Toddler Emotion Faces Board Book
Look through a board book showing different emotions together, naming each feeling and making the face — building early emotion recognition.
What You'll Need
- 1Board book with emotion faces or photos
- 2Unbreakable mirror (optional)
What You'll Need
A board book showing facial expressions and emotions (many great options exist for toddlers)
An unbreakable mirror for making faces together (optional but fun)
How to Play
Pick a board book with clear photos or illustrations of different emotions.
Sit your toddler on your lap and open to the first page together.
Point to the face and name the feeling: "Look, this baby is happy! See the big smile?"
Make the happy face yourself and encourage your toddler to try it too.
Turn to the next emotion. Name it, point out the facial cues, make the face together.
Ask simple questions: "Can you make a sad face? Show me sad!"
Connect it to real life: "You make that happy face when we blow bubbles!"
Why It Works
Before toddlers can manage their emotions, they need to recognize them — in themselves and in others. Books with clear emotion faces give them a safe, low-pressure way to study what feelings look like. When you name the emotion and connect it to their own experiences, you're building their emotional vocabulary. This is the foundation of empathy and self-regulation that will serve them for years.
Tips
Start with just 3-4 basic emotions: happy, sad, mad, scared. Add more complex ones later.
Hold up a mirror so they can see their own face while making expressions. Toddlers find this hilarious.
Don't worry about "correct" faces. If their sad face looks silly, that's fine. The naming matters more.
Read emotion books when your toddler is actually experiencing a feeling: "You look frustrated, just like this picture!"
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 10 min, with 0 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: board book with emotion faces or photos, unbreakable mirror (optional).
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 1-2 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
Ratings & Reviews
Sign in to leave a rating or review.
Add to Your Weekly Plan
Schedule this activity into your family's week. It takes about 10 min.
Free account required to save plans
Explore More
Love this activity?
Create a free account and add it to your weekly planner. Discover hundreds more activities matched to your child's age.