Children feel many things before they have the words for them. A child who can say “I am tired” or “I feel shy” has a simple way to tell you what is going on, in English as well as in the language you speak at home.
This guide gives you 32 feelings words for kids in four groups, with one short sentence for each. The sentences are written from your child’s point of view, so they can say them back in the same form.
Name your own feelings out loud during the day: “I feel tired.” “I am excited about the trip.” Children pick up a feelings word fastest when they hear it used for something real.
All 32 feelings words and examples on 4 A4 pages, with tick boxes, a feelings check-in and games. Free to print for home or classroom.
32 feelings words for kids
Start with the words your child uses most, such as happy, sad, tired and hungry. Add words like proud or nervous when they come up in real life.
1. Happy feelings
| Word | Simple example |
|---|---|
| happy | I feel happy when I play with my friends. |
| excited | I am excited about the trip. |
| proud | I feel proud of my drawing. |
| calm | I feel calm when I breathe slowly. |
| loved | I feel loved when you hug me. |
| silly | I feel silly when we dance. |
| brave | I was brave at the doctor. |
| thankful | I am thankful for my family. |
2. Hard feelings
| Word | Simple example |
|---|---|
| sad | I feel sad when my toy breaks. |
| angry | I feel angry when someone takes my turn. |
| scared | I feel scared in the dark. |
| worried | I am worried about the test. |
| lonely | I feel lonely when nobody is home. |
| jealous | I feel jealous when my friend gets a gift. |
| upset | I am upset because I lost my pencil. |
| frustrated | I feel frustrated when the puzzle is hard. |
3. Feelings in the body
| Word | Simple example |
|---|---|
| tired | I feel tired after school. |
| hungry | I am hungry before dinner. |
| thirsty | I am thirsty after I run. |
| sleepy | I feel sleepy at bedtime. |
| sick | I feel sick and I need to rest. |
| hot | I feel hot in the sun. |
| cold | I feel cold in the rain. |
| full | I am full after lunch. |
4. Other feelings
| Word | Simple example |
|---|---|
| surprised | I was surprised by the party. |
| shy | I feel shy with new people. |
| bored | I feel bored when it rains all day. |
| curious | I am curious about the moon. |
| confused | I feel confused by this word. |
| nervous | I feel nervous before I sing. |
| embarrassed | I felt embarrassed when I fell. |
| relaxed | I feel relaxed on the sofa. |
Make a daily feelings check-in
One quiet minute at the same time each day is enough. Bedtime and the walk home from school both work well. Ask “How do you feel today?” and offer two or three words from the tables to choose from. Choosing a word is easier than finding one.
“How do you feel today?”
“Tired.”
“You feel tired. Was it a long day?”
Accept any answer. If your child answers in Hindi, Telugu or another home language, say the English word back and carry on with the conversation.
A 5-minute game: feelings faces
Show me, tell me
- Make a face for a feeling, such as surprised or sleepy.
- Ask “How do I feel?” and let your child guess.
- Say the sentence together: “You feel surprised.”
- Swap. Your child makes a face and you guess, and you can guess wrong on purpose.
- Finish by asking “When do you feel surprised?”
Talk about feelings in stories
Stories are a gentle way to practise feelings words, because the feelings belong to someone else. After a story, ask “How does the crow feel?” or “How does the lion feel now?” You can try it with Pyaasa Kauwa or Sher Aur Chuha. Our guide to 50 English conversation questions has more questions to ask.
A note for parents
A word list is a way to practise English, not a way to understand how your child is doing. If your child seems very upset, anxious or withdrawn for much of the time, it is worth talking to a qualified teacher or health professional who knows your child.
Feelings words belong in everyday talk
You do not need a lesson. Use a feelings word when you notice one, repeat it tomorrow in a different moment, and let your child use it in their own time. For more everyday words, see the 100 easy English words for kids.
Frequently asked questions
What feelings words should kids learn first in English?
Begin with the feelings your child shows most often: happy, sad, tired, hungry and angry. Add words like proud, shy or nervous when they come up in real life.
How can I help my child talk about feelings in English?
Name your own feelings out loud, ask "How do you feel today?" at the same time each day, and offer two or three words to pick from, so your child does not have to find the word alone.
What if my child answers in another language?
That is fine. Say the English word back and carry on with the conversation. Your child understands the idea and will pick up the English word by hearing it again.
Can I use stories to teach feelings words?
Yes. Stories are a gentle way to practise because the feelings belong to a character. After a story, ask how the character feels now.
Is there a printable list of feelings words?
Yes. The PDF on this page has all 32 words with a tick box for each, a feelings check-in and games. It is free to print for home or classroom use.
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Written by the Flucie team. See how we make our content or send a correction to hello@flucie.com.
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