Social and Emotional Drama Activities for Children

Social and emotional drama activities for children can help children explore feelings, relationships, confidence, empathy, friendship, change and self-expression through play, movement and role.

This hub brings together Drama Start workshops, games, stories and articles that support social and emotional learning in early years, primary classrooms, drama groups and other settings for children.

Social and Emotional Activities for Preschoolers Through Drama

• Exploring Emotions Through Drama: Practical Activities for the Early Years
• Exploring Emotions: Drama Workshop for Ages 4–7
• The Red Shoes: Drama Workshop on Emotions
• Exploring Happiness: Drama Workshop for Young Children

Drama Games for Confidence and Self-Esteem

• Drama Activities to Build Children’s Confidence
• Group Activities to Support Children’s Self-Esteem
• The Power of Play: How Drama Boosts Children’s Development

Empathy, Friendship and Relationships

New workshop: Exploring Friendship Through Drama: An Inquiry-Led Workshop for Children — five imaginative invitations exploring belonging, cooperation, empathy and relationships for ages 3–7.

• Drama Workshop: Empathy and Gratitude with The Little Match Girl
• The Monkey and the Crocodile Drama Workshop, Ages 7–9
• Drama Workshop: The Crane and the Peacock
• The Four Friends and the Hunter: Five-Minute Play Script

Gratitude, Kindness and Positive Emotions

• Gratitude Drama Workshop for Children
• The Buddha and the Beggar Man: Children’s Play
• Drama Workshop Plan: The Christmas Angel

Change, Grief and Difficult Feelings

• A Therapeutic Story About Grief for a Four-Year-Old
• The Journey of a Seed – Life and Death: A Movement Story
• Therapeutic Benefits of Clay in Play Therapy
• Packing My School Bag: Drama Game for Transitions

Inclusive Social and Emotional Drama

• Inclusive Drama Activities for Children
• Creative Drama Activities for Preschool Children
• Inquiry-Based Drama in the Early Years

More Drama Start Resources

You can also explore the Drama Workshops for Children, Drama Games for Children and Free Children’s Play Scripts hubs.

For more practical drama ideas focused on feelings, emotional expression and social development, explore Drama Start: Exploring Emotions.