The Colour Monster: questions to ask and activities to try
The Colour Monster wakes up with his feelings all mixed up, and a little girl helps him sort them out, one colour at a time. It's one of the simplest ways to give children words for how they feel.
What age is it for? The Colour Monster is best for ages 3–6. Good for: Naming feelings.
The colours give children a way to name a feeling without having to explain it. After reading, ask which colour they feel like today, and use the colours again at calm times, not only when feelings are big.
What it helps with
- Naming feelings: happy, sad, angry, scared and calm
- Noticing that feelings can be mixed up
- A shared language for feelings at home
- Talking about what helps with each feeling
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Which colour do you feel like today?”
- “What makes you feel yellow and happy?”
- “What does red, angry, feel like in your body?”
- “What helps when you feel black and scared?”
- “Can you feel two colours at once?”
- “What helped the monster when his feelings were all mixed up?”
5-minute activities to try together
Feelings jars
Put out five cups or jars, one for each colour in the book. At the end of the day, your child drops a coloured scrap of paper into the jar that matches how the day felt.
Colour check-in
At dinner or bedtime, everyone says a colour for their day and one thing that made it that colour. Grown-ups go too.
Free printables: The Colour Monster worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
The Rabbit Listened (Cori Doerrfeld)
- Best for
- Sitting with difficult feelings
- Age
- 4-8
The Huge Bag of Worries (Virginia Ironside)
- Best for
- Talking about worries
- Age
- 5-8
Hands Are Not for Hitting (Martine Agassi)
- Best for
- Talking about safer hands during conflict
- Age
- 4-8
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 1 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.