Recipe for Fun!
This activity is simple and fun way to explore a variety of emotions, actions, and animals. Silly behavior and laughing with others help children bond with others, strengthen social skills, and experience the mood-enhancing and stress-reducing benefits of laughter.
STEP 1: If you are using blocks, write a different emotion on each side of the block. If you are using index cards, write one emotion on each card. Suggestions to include a variety of emotions include mad, happy, scared, sad, silly, and angry.
STEP 2: On the other block, write a type of animal on each side. If you are using index cards, write one animal on each card. Suggestions include cat, dog, mouse, lion, bird, and monkey.
STEP 3: Each child takes a turn rolling both dice or picking two random cards.
STEP 4: Kids must act out the two words that they choose. For example, if “sad” and “monkey” are chosen, the child would act out how they think a sad monkey would act. (Depending upon the age of the child, a parent or an older child may have to read the selected animal and emotion.)
STEP 5: Incorporate questions to get your child thinking about emotions. What are some good ways to handle sadness? What could make the monkey act happy?
Benefits of Play: Communication, Cognitive, Creative, Emotional, Physical