This post is all about Social Emotional Learning Art Activities
Incorporating social emotional learning art activities into the classroom is a powerful way to support students’ emotional and social development. These engaging projects allow kids to express their feelings, build empathy, and strengthen self-awareness through creativity. Whether you’re looking to enhance mindfulness, promote positive behaviour, or encourage self-reflection, SEL art activities can transform your classroom into a space of emotional growth and connection. In this post, we’ll explore several fun and meaningful art projects designed to nurture social-emotional skills, making them the perfect addition to your classroom or school counseling activities.
1) Inside Out-Inspired SEL Craft for Emotions Awareness in the Classroom
This creative Inside Out craft activity is perfect for social emotional learning (SEL) in the classroom. It helps students explore and express their emotions through art, building empathy and self-awareness in a fun and engaging way. Perfect for teachers working on emotional intelligence with kids.
2) Handprint Tree Art Project for Social Emotional Learning
This creative handprint tree art project is a wonderful social emotional learning activity for the classroom. Students trace their hands and transform them into a tree, symbolizing growth, strength, and connection. This project encourages self-reflection and fosters a sense of belonging while exploring important SEL themes like personal growth and emotional expression.
3) SEL Things I Love Heart Art Project
This “Things I Love” heart art project is a meaningful social emotional learning activity that helps students express their emotions and interests. By dividing the heart into sections, students reflect on the things they love, fostering self-awareness and promoting positive self-expression. Perfect for building confidence and emotional understanding in the classroom.
4) Growth Mindset Thumbprint Art Project
This growth mindset thumbprint art project is a fun and meaningful social emotional learning activity. Students draw a thumbprint and write inside it positive affirmations or goals, promoting self-reflection and resilience. Perfect for teaching students about the power of “yet” and fostering a growth mindset in the classroom.
5) Gratitude Gallery Worksheet for Building Emotional Awareness
Foster gratitude and emotional intelligence with this Gallery of Gratitude worksheet. Perfect for social emotional learning, this activity helps students reflect on the positive aspects of their lives, boosting their self-esteem and promoting a sense of appreciation and mindfulness.
6) Building Confidence with a Self-Esteem Journal Worksheet
Help students cultivate self-worth with this Self-Esteem Journal worksheet. This social emotional learning activity encourages self-reflection.
7) Personal Growth Flower Art for Social Emotional Learning
This “Look How I Have Grown” flower art project is a fun and meaningful social emotional learning activity that encourages students to track their personal growth.
8) Affirmation Sun Art Project for Building Self-Esteem
This Affirmation Sun art activity is a fun social emotional learning project that helps students focus on their positive qualities, by writing affirmations on the sun’s rays
9) Exploring Self-Awareness with “About Me” Puzzle Pieces
The “About Me” puzzle pieces activity is a fantastic social emotional learning project that encourages students to reflect on themselves and express their unique personalities.
10) Managing Emotions Wheel
The “Managing Emotions” wheel is a fantastic social emotional learning activity designed to help students identify and regulate their emotions. This is a great tool for students who like to refer back to something when trying to explain their emotions.
11) Cool Coping Strategies on Ice Blocks
This creative “Cool Coping Strategies on Ice Blocks” activity helps students learn effective ways to manage stress and emotions, by writing coping strategies on ice blocks
12) Jellyfish Craft for Emotional Expression and Social Emotional Learning
I love this hands-on relax like a jellyfish craft. It makes for a great decoration in the classroom.
13) Lion Art Project for Fostering Confidence and Self-Worth
The Confidence Lion art project is a fun social-emotional learning activity. It comes with a lion template, making it easy to use for all ages.
14) Positive Self-Talk Flower Craft
This Positive Self-Talk Flower craft is a fun and easy activity. By writing positive self-talk on the flower petals, students learn to embrace a positive mindset, boosting their confidence and emotional resilience.
15) Growth Mindset Craft Inspired by The Magic of Yet
Inspired by The Magic of Yet book, this craft activity encourages students to embrace a growth mindset.
16) Kindness Donut Craft Inspired by The Jelly Donut Difference Book
This fun and meaningful donut craft, inspired by The Jelly Donut Difference: Sharing Kindness with the World, is a great social emotional learning activity for teaching students about kindness and generosity. Through this creative project, students reflect on how small acts of kindness can make a big difference, fostering empathy and compassion in the classroom.
17) Self-Care and Kindness Craft Inspired by The Good Egg Book
This Good Egg book-based craft is a great one for exploring themes of self-care, kindness, and personal growth. Through this hands-on activity, students reflect on how to be kind to themselves and others, fostering emotional well-being and promoting a positive classroom atmosphere.
18) Exploring Self-Identity with a Self-Portrait Art Project
The self-portrait art project is a powerful social emotional learning activity that helps students express and reflect on who they are.
19) Mindfulness Calming Stones Craft
Students create calming, personalized stones to use as a tool for relaxation and focus. Very cute and easy idea.
20) Mindfulness Through Zentangle Hand Art for Emotional Awareness
This Zentangle Hand Art project is an engaging activity that encourages mindfulness and emotional regulation. Zentangle is a relaxing art form that your kids will love.
21) Be Kind Collaborative Poster
The Be Kind Collaborative Poster is a fun social-emotional learning project encouraging students to work together while promoting kindness and empathy. Each student gets a section of the poster to colour in, which looks amazing when you put it all together.
22) Sprinkle of Kindness Cupcake Art
The Sprinkle of Kindness Cupcake Art activity is a fun and creative way to teach students about kindness and empathy. Students get to decorate the cupcakes with glitter and sequins
23) Seed of Kindness Craft for Teaching Empathy and Growth
The Seed of Kindness Craft is a meaningful social emotional learning activity that encourages students to reflect on how kindness grows and spreads. Through this craft, students create a “seed” of kindness, symbolizing how small acts of kindness can flourish into positive relationships and a caring classroom environment. This is also a great activity for the older year groups.
24) Kindness and Love Wool & Bead Heart Craft for SEL
The Wool and Bead Heart Craft is a meaningful social emotional learning project that encourages students to express kindness. Plus they make great decorations to hang in your classroom
25) Creating a Collaborative “Welcome to Our Classroom” Poster for Unity and Inclusion
This Collaborative “Welcome to Our Classroom” Poster activity promotes teamwork and inclusivity. As part of social-emotional learning, students work together to create a poster that celebrates diversity, belonging, and positive classroom culture.
26) All About Me Worksheet
One of the best ways to kick off a self-reflection unit is with an “All About Me” worksheet. This simple yet effective activity allows students to reflect on who they are and what makes them unique. It’s perfect for back-to-school or as part of a larger SEL lesson. This benefits everyone as it helps teachers, parents and other students get to know this student.
In this worksheet, students can draw and write about things that are important to them—like their family, hobbies, and favourite activities. It comes in both colour and black-and-white versions to suit different classroom preferences.
27) Exploring Symbolism: Understanding the Power of Symbols
In the Exploring Symbolism lesson, students will learn the concept of symbolism and how it relates to their personal identity. This resource includes a detailed lesson plan with prompts to help students create their own symbols representing aspects of who they are, such as their dreams, family, and values.
Students will also engage in an interactive activity where they brainstorm and create symbols for feelings and ideas, such as courage, kindness, or hope. This activity is more of a guide for teachers to explore symbolism, with helpful lesson ideas and discussion points. It sets the stage for a deeper connection with self-reflection, making it a perfect introduction to your students’ personal growth journey.
28) Symbolism Flash Cards: Visual Tools for Self-Exploration
Flashcards are a fantastic way to introduce students to common symbols and spark discussion. This activity goes perfectly with my Exploring Symbolism Resource. My Symbolism Flash Cards feature 8 powerful symbols, including the heart, star, tree, rainbow, and more. Each card includes a visual representation, the meaning behind the symbol, and discussion points to guide classroom conversations.
Use these flashcards to discuss topics like friendship, love, self-care, and personal values. These discussions can help students connect their feelings to the symbols and encourage them to reflect on their own identities.
29) Circle Symbolism Template: A Creative Self-Reflection Activity
To finish off your symbolism unit, why not create some beautiful art to hang in your classroom? The Circle Symbolism Template is a creative, visual tool for students to represent their identity. Divided into 7 sections surrounding a heart in the centre, this template encourages students to draw symbols that represent their family, favourite place, dreams, values, and more.
This template is perfect for helping students visually explore their identity while expressing themselves artistically. It’s a fantastic activity for building self-esteem and enhancing self-awareness in your classroom.
30) Get the Complete Symbolism and Self-Reflection Bundle
If you’re looking for a complete package to support your students’ self-reflection journey, my Symbolism and Self-Reflection Bundle is just what you need! This bundle includes all of the activities listed above as a discounted price.
When you purchase the bundle, you’ll save money and have everything you need to foster a classroom environment that values self-expression and emotional growth. Grab the full bundle
Inspiring Emotional Growth Through Creative SEL Art Activities
Incorporating social emotional learning (SEL) art activities into your classroom not only enhances students’ emotional awareness but also encourages a positive, inclusive learning environment. Through creative projects like the Zentangle Hand Art, Be Kind Collaborative Poster, and Growth Mindset Thumbprint Craft, students gain valuable skills in self-expression, empathy, and emotional regulation. These hands-on activities encourage self-reflection, promote kindness, and help students understand their emotions, building a solid foundation for emotional intelligence.
By integrating art into SEL, you’re not only nurturing creativity but also teaching your students how to manage their emotions, set goals, and connect with others. As you introduce these SEL-focused art activities, you’ll find that they offer a fun and meaningful way to engage your students in their emotional development.
Whether you’re looking for mindfulness crafts, kindness projects, or growth mindset activities, these art projects are a fantastic addition to your classroom toolkit. Don’t forget to explore additional resources for SEL art activities and related tools to further support your teaching and your students’ growth. Embrace the power of creativity and make a lasting impact on your students’ emotional well-being!
Please note that I am not endorsed by any of the creators or sources linked in this blog post. The ideas, activities, and resources shared here are based on my personal experience and research. All opinions and recommendations are my own, and I do not receive any compensation from the creators featured. My goal is to share valuable and creative social emotional learning (SEL) art activities to inspire and support teachers in the classroom.
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