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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.
printable materials

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.

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