We believe learning about mental health should be fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate—especially for children. One exciting way to introduce key mental health concepts is through interactive games like Mental Health Jeopardy. This classic game show format, modified with kid-friendly categories and questions, can help children explore emotions, coping strategies, and wellness habits in a supportive, interactive environment. At The Kids Point, we support using creative tools that make important life skills approachable for young learners. In this guide, we’ll share creative ideas and game-building tips to help parents, teachers, counselors, and therapists use Jeopardy-style games to teach mental health concepts in classrooms, therapy sessions, or home settings.
Why Use Jeopardy to Teach Kids About Mental Health?
Jeopardy is more than a game—it’s a powerful educational tool. The structured format, quick turns, and friendly competition can:
- Reinforce learning through repetition and recall
- Promote discussion and reflection on important topics
- Reduce stigma by normalizing conversations about emotions and mental health
- Make learning fun and engaging, especially for younger audiences
When it comes to mental health education, kids may feel nervous or unsure about opening up. Jeopardy-style games create a safe, playful space where learning can happen organically through dialogue and team-based play.
Tips for Hosting a Mental Health Jeopardy Game
Before we dive into specific game ideas, here are a few essential tips to keep your game fun, educational, and appropriate for kids of all ages:
Know Your Audience: Consider your players’ ages, maturity levels, and existing knowledge about mental health. A Jeopardy game for 2nd graders will differ significantly from one designed for 5th or 6th graders.
Keep Language Simple: Use clear, age-appropriate language. Avoid overly clinical terms unless you define them clearly in your game.
Encourage Teamwork: Allow kids to play in pairs or teams to build collaboration and reduce pressure on individual players.
Focus on Growth and Exploration: Celebrate correct answers, but also emphasize learning, participation, and the value of making mistakes.
Include Visuals and Movement: If possible, incorporate visuals or movement-based categories (like charades or acting out emotions) to keep the energy high and engage different learning styles.
Core Categories for Mental Health Jeopardy
You can mix and match categories depending on your goals. Here are some foundational and creative category ideas tailored for kids:
Feelings 101
Questions that help kids identify and express basic emotions.
Sample Questions:
- This feeling makes you want to smile when something good happens.
Answer: What is happiness? - You might feel this when you’re scared about the dark.
Answer: What is fear? - This feeling happens when someone takes your toy without asking.
Answer: What is anger?
Coping Skills
Teach kids how to manage stress, anger, or sadness in healthy ways.
Sample Questions:
- This is a way to calm down when you’re upset: taking deep ______.
Answer: What is breaths? - When you’re mad, you can count to this number to help cool off.
Answer: What is ten? - This physical activity helps release stress and is fun to do outside.
Answer: What is exercise or playing?
Mindfulness Magic
Introduce kids to the concepts of being present, breathing, and noticing their surroundings.
Sample Questions:
- This is when you focus on your breathing and let your thoughts float by.
Answer: What is mindfulness or meditation? - When you’re mindful, you’re paying attention to this moment: the ______.
Answer: What is present? - This quiet activity helps you feel calm and focused, like drawing or coloring.
Answer: What is a calming activity?
Healthy Habits
Encourage routines that promote emotional and physical wellness.
Sample Questions:
- You need this every night to feel rested and happy during the day.
Answer: What is sleep? - Drinking this clear liquid helps your body and brain work better.
Answer: What is water? - You should brush these twice a day to stay healthy.
Answer: What are your teeth?
Kindness Counts
Teach empathy, social skills, and emotional intelligence.
Sample Questions:
- This word means showing you care about someone else’s feelings.
Answer: What is empathy? - If a friend is sad, this is something kind you can say.
Answer: What is “I’m here for you” or “Are you okay?” - When you help someone pick up their books, you’re being this.
Answer: What is helpful or kind?
True or False
Include a mix of fact-checking and myth-busting mental health statements.
Sample Prompts:
- True or False: It’s okay to cry when you feel sad.
Answer: True - True or False: Only adults have stress.
Answer: False - True or False: Talking about your feelings is weak.
Answer: False
Emotion Charades
A movement-based category where players act out a feeling and teammates guess.
Examples:
- Act out “excited”
- Act out “nervous”
- Act out “confused”
This category encourages body awareness, empathy, and group engagement.
Game Setup: How to Build Your Mental Health Jeopardy Board
There are many ways to set up your game depending on your time and resources:
Option 1: Digital Jeopardy Boards
Use tools like:
- JeopardyLabs
- PowerPoint or Google Slides templates
- Kahoot or Quizizz for interactive digital play
Option 2: DIY Poster Board
Make a tactile experience using:
- A large poster or bulletin board
- Envelopes or flaps with question cards
- Sticky notes with point values (100–500)
Kids will enjoy “choosing a square” and flipping to reveal their question.
Option 3: Classroom Whiteboard
Create a quick game grid with markers and erase as you go. Have a designated scorekeeper and a rotating host.
When to Use Mental Health Jeopardy
This game is flexible and can be used in many settings:
- School classrooms (during SEL or guidance lessons)
- Therapy or counseling groups
- After-school programs
- Home settings with family
- Community mental health events
- Camps or summer enrichment programs
It’s especially helpful during Mental Health Awareness Month, Kindness Week, or as part of a broader Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum.
Mental Health Jeopardy games offer an exciting and impactful way to help children learn about emotional wellness, coping strategies, and healthy habits—all while having fun. Whether you’re a teacher, therapist, parent, or youth program leader, this adaptable format can meet your needs and create meaningful, stigma-free conversations about mental health.
At The Kids Point, we’re passionate about equipping children with tools that promote lifelong emotional wellness in ways that are fun, memorable, and age-appropriate. So go ahead—set the stage, cue the theme music, and get ready for a round of Mental Health Jeopardy that could help change lives, one answer at a time.