15 Books and Games for Teaching Empathy to Kids

Raise your hand if you’ve ever wondered how to teach your kids to handle big feelings without losing your own cool. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! These 15 books and games from Amazon make teaching empathy less of a struggle and more of a joy. Packed with heartwarming stories and fun activities, they’re here to help you guide your little ones toward kindness, compassion, and those oh-so-important life skills—all while keeping things light and playful. Let’s dive in!

1. You, Me and Empathy: Teaching children about empathy

It’s never too early to teach kids the power of kindness. You, Me and Empathy uses beautiful illustrations and a relatable character, Quinn, to gently guide children through understanding feelings, compassion, and kindness. This storybook also includes discussion questions and activities to help little ones recognize bullying behaviors and build empathy in their everyday lives.

2. Empathy Workbook for Kids: 50 Activities to Learn

Teaching kids to care starts with fun, hands-on learning. The Empathy Workbook for Kids is packed with 50 creative activities designed to help children ages 6 to 9 build kindness, compassion, and social understanding. With colorful illustrations, playful language, and quizzes, it’s an engaging way to make empathy lessons stick.

3. Feelings and Dealings: An Emotions and Empathy Card Game

Helping kids understand emotions doesn’t have to feel complicated. Feelings and Dealings is an award-winning card game that teaches empathy, emotional intelligence, and social skills through play. With 48 colorful cards and multiple game options, it’s perfect for parents, teachers, or therapists looking to help kids aged 3 to 6 explore emotions in a fun and meaningful way.

4. Junior Learning Social Skills Board Games

Teaching empathy and social skills gets a fun twist with Junior Learning Social Skills Board Games. Designed for kids aged 5-8, these four engaging games cover empathy, friendship, manners, and emotional understanding in a playful, hands-on way.

5. Stand in My Shoes: Kids Learning About Empathy

When Emily learns about empathy, her world opens up in Stand in My Shoes. This heartwarming story helps kids understand the power of noticing how others feel and shows how simple acts of kindness can brighten someone’s day. Perfect for parents and kids to read together, this book makes teaching empathy an easy, meaningful experience.

6. Kindness is My Superpower: A Children’s Book About Empathy

Kindness truly is a superpower, and Kindness is My Superpower shows kids how to use it. Through Lucas’s story, this award-winning book teaches empathy, good manners, and the value of saying, “I’m sorry,” all with peaceful rhymes and colorful illustrations. Perfect for parents raising kind and caring children, it’s a heartfelt lesson in compassion that’s as enjoyable as it is meaningful.

7. Thought-Spot MAD SMARTZ 2: an Interpersonal Skills Card Game

Big feelings can be tough for kids to navigate, but Mad Smartz 2 helps make it easier—and fun! This card game blends playtime with lessons in empathy, anger management, and social skills, creating a safe space for meaningful learning.

8. 108 Feelings & Emotions Cards – Flashcard Game for Kids Emotional Intelligence

Feelings Safari is a playful card game designed by a Pediatric Occupational Therapist to build emotional intelligence, empathy, and confidence. With 108 fun cards featuring scenarios and emotions, it’s perfect for sparking meaningful conversations in a relaxed, interactive way.

9. Peaceable Kingdom Friends and Neighbors

Teaching kindness is easier when it’s fun (moms can attest to this). Friends and Neighbors: The Helping Game lets kids explore emotions and learn how to help others through cooperative play. Designed for ages 3 and up, this game helps children recognize feelings, build empathy, and develop problem-solving skills in a warm, stress-free way.

10. eeBoo: What Do I Do? Conversation Flashcards

Every mom knows the importance of helping kids understand emotions. What Do I Do? flashcards make it easier with beautifully illustrated scenarios that encourage thoughtful conversations about feelings and social interactions. Perfect for kids 3 and up, these cards turn everyday moments into opportunities to build empathy, communication, and confidence.

11. Skillmatics Card Game – Train of Thought, Fun for Family Game Night

Bringing the family together can feel magical. Train of Thought is a fun card game that sparks meaningful conversations with thoughtful questions and playful challenges. Perfect for kids 6 and up, it’s a great way to bond during family game night or on the go.

12. Totem: The Feel Good Game

Sometimes, all it takes is a little encouragement to feel amazing. Totem the Feel Good Game helps kids, teens, and adults uncover their strengths, build self-esteem, and connect with others in a meaningful way. Ideal for family game nights or therapy sessions, this uplifting game fosters empathy, trust, and deeper conversations.

13. Learning Resources Who’s Feeling What?

Helping kids understand their emotions doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Who’s Feeling What? turns learning into a playful and engaging experience, helping your little one recognize feelings and develop social skills through fun matching activities and meaningful conversations.

14. You Know: Social Skills Games and Therapy Games

The best conversations start with the right questions. You Know is a thoughtful game designed to build self-esteem, encourage reflection, and spark meaningful connections for kids, teens, and even adults.

15. Empathy 4″ Exercise & Fitness Thumball

You might be surprised how much a simple game can teach. The Youthlight Empathy Thumball turns a fun game of catch into meaningful conversations about feelings and understanding others. Perfect for busy moms, this lightweight, portable ball is an easy way to encourage empathy and kindness in your little one.

Empathy is one of the most valuable skills we can teach our kids, and these books and games make it easier (and a lot more fun). Whether it’s through playful conversations or heartwarming stories, each of these tools helps nurture understanding, kindness, and connection. So grab a book, start a game, and watch your little ones grow into kind-hearted, emotionally intelligent humans—one thoughtful moment at a time.