Festive Musical Activities to Explore Emotions

Supporting children through emotional learning and development is an important and ongoing task. It sets the stage in helping them form positive relationships, manage difficult feelings, and navigate challenges through problem solving. We can weave these lessons into everyday routines, and also use play-based strategies to nurture emotional well-being — enter musical activities and songs!  As the holiday season is upon us, here are two musical activities that bring some festive fun into learning about emotions.

Activity 1 — Pick a Tree Emotion Activity

Tune of The Farmer in the Dell

What will the feeling be,

What will the feeling be?

Can you find the matching tree?

What will the feeling be?

In this activity, trees with varying emotion faces are placed on the Christmas farm printable page. Different scenarios are presented, the song above is sung, and children are to pick the tree that matches the scenario.

Scenario:

One little tree stayed up far too late

Song:

What will the feeling be,

What will the feeling be?

Can you find the matching tree?

What will the feeling be?

Children choose the tree from the tree farm whose emotion face best matches the scenario — in the case above, “tired.”

Activity 2 -- If You’re a Happy Gingerbread Clap Your Hands

These sweet gingerbread emotion cards can be used for the classic song “ If You’re Happy and You Know It.” A festive twist can be added to the song by changing the words to “If you’re a happy gingerbread, clap your hands.” Hold up different emotion gingerbread cards and add coping strategies to pair with them as you change each verse.

Ex. “If you’re sad and you know it, give yourself a hug”

“If you’re angry and you know it, take some deep breaths”

“If you’re silly and you know it, dance and stretch”

These emotion cards are part of the Gingerbread Activity Pack in my shop, which also includes a fun gingerbread house song, craft, and emotions memory game.

To further enrich your toolkit, explore a curated list of year-round songs for supporting emotional well-being in the freebie below. Happy holidays!