How Would They Feel? Empathy Activity for Toddlers & Preschoolers

Category Social & Emotional Development

Age Range Ages 2–6

Time 5–15 minutes

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What You Need

You can play this activity with no supplies at all, or use simple picture cards and toys to make the scenarios easier to imagine.

Crayons

Paper

Clipboard

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Choose a simple situation. Pick something familiar, like a child dropping a toy, losing a turn, getting a hug, or being left out. Ask the feeling question. Say, “How do you think they would feel?” Offer choices if needed. Try, “Would they feel happy, sad, mad, worried, or surprised?” Talk about why. Ask, “What happened that made them feel that way?” Imagine a kind response. Ask, “What could we do to help?” Act it out. Use a puppet, stuffed animal, or toy figure to replay the situation. End with encouragement. Say, “You noticed their feeling. That was kind thinking.”

Complete all 7 steps to finish.

Why This Feeling Activity Works

How Would They Feel helps young children build empathy by practicing one simple question: how might someone else feel in this situation?

Toddlers and preschoolers are still learning that other people can have different thoughts, needs, and emotions. This activity gives them a gentle way to think beyond their own experience without pressure or shame.

By using short pretend scenarios, children learn to name feelings, connect emotions to events, and begin understanding how their actions can affect others.

Skills Built

This activity supports social awareness, emotional language, and early empathy skills.

Empathy: Children practice thinking about how another person might feel.
Emotion naming: Kids learn words like happy, sad, frustrated, worried, excited, and disappointed.
Perspective-taking: Children begin to understand that different people may feel different things.
Problem-solving: Kids think about kind ways to respond when someone has a feeling.
Conversation skills: Children practice listening, answering, and explaining their ideas.

Easy Scenario Prompts

“A friend’s block tower falls down. How would they feel?”
“Someone gets a turn with their favorite toy. How would they feel?”
“A child wants to play, but nobody hears them. How would they feel?”
“Someone gives Grandma a picture they made. How would Grandma feel?”
“A friend drops their snack on the floor. How would they feel?”
“A child gets invited to join a game. How would they feel?”
“Someone is waiting a long time for a turn. How would they feel?”

Easy Variations for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Puppet Feelings

Use a puppet to act out each situation. Children often feel more comfortable talking about a puppet’s feelings than their own.

Picture Card Feelings

Draw simple faces or use emotion cards. Let your child point to the feeling instead of saying the word.

Storybook Feelings

Pause during a book and ask, “How do you think this character feels right now?”

Real-Life Reflection

After everyday moments, gently ask, “How do you think your friend felt when that happened?”

Kindness Follow-Up

Add one more question: “What could we say or do to help them feel better?”

Make It Easier or Harder

For Younger Toddlers

Use only two feeling choices at a time, such as happy or sad.
Point to your own face to show the emotion.
Use stuffed animals, puppets, or dolls to make the situation concrete.
Keep each scenario very short.

For Older Preschoolers

Ask why the person might feel that way.
Talk about mixed feelings, like excited and nervous.
Ask what could happen next.
Invite your child to create their own feeling scenario.
Practice kind words they could say in that moment.

Common Questions About How Would They Feel

What age is this activity best for?

This activity works well for ages 2–6. Younger toddlers may point to a feeling face, while older preschoolers can explain why someone might feel a certain way.

Does this activity teach empathy?

Yes. It helps children practice noticing other people’s emotions and imagining what someone else may be experiencing.

What if my child gives the wrong answer?

Treat their answer as a starting point. You can say, “Maybe. They might feel that way. They might also feel sad because their toy broke.”

Can this be used after conflict?

Yes, but keep the tone calm and supportive. The goal is reflection, not blame.

Quick Recap

How Would They Feel is a simple empathy-building activity for toddlers and preschoolers. Children listen to short scenarios, imagine another person’s feelings, and practice kind, thoughtful responses.