Imagine turning a simple walk in the park into a magical “emotion hunt” where 1st graders discover feelings. This 2-hour outdoor STEAM project helps 1st-grade students connect their inner feelings with the natural world around them. Through 6 exciting stages, children go from learning about basic emotions to exploring the wild to find “sad” broken sticks or “joyful” bright petals.  Working in pairs, children go on an “emotion hunt” to collect or draw natural objects like leaves and stones that represent feelings like joy or anger. Students use these materials to create “emotion maps” and “nature faces,” blending science observation with artistic expression. They become little scientists and artists, collecting natural treasures to build creative “emotion maps” and “nature faces.” The activity helps kids name their emotions and develop empathy by sharing their discoveries and listening to their classmates.

SPIRIT Skill Focus

• Connectedness
• Emotional awareness, regulation and communication
• Empathy
• Creativity

Basic Information Sheet

Age group	Student number	Duration	Number of stages	Subjects connection and relevance
1st grade students	Whole class (Pairs or small groups)	2h	6 stages	Science art

Emotions in Nature is a 1.5-hour outdoor activity for children aged 6–8 that links emotions with elements found in nature. Working in pairs or small groups, kids go on an “emotion hunt,” collecting or drawing natural items that represent basic feelings. They then sort and present their finds, explaining the emotional connections. The activity encourages emotional expression, empathy, and observation skills in a natural setting.

National curriculum Link and Objectives

• Develop observation skills and environmental awareness (science).
• Use classification and comparison techniques.