Happy Jar & Worry Jar Worksheets for Kids — Emotion Worksheets Printable

Happy Jar & Worry Jar Worksheets — Helping Kids Recognise Feelings & Find Peace

Helping kids understand their emotions is super important. These Happy Jar and Worry Jar worksheets give children a safe, fun way to express the things that make them joyful and the worries they carry. By separating the happy from the worrying, children can start to feel more in control, more positive, and better able to talk about what’s going on inside.

What’s Inside

Here’s what each jar worksheet includes:

• Happy Jar

  • A big jar outline labelled “Happy Jar”

  • Space for kids to write or draw things that make them happy

  • Prompts to help them reflect on good feelings and positive aspects of their day

• Worry Jar

  • A jar outline labelled “Worry Jar”

  • A place for kids to put down their worries — writing or drawing them

  • A visual “container” for anxiety so kids don’t feel like they have to carry worries all the time

Why These Are Useful for Kids, Classrooms & Homeschool

• Encourages emotional literacy — helps children name what they feel

• Helps externalise feelings so that worries don’t feel overwhelming

• Promotes mindfulness and self awareness

• Useful tools in mental health, for anxiety, or just general well-being

• Works well in class during morning meeting, or at home during evening check-ins

How to Use Them: Tips and Steps

1. Print the worksheets. Laminate if you want reusability; use pens or coloured pencils.

2. Introduce the concept: explain what a “Happy Jar” is (holding positive things) vs a “Worry Jar” (holding concerns).

3. Set aside a quiet time: maybe morning or evening — for the Happy Jar, ask “what made you happy today?”; for Worry Jar, “what’s bothering you?”

4. Encourage kids to write or draw in the jars regularly, even when there’s “nothing big.” The small happy things or small worries count.

5. Review together: periodically open up the jars to talk about items. For worries, see if any can be addressed; for happy things, celebrate them!

6. Make it part of routine so children know they always have this safe place for their emotions.

These worksheets are a simple but powerful way to help children recognise both joy and worry. Grab your printables, try them out, and see how they help bring more calm, clarity, and positivity into your child’s day!