PRODUCT WATCH ROUNDUP We’ve added new information to ASH Wales Product Watch about nicotine products that may be less familiar. Pouchless nicotine pods have a UK-facing retail listing: these small oral portions have no outer pouch and are not designed to melt. We’ve also added international examples of ultra-thin and semi-gel nicotine pouches, and updated our page on gels, creams, sprays and nasal inhalers. UK or Welsh availability has not been established for those international examples. These updates explain what the products are, what is verified and what remains uncertain. They do not establish how widely any product is used in Wales.
Nicofiends activity
Little Feelings Monster
A creative drawing activity helping children recognise big feelings and identify a trusted grown-up they can ask for help.
What it explores
Feelings, confidence and asking a trusted grown-up for help.
Time
15 to 20 mins
Age
Ages 4 to 7
Setting
Classroom, Youth group, Community setting, At home
Group size
Individuals within any group size
Activity at a glance
Best for
Helping younger children recognise and talk about feelings in a gentle, creative way.
You’ll need
Paper and colouring pens, or the printable monster outline.
Key message
Big feelings can make choices harder. It helps to notice the feeling and ask a trusted grown-up for help.
How to run it
- Explain that feelings can sometimes feel big, silly, wobbly or brave.
- Ask each child to draw a little monster that shows a feeling. It could be:
- A brave monster
- A worried monster
- A left-out monster
- A joining-in monster
- A shy monster
- An “I want to choose” monster
- Ask them to give their monster a name.
- Invite anyone who wants to share their monster to explain which feeling it shows.
- Finish by asking everyone to think of one trusted grown-up they could speak to if they experienced a big feeling.
- Ask children what might help the fictional monster feel calmer, safer or more confident. Ideas might include taking a breath, moving away, finding a quiet space or speaking to a trusted grown-up.
Discussion prompts
- How might the monster be feeling?
- What could have made the monster feel that way?
- What might help the monster?
- How could the monster show someone that it needs help?
- What kind of grown-up could help?
Reflection
Ask each child to choose one thing that could help the fictional monster. Children may think privately about a trusted grown-up without naming that person aloud.
Link To Smoking, Vaping or Nicotine
Leave blank. The source pack states that activities for ages 4–7 should avoid vaping examples, nicotine facts, product details and health harms.
Adapting the activity
Make it Easier
Give children the simple monster outline to colour in and let them choose a feeling from a short list.
Make it Harder
Ask children to add a speech bubble showing what their monster might say or ask for when experiencing that feeling.
Safety Note
Keep the discussion focused on the fictional monster. Do not ask children to explain their own feelings or experiences. Children may speak, draw, point or watch. If a child shares a concern, follow your organisation’s safeguarding procedure.
Ready to Run The Acitvity
Download the activity PDF or go back to the resource hub to find another activity.
Help us improve Nicofiends
Share feedback
Used this activity?
Tell us how it went. It takes about a minute and helps us understand how Nicofiends is being used with young people across Wales.