, and positive affirmations ...
Active Listening Exercises
Active listening, which includes eye contact, appropriate body position and language, and the acts of asking questions, summarizing, and not ...
Brain Breaks For Kids
"I need a break!" Whether or not students say it out loud, this feeling can be palpable in the classroom ...
SEL Books
For obvious reasons, we hope that you use our online social emotional learning interventions to help your students practice and ...
Word Association Game
This fun word association game will help you get ahead of conflict by helping students understand the connection between experience ...
Would You Rather Questions For Kids
Getting to know your students, and students getting to know each other, can be a real struggle, and this is ...
Morning Meeting Questions
Morning meetings are an excellent way to help students transition from home to school and help them get ready to ...
Social Emotional IEP Goals
What do Social Emotional IEP Goals Look Like? Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is valuable for all students, and while a ...
Self Care For Teachers
If you feel "burnout" setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, ...
Responsible Decision Making Lesson
How we choose to act in challenging situations heavily relies on what may be referred to as a moral code, ...
Body Language Mirroring
Students often get frustrated when a peer copies their speech or actions. But being inspired by others is naturally human, ...
Conflict Resolution for Kids
We’ve rounded up some of our top tips and lessons that will help you create a classroom that practices respectful ...
Pragmatic Language: What To Say
Pragmatic language, or the rules of who to say what to and when, can make the process of getting to ...
Self Awareness Worksheets
At some point, we’ve all looked in the rearview mirror and wondered whether we’ve said or done the right things, ...
Agree to Disagree: A Lesson About Perspective
It feels good to be right, but this need to be right can sometimes lead to conflict in the classroom ...
How to be a Good Friend
The Importance of Friendships There are many things we want in life but, perhaps, nothing is as important as having ...
Dealing with Change
Dealing with change is a normal part of the student experience. Whether it’s starting a new school, trying to make ...
How to Apologize
Five Steps to Say You're Sorry When we say, or do, something that hurts someone we care about, a sincere ...
Social Cues and Social Competence
What Social Cues Mean? Social cues are the verbal and nonverbal "clues" that help us interact, communicate, and establish relationships ...
Voice Inflection
What is Voice Inflection? Voice inflection, or intonation, is when we change the tone or pitch of our voice when ...
SEL Skill Printables
You can show an ongoing commitment to social emotional learning by recognizing students who demonstrate good or improving SEL skills ...
Think Sheet: Behavior Reflection Exercise
A great tool for having students reflect on inappropriate behavior is a Think Sheet. You can use it when a ...
Emotional Awareness: What Makes Me Happy
When we think about emotional awareness, we typically focus on situations that trigger negative emotions. But it's also important that ...
Pass It On Game
Ever felt like your lesson has gotten away from you? When exactly did the plan stray from a diagram of ...
Indoor Recess Activity: Pass The Hoop
If your students aren't getting along, it might just be time for an indoor recess activity to help everyone reset! ...
Wrinkled Heart Activity
This activity, based on the book, A Wrinkled Heart by Tracy Hoexter, will help students appreciate how important it is ...
Eye Expressions: How We Communicate With Our Eyes
Understanding and interpreting body language is even more challenging in a time when we aren't able to see mouths due ...
Emotion Faces Worksheet
Using the emotion faces lesson and printable worksheets below, you will help your students evaluate facial expressions and associate those ...
Student Strengths Lesson
In this lesson, students will create a student strengths flower that highlights their positive traits, and this flower will be ...
Anger Thermometer (Lesson and Printable)
Everyone feels angry from time to time, and it can be an overwhelming emotion. Like other emotions, anger comes in ...
A Gratitude Jar for Kids
In a previous lesson, we introduced the the power of gratitude where students identified one thing that made them happy ...
How to Create a Bitmoji Classroom for SEL
If you're providing remote instruction this year, you may have seem images where educators create a personalized virtual classroom that ...
Cooperative Learning Activity
A cooperative learning activity is a fantastic way to improve overall social emotional learning, but many students struggle with speaking up ...
SEL Classroom Scavenger Hunt
This SEL classroom scavenger hunt will help students focus on doing good deeds or random acts of kindness for others ...
Summer Worksheets for Social Emotional Learning
Summer is just around the corner and there’s so much to think about! As you tie up loose ends on ...
Affirmation Cards for Kids
Self affirmations are a great way to help build self esteem and overcome doubts. Instead of listening to the voice ...
Mindfulness Activities for Kids
There are a wide range of mindfulness activities for kids from yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or even blowing bubbles. In ...
Acts of Kindness Worksheets for Kids
We know that acts of kindness and small gestures can bring joy to others, and by helping others, we in ...
Social Emotional Learning Journal
Many students may already use a journal at school to develop their writing skills, but what if we helped them ...
Vision Board Ideas for Students in Elementary and Middle School
For students around the world, life may be a bit upside down as a result of COVID-19. The structure of ...
Emotional Check In Worksheet
As a result of COVID-19, school life is very different right now, for everyone. Students are having to make huge ...
Personal Space Worksheets for Students in Elementary School
Most adults understand the physical boundaries imposed within general space and the importance of respecting the norms of personal space; ...
Gratitude Worksheets for Students in Elementary School
What if we took a moment in our day to explain and teach gratitude to our kids? How would their ...
Song About Feelings for Kids
In this lesson, student’s will watch a short Feelings Song video about how their body may respond when they feel ...
The Worry Scale
There are a lot of heavy things happening that cause students to feel worried, fearful, and anxious. And while our ...
Goal Setting Worksheet
As educators, we encourage our students to dream big, but many times students don’t understand how to set goals and ...
Hurtful Words Lesson for Young Students
Words hurt. I’m sure you have said this to your students many times when dealing with bullying situations or talking ...
Feelings Wheel Worksheet to Help Students Explore Emotions
We all struggle to put our feelings into words, and it can be even more challenging for kids. When it ...
Stay Focused Worksheet for Students in Elementary School
It can be challenging for young learners to stay focused, especially when they are anticipating an exciting event. In this ...
Dealing with Disappointment Lesson and Printable
Disappointment can happen for a variety of reasons, and most of us experience some sort of misfortune quite often. As ...
Following Directions Worksheets
Learning to follow directions is an important skill for all students to master, and by the time students start Kindergarten, ...
Socially Appropriate Behavior Worksheet for Elementary School Students
Why Students Struggle With Impulse Control Kids may struggle with impulse control or self control for two different reasons: a ...
Holiday Printables for Social and Emotional Learning
When a holiday is coming up, it can be hard for everyone to remain focussed amid the excitement. We’re here ...
I Statements Worksheet
Communicating how we feel can be a challenge for kids and adults, especially when we're frustrated. It's easy to blame ...
How To Make Friends At School
No matter the time of year, some students may feel left out and uncertain how to become part of the ...
Expressing Feelings Without Blaming Activity
There can be a lot of tension when expressing feelings, especially if you or the other person lack certain communication ...
Impulse Control Printable: Melt or Freeze
Impulse Control, or self-control, is the ability to control your behaviors and feelings. This impulse control printable asks students to ...
Game Guides: Informational Posters for Zoo U, SS GRIN, and Hall of Heroes
These are informative posters for three of our most popular programs: Zoo U, SS GRIN, and Hall of Heroes. In ...
Critical Thinking Worksheet: Facts and Assumptions
We know that making assumptions can be an easy way to fill in missing information, and it’s so easy that ...
Peer Pressure Activities
As students grow and develop, they become more socially aware, and are more influenced by the beliefs and attitudes of ...
Coping Skills Worksheets
Coping skills are essential for navigating the ups and downs of life. Whether we face major life changes, unexpected challenges, ...
Social Skills Group Activities
On this page, you will find free social skills group activities that are appropriate for students in elementary and middle ...
Communication Skills Worksheets: Appropriate and Inappropriate Topics
Picture this: A young teenager plays video games with other kids all over the world: from London to California, and ...
I Have Who Has Game of Actions and Consequences
How we relate to other people in real life via our words and actions can have consequences. And helping students ...
Mood Ring Colors: Identifying Emotions
This mood ring colors activity will have your students identifying emotions like a superhero! Did you have one of those ...
Friendship Traits: Making and Keeping Friends Activity
Good friends can make you feel happy and loved, while bad friends may disappoint you and make you sad. But, ...
Think Before You Speak
To be honest, it can be hysterical to hear a child say something they shouldn’t. A child pointing out a ...
Positive and Negative Consequences
We often think of consequences in terms of bad things that could happen. If I go to bed early, I’ll ...
Emotional Regulation Activities
Sometimes things don’t go according to plan, and it’s understandable that students might get upset about it! Whether it’s a ...
Identifying Emotions Activity: Chameleon Moods
Identifying and managing feelings, or Emotion Regulation, requires the ability to respond to strong emotional situations in a socially acceptable ...
Belly Breathing for Kids
Managing your feelings requires the ability to respond to strong emotions in an appropriate way. For example, staying calm when ...
Find Someone Who
At the start of the school year, students are excited about making new friends and getting to know their classmates ...
Emotion Charades for Kids: Feelings and Empathy
This emotion charades for kids activity will help students identify different feelings and better understand how they, and others, may ...
Freeze Game Lesson for Students in Elementary School
Ever find yourself asking a student who’s made a questionable choice, “Why would you do something like that?” only to ...
Body Language Game: Telephone Game
Good communication is important for getting along well with others, but students often have difficulty understanding that their body language ...
Cool Down Corner to Create a Calm Classroom
Strong emotions can make it difficult to make good choice, so it is important that students learn how to manage ...
Nonverbal Communication Activities for Students in Grades K-8
Nonverbal communication activities are a great way to enhance critical social and emotional skills, including knowledge of voice inflection, facial expressions, ...
Perspective Taking Activities
Perspective taking activities can be confusing. Is the glass half empty or half full? Is the Mona Lisa smiling? Are ...
Emotion Words to Convey a Range of Feelings
It’s important that students learn to identify the degree of emotion they are feeling and use words that are more ...
Circle of Control Worksheet for Students
With this circle of control worksheet, you will assist students in managing their anxiety by providing a clear understanding of ...
Positive Self Talk for Kids
Positive thinking is a psychological framework for embracing optimism that has gained attention in recent years. Research suggests that a ...
Staying on Topic Activity for Elementary School Students
An important piece of healthy and respectful relationships is communication. In conversation, this includes intent and active listening, asking and ...
Transition to Middle School: Opening Lockers
Moving up to Middle School from Elementary School is an exciting time of transition that sometimes leaves students feeling a ...
Tattling vs Telling
While the distinction may appear nuanced, there are clear differences behind the meanings and purposes of tattling vs telling. Tattling ...
Conversation Starters for Kids
It can be so hard to initiate a conversation with someone we don’t know, and it might even be harder ...
Feelings Worksheets: Understanding Big Emotions vs. Small Emotions
Understanding how to regulate emotions isn't something we are born with, it is a skill we learn over time. One ...
Feelings Faces: A Free Match the Emojis Printable
Imagine a car without breaks, a running faucet without a tap, or a buzzing alarm clock with no off switch ...
Bullying Lessons Using Apples
Most students know that bullying is bad, and yet bullying still happens in our schools every day. When we say ...
Social Emotional Learning at Home
Developmental Milestones for Social and Emotional Skills
As parents, we know how to monitor our child’s physical developmental milestones. When did your child begin to sit up, ...
Do I have a Sad Child or Could it be Depression?
Q: My son used to be a fun, lighthearted and very active kid. But lately, he’s been negative about everything ...
What to do when your child feels left out
Q: My daughter was really upset when she came home from school today. At the beginning of the day, one ...
What are the Warning Signs of ADHD?
Q: My son’s teacher has raised some concerns about his behavior in class and suggests that we test him for ...
Following Directions: Advice from Experts
Q: My son is an intelligent kid. He does well in school, loves playing on his basketball team and has ...
Getting Ready for School: Avoid the Drama
Q: School mornings are a real struggle in my house. My kids have to do just six things each morning: ...
Impulsive Behavior in Children
Q: My daughter is so impulsive. She’s constantly getting into trouble for things like grabbing toys away from friends at ...
Lacking Self-Confidence: Expert Ideas and Tips to Help your Kids
Q: My son is a smart, capable boy, but he is lacking self-confidence in just about anything he does. A ...
Bullied at School: Expert Ideas to Help your Child
Q: I think my child is being bullied at school. In the last couple of weeks, she’s started complaining about ...
Separation Anxiety in Children: Ideas and Advice from Experts
Q: I expected my son to have separation anxiety when he was a toddler, but now, when I drop him ...
Meltdowns: How to Help your Child and Reduce Frustration
Q: I thought we were done with meltdowns when my daughter graduated from preschool. But, these days, as a first ...
Bored at School and Academically Gifted
Q: When I ask my gifted child how school is each day, he almost always responds by saying this: “Really, ...
Perfectionist Child: How to Help with Tips from Experts
Q: My child is a gifted student and an absolute perfectionist. She knows the material, but often can’t seem to ...
Making Friends at School
Q: All the other kids in my son’s class have a best friend or a group of close friends, but ...
Growth Mindset for Kids
Q: When my son fails to get something right after the first or second try, he gives up. In math, ...
Strategies for Helping Your Child with School Refusal
Q: My daughter has always loved going to school, but this year, something has changed. Many mornings, she complains about ...
Parent-Teacher Relationships to Help Your Child Thrive at School
Q: My daughter’s teacher seems like a lovely woman and, so far, we’ve had a good parent-teacher relationship. But now ...
How to Help Your Child Overcome Negative Thinking
Q: Whether it’s a test at school or a new step at dance class, my daughter doesn’t think she can ...
My Child Has Difficulty Making Decisions: How Can I Help?
Q: My daughter can’t make a decision to save her life. When she was picking out a new shirt at ...
Angry Kid: How Can I Help My Son be Less Frustrated?
Q: My son can be such an angry kid. When just about anything doesn’t go his way, he gets so ...
Coping Skills for Gifted Students
Q: Our gifted child easily breaks down at even the smallest problems. And when he’s stressed out because of worries ...
Additional Resources for Social Emotional Learning
Classroom Management Plan
Our classroom management plan is a step-by-step guide and includes proven strategies, tips and printables for elementary school teachers, and it covers four key components for establishing a successful, well-managed classroom.
Classroom Decorations
These free downloadable posters will decorate your classroom and be great teaching resources, reinforcing social and emotional skills in your classroom and reminding students to practice their skills like emotion regulation, impulse control, empathy, and more.
Social Emotional Learning Quotes
For each of the topics below, we have curated a list of quotes. You can incorporate these quotes in your social emotional learning lessons, add them to social media images, create classroom posters, or write one on your whiteboard each day.
