Social-Emotional Learning Activities For K-2 Classrooms

Explore four fun, practical, and effective Social-Emotional Learning Activities For K-2 Classrooms.

As a parent or teacher, I’m sure you would agree that our kiddos in kindergarten through second grade need help navigating their emotions, building healthy relationships, and learning how to communicate their feelings in safe and respectful ways.

My friend, that’s where Social Emotional Learning (SEL) comes in!

If you’re looking for simple, effective SEL activities for kids in kindergarten, first, or second grade,  you’re in the right place.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through:

• What SEL is and why it matters,

• Easy daily routines that foster social-emotional skills,

• Favorite go-to activities for your classroom,

• And four ready-to-use SEL resources that are perfect for K–2 learners (saving you tons of time from having to prep your own.)

Let’s dive in!

What Is Social Emotional Learning?

Social Emotional Learning is all about helping kids:

• Recognize and manage their emotions

• Set goals and problem solve

• Show empathy for others

• Build positive relationships

• Make responsible decisions

SEL shouldn’t be a subject that you teach once a week. But rather be intertwined into your daily lesson plan through circle time, class discussions, storybooks, activities, and even transitions.

The earlier we start teaching our kids about emotions and how to express themselves, the better it is for them both academically and personally.

Why SEL Matters in K–2?

Young children might not have the words or tools to express their big emotions and what’s going on inside. Leading them to:

• Feeling frustration

• Acting out

• Experiencing trouble working with peers

• Challenges following directions

That’s why teaching SEL from a young age is so powerful.

In K–2 classrooms, SEL helps children:

• Learn how to self-regulate

• Use calming strategies

• Express feelings with words instead of actions

• Understand that all emotions are okay — it’s how we respond that matters

Social Emotional Learning Activities That Work

Let’s take a look at some practical SEL activities you can start using today. These don’t require tons of prep and work beautifully during morning meetings, transitions, or as part of a weekly SEL block.

1. Feelings Check-In

Start your day with a simple check-in. Ask:

• “How are you feeling today?”

• “Point to the face that matches your mood.”

Use a feelings poster or emotions chart with visuals (happy, sad, worried, excited, etc.). Invite kids to place a sticky note or clothespin next to their current mood.

This builds emotional awareness and helps kids name their feelings, which is a huge step in developing emotional intelligence.

Free Preschool Printable Feelings Activity (85 downloads )

2. Classroom Calming Corner

Designate a safe space in your room where kids can go when they’re overwhelmed, upset, or need a moment to cool down.

Include:

Breathing visuals

• Calm-down strategy cards

• Stress balls or fidget toys

• A timer

Kids learn that it’s okay to take a break, and they begin to self-regulate rather than act out.

3. Emotion Sorting Activities

Introduce emotion sorting games where students match scenarios or facial expressions with feelings.

Example:

• A card that says “I lost my toy” gets matched with “sad.”

• A card showing a child with fists clenched might be labeled “angry.”

Hands-on activities like these are developmentally appropriate and reinforce vocabulary for talking about emotions.

4. Storytime with an SEL Twist

Choose books that model emotional understanding and problem-solving.

A few K–2 favorites:

• The Color Monster by Anna Llenas

• My Mouth Is a Volcano by Julia Cook

• Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud

After reading, ask reflection questions like:

• “How did the character feel?”

• “What could they have done differently?”

• “Have you ever felt the same way?”

5. Breathing & Grounding Techniques

Teach simple breathing strategies like:

• “Smell the flower, blow out the candle.”

• “Rainbow breathing” (inhale and trace up the arc, exhale and trace down)

Use visuals or printable breathing cards so kids can practice on their own.

Grounding techniques like “5-4-3-2-1 senses” (name 5 things you can see, 4 you can feel, etc.) can also calm anxious energy quickly.

My Favorite SEL Resource for K–2 Learners

Here are some of my favorite SEL resources that I think you may like, and the best part they are low-prep to no-prep. Saving you hours of work!

Friendship Activities

This printable resource includes fun and engaging friendship-building worksheets, writing activities, identifying actions of a good friend and a not-so-good friend, and friendship certificates.

SHOP FRIENDSHIP ACTIVITIES!

Kindness Activities

I designed these kindness worksheets to help children explore what it means to be a kind friend. This printable pack includes reflection prompts, cut-and-paste activities, kindness tree, role-play cards, and more!

These hands-on therapy worksheets are great for preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary students.

SHOP KINDNESS ACTIVITIES!

Self-Esteem Building Activities

This printable set includes 6 self-esteem worksheets that support social-emotional learning (SEL) and help children build a strong foundation of self-worth, kindness, and confidence.

SHOP SELF-ESTEEM ACTIVITIES

All About Me Self-Esteem Activities

Looking for meaningful “All About Me” activities to build self-esteem, kids’ mindset, social-emotional learning, and classroom community?

These fun, engaging, no-prep get-to-know-me worksheets are perfect for the first day of school, back-to-school week, morning work, or anytime in between you want to help your students reflect on what makes them special!

SHOP ALL ABOUT ME ACTIVITIES

 SEL Isn’t Extra — It’s Essential

Incorporating Social Emotional Learning into your K–2 classroom is one of the best things you can do for your students’ growth, confidence, and behavior.

The best part, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Start small, perhaps with a daily feelings check-in, a quick breathing moment, or a picture book that promotes emotional intelligence. Then, of course, you can build from there.

And when you’re ready for more structure, grab my no-prep SEL resources from Etsy. 

Because when we teach kids how to handle emotions, communicate, and care for themselves and others, we’re not just shaping good students. We’re raising kind, resilient humans.

Pin Social-Emotional Learning Activities For K-2 Classrooms

If you haven’t yet done so, please save these SEL activities to your SEL Pinterest board, so that you can easily find them when needed. And while on Pinterest, please consider following me. I would absolutely appreciate it!