Emotion Potions: A Swirl of Feelings

A nature-inspired way to help little ones explore their emotions through color, texture, and imagination.

We all know what it’s like to have big feelings. But what if you could see those emotions come to life in a jar? This simple, hands-on activity invites children to connect with their feelings using color, texture, and treasures from the outdoors. By turning emotions into something they can hold and swirl, little ones begin to understand and name what they feel - laying a strong foundation for emotional literacy.

Companion Book:

Yesterday I Had the Blues by Jeron Ashford Frame, Art by R. Gregory Christie

This book explores the emotional landscape of a young boy through a rich scheme of colors and sounds. The author seamlessly weaves language with rhythm and feeling, using colors as a metaphorical lens to depict a wide range of emotions, without directly naming them. This invites young readers to infer and interpret, making the book not only engaging but also an effective tool for developing emotional literacy.

Here’s what you need:

• Water

• Nature treasures (stones, charcoal, leaves, evergreen sprigs, flower pedals, food coloring, etc.)

• Stick (for stirring)

• Clear jar or cup (one for each child, if your working with a group)

Here’s what you do:

1. Start with a check-in. Pour water into the jar, filling it about two-thirds of the way. Then pause, and ask:

   • “How are you feeling right now?”
     Help your child name their emotion. Are they happy? Embarassed? Shy? Excited?

2. Become curious. Once they’ve named the feeling, wonder together:

   • “What color do you think goes with that feeling?”

   • “What kind of objects remind you of that emotion? Something soft? Spiky? Heavy?

3. Invite Exploration. Encourage your child to explore the colors and nature treasures you’ve collected. Let them choose what resonates with their feelings. Some ideas:

   • Angry? Maybe red coloring and prickly evergreen needles.

   • Calm? Smooth stones and cool blue water.

   • Joyful? Bright yellow petals and swirls of yellow water.

4. Make your potion. Add the items into the jar and gently stir with the stick. Watch the colors mix and textures swirl.

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Notes & Extensions

• You might notice (like we did!) that your potion may not turn out to be the color your child expected. Ours ended up a murky brown (as in the photo above), even though my kiddos carefully chose colors to match their feelings. And you know what? That led to a really meaningful conversation.

  We realized there were a lot of emotions swirling around at once - some joy, some frustration, even a bit of tiredness. It was a great reminder that it’s okay to feel more than one thing at the same time. In fact, the cloudy water showed us something important: our feelings can be mixed and messy, and that’s ok.

• Calming Tools: Emotion Potions act as visual reminders and emotional regulators. Watching the water swirl can be soothing during stressful or overstimulating moments.

• Make a Sensory Bottle: Want to make it last longer? Swap organic materials for non-degradable items like plastic beads, sequins, or glitter. Transfer everything into a plastic bottle filled with colored water or mineral oil, and a tightly sealed (and optionally taped) lid for a safe, shakeable sensory tool. Find some great tips and varieties at Preschool Inspirations.