Emotional intelligence (EQ) plays a crucial role in helping children navigate their social lives, manage their emotions, and build stronger relationships. Developing these skills early can set a foundation for future success in school, work, and personal interactions. While there are many ways to help kids grow their emotional intelligence, one simple yet impactful approach is through gifts. Thoughtful gifts that focus on fostering empathy, self-regulation, and emotional understanding can provide a fun and engaging way for children to learn important emotional skills. In this post, we’ll explore some fantastic gift ideas that will help your child develop their emotional intelligence in a meaningful and enjoyable way.
Books That Teach Empathy and Emotions
Reading is one of the most effective ways for children to understand emotions and the perspectives of others. Books can introduce complex emotional concepts in a way that is both accessible and relatable. Here are a few excellent book options for developing emotional intelligence:
The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings by Anna Llenas

This beautifully illustrated book helps kids understand and manage their emotions by introducing them to colorful monsters representing different feelings like happiness, sadness, and anger. It’s perfect for young children learning to identify their emotions.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud

This heartwarming book teaches kids about kindness, empathy, and the concept of “filling” others’ emotional buckets through positive actions. It’s a great tool for fostering a positive and caring attitude.
Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis

This fun and engaging book takes kids through a range of emotions, helping them understand that it’s okay to feel different things every day. It’s an excellent resource for encouraging emotional expression.
Emotion-Themed Toys and Games
Learning through play is essential for young children, and toys and games that focus on emotions make emotional development enjoyable. Here are some creative gift ideas that allow children to explore their feelings while playing:
Emotion Flashcards

Flashcards that feature faces and names of various emotions can help children identify and label their feelings. You can find sets with diverse characters and scenarios, or you can create your own personalized cards at home.
The Empathy Game

A game designed to help children practice empathy, communication, and emotional recognition. The Empathy Game encourages children to recognize how others may feel in different situations and work together to solve problems.
Mood Plushies

Soft, cuddly plush toys that come in different colors or faces representing different emotions. These toys make a fun and interactive way to talk about feelings and help children express how they’re feeling in a non-verbal way.
Art and Craft Kits
Art provides an excellent outlet for emotional expression, and crafting allows kids to creatively explore their feelings. Here are some art-focused gift ideas to help children express and understand their emotions:
Feelings Collage Kits

Feelings collage kit can be made from various materials (magazines, stickers, or colored paper) to create art that represents how the children are feeling. This hands-on activity promotes emotional exploration while fostering creativity.
DIY Gratitude Journals

Encouraging kids to reflect on the positive aspects of their day can help them develop a habit of practicing gratitude. A DIY journal kit with prompts like “What made you smile today?” or “What kind words did you use today?” can be a great way to introduce emotional awareness and mindfulness.
Emotion Masks
A kit to create masks that represent different emotions (happy, sad, angry, surprised) can allow kids to explore how different emotions feel. By acting out these emotions, children can better understand how to express themselves and empathize with others.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Tools
Mindfulness is a powerful way to help children manage their emotions and develop self-regulation. Mindful practices can help kids stay calm in difficult situations and learn how to cope with stress and anxiety. Here are some mindfulness-related gift ideas:
Mindfulness Cards for Kids
Simple, child-friendly cards with mindfulness exercises or breathing techniques can introduce children to meditation and relaxation practices. These cards can be used during moments of stress or tension to help kids refocus and calm down.
Calm-Down Jars
A calm-down jar, filled with glitter and water, can be shaken to help kids regulate their emotions when they’re feeling overwhelmed. The jar’s contents move slowly, helping children to slow down and take deep breaths while waiting for the glitter to settle.
Kids Yoga Mats
Colorful yoga mat designed for children can encourage them to try out simple yoga poses and relaxation techniques. Yoga is a great way for kids to become more in tune with their bodies and emotions, promoting mindfulness and physical awareness.
Role-Playing and Pretend Play Sets
Role-playing activities allow kids to practice social interactions and build empathy by imagining what it’s like to be in someone else’s shoes. Here are some great pretend play gifts to help kids develop emotional intelligence:
Doctor Kits or Dollhouses
Pretend play sets like doctor kits or dollhouses let kids act out real-life scenarios and practice empathy by taking care of others or interacting in a community setting. These types of toys help kids understand emotions through care giving and social play.
Puppet Sets
Puppets can be used to act out different emotional situations and encourage conversations about feelings. Puppets are a fun and engaging way to help kids express and understand complex emotions in a safe and supportive way.
Costume Kits
Costumes that let kids play different roles (e.g., chef, teacher, firefighter) can spark creative play and provide opportunities to practice empathy and teamwork as they collaborate with others in their pretend scenarios.
Technology That Builds EQ
While screen time should be limited, certain apps and gadgets can support emotional development in kids. Here are some tech-based gifts that can help kids build emotional intelligence:
Interactive Emotion Apps
Apps like “Smiling Mind” or “Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame” offer interactive exercises that teach kids how to recognize and manage their emotions. These apps are designed for kids and make learning about emotions fun and engaging.
Mood Trackers for Kids
Digital mood trackers allow kids to document how they’re feeling throughout the day. These tools can help children become more self-aware and reflect on how their emotions change over time.
Gratitude and Kindness Tools
Practicing gratitude and kindness is essential for building emotional intelligence, as it helps children focus on positive emotions and strengthen their connections with others. Here are some great gift ideas to inspire kindness and gratitude:
Gratitude Jars
A gratitude jar is a creative way for kids to reflect on the things they’re thankful for. They can write down their thoughts and place them in the jar, creating a visual representation of positivity.
Kindness Challenge Cards
A set of kindness cards with prompts like “Give someone a compliment” or “Help a friend with homework” can encourage kids to perform acts of kindness, which helps develop empathy and positive social interactions.
Pay-It-Forward Kits
A kit that encourages children to make or give small gifts to others fosters a sense of community and social responsibility. By creating something for others, kids learn the value of empathy and kindness.
Why choose gifts for children that promote empathy and emotional awareness?
Gift-giving is not just about providing entertainment or material possessions – it can also be a powerful tool for helping children develop emotional intelligence. By choosing gifts that encourage empathy, emotional awareness, and self-regulation, you’re equipping kids with essential life skills that will serve them well their entire life. Whether it’s through books, games, or hands-on activities, there are countless ways to nurture emotional growth while having fun along the way.
By thoughtfully selecting gifts that build emotional intelligence, we’re helping to raise a generation of emotionally aware, compassionate, and resilient individuals. So, this year, choose gifts that inspire growth, learning, and empathy, and watch your child flourish emotionally!