Feelings Detective
Read faces, body clues and situations to work out how someone feels, then choose a kind detective move. Feelings Detective practises reading emotions and empathy and is best for social skills and friendship difficulties.
How to play Feelings Detective
- 1Read the case and all three clues: face, body and words.
- 2Choose the feeling that fits best. More than one can be right.
- 3Read why, and the kind detective move.
- 4Try a kind move in real life this week.
Who it helps
- Building emotional vocabulary
- Children who find social situations confusing
- Friendship and playground difficulties
- Classroom SEL lessons
- Families talking about feelings together
Why Feelings Detective works
Recognising emotions in faces, bodies and situations is a core part of social and emotional learning (SEL). Large reviews of school SEL programmes, including Durlak and colleagues' 2011 meta-analysis of more than 270,000 students, link these skills to better behaviour and wellbeing. Each case gives three clues, accepts that people can feel two things at once, and ends with a kind response, so recognising a feeling always leads to a caring action.
Read the full guide on our blog →Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Feelings Detective for?
Feelings Detective is designed for ages 6+. Use the age button in the top corner of the game to switch between Little (5-8), Older (9-12) and Teen+ modes, which adjust the tips, text size and voice speed.
What does Feelings Detective teach?
It practises reading emotions and empathy. It works best for social skills and friendship difficulties.
Is Feelings Detective free?
Yes. It runs in any modern web browser on phones, tablets and computers, with no app, download or account needed.
Can it replace therapy or medical care?
No. Mindfulness games are a supportive everyday practice, not a treatment. If a child or adult is struggling with ongoing anxiety, low mood, anger or sleep problems, speak with a doctor, counsellor or other qualified professional.
Try another game
Pick the weather that matches how you feel and get a gentle practice matched perfectly to your mood.
Send a kind wish to yourself, someone you love, someone neutral, someone difficult, and all beings everywhere.
Plant seeds of kindness for yourself and watch your very own garden bloom with every kind thought.