My Emotion Rainbow - A Creative Communication Tool for Identifying and Naming Emotions

Recognising and naming feelings is a key part of emotional development. My Emotion Rainbow is a printable tool that empowers children to identify how they’re feeling and is a perfect springboard for mindful discussion or quiet reflection.

About This Resource

This simple yet powerful activity uses a rainbow template with seven stripes, each representing a core emotion. Children can shade or colour the stripes that match their current feelings. With no right or wrong way to complete it, this resource is suitable for a wide range of emotional expression styles.

Features:

• Printable rainbow template with labelled emotion stripes.
• Designed for KS1–KS2, with possible use in KS3.
• Clean, uncluttered layout for easy use.
• Optional space for drawing or extra notes.

Benefits:

• Helps children recognise and express complex emotions in a manageable way.
• Supports emotional literacy, regulation, and mindfulness.
• Offers a non-verbal check-in option for children who find it difficult to speak about feelings.
• Can reveal emotional patterns or changes over time when used regularly.
• Encourages open dialogue between students and adults in a calm, safe manner.

How to Use

Provide each child with the emotion rainbow sheet and a quiet moment to reflect. Ask them to colour in any stripes that match how they feel today, they can choose just one or several. Use the rainbow as a conversation starter to explore why they chose those emotions and colours. This tool works well during morning check-ins, in calm corners, during emotional regulation or in pastoral support sessions.

My Emotion Rainbow is a gentle, engaging resource that makes it easier for children to identify and communicate their emotions.