Hey teacher!
R U OKAY day is just around the corner, and it's all about checking in with each other and making sure everyone feels heard, supported, and understood.
Whether it’s talking about our feelings, spreading kindness, or learning how to be there for a friend, there are so many ways to get involved.
This year, we’ve lined up a bunch of fun and meaningful activities that’ll help students learn to express their emotions, support one another, and build a sense of community.
Let’s take a look at some of the fantastic activities we’ve got planned to help make R U OKAY day a truly special one!
Explore Free R U OKAY Day Resources for Your Classroom
Teachers, don’t forget to check out the R U OKAY day website!
They’ve got a treasure trove of free resources and information that can help you make the most of this important day.
From lesson plans and activity guides to conversation starters and tips on supporting students, the website is packed with everything you need to foster a supportive and understanding environment in your classroom.
So, take a look and see how you can incorporate these fantastic tools into your R U OKAY day plans and beyond!
Foster Well-being with Our Daily Gratitude Printable
Help your students build resilience and a positive mindset this R U OK?
Day with our Daily Gratitude printable. This simple yet powerful activity encourages students to reflect on the good moments in their day, helping them develop a habit of gratitude that supports their emotional well-being.
It’s an easy way to spark conversations about mental health, showing your students that even small acts of reflection can make a big difference.
Whether you use it as part of your R U OK Day activities or weave it into your daily classroom routine, this resource is a meaningful way to promote well-being.
Feelings Faces Chart
R U OKAY Day is a great oppurunity to teach your students about the importance of feelings. We've got a super fun activity lined up that's all about understanding our emotions!
Activity : Create a large chart with various feeling faces (happy, sad, angry, confused, etc.). Each student gets a small cut-out of a face or a sticky note with their name on it. Throughout the day, students can place their face on the chart to show how they are feeling.
It's a brilliant way for students to not only identify their emotions but also to see that it's totally okay to have different feelings.
Plus, it gives us teachers a chance to check in with those who might need a bit of extra support. Let's make sure everyone knows it's okay to talk about how they feel!"
R U OKAY? Role-Playing
Get ready for a bit of role-playing fun on R U OKAY day! We've got a fantastic activity that'll have students practising the art of checking in with each other.
Activity : In pairs, students take turns being the "asker" and the "receiver." The asker practices asking, "Are you okay?" and the receiver can choose from a set of cards with different scenarios (e.g., feeling sad because a friend is away, nervous about a test, etc.). They then role-play a conversation on how to respond and support each other.
This activity not only helps students learn how to approach someone who might not be feeling their best but also shows them how to communicate their own feelings in a safe and supportive environment. Let's make sure everyone feels heard and cared for!
Kindness Tree
Let's spread some kindness this R U OKAY day with our wonderful Kindness Tree!
Activity : Create a large tree on a bulletin board or wall. Give each student paper leaves on which they can write or draw acts of kindness they've done or received. These leaves are then added to the tree throughout the day or week.
As the day or week goes on, these leaves are added to the tree, showing how even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference. It's a great way to see how our little community can come together to support one another and make everyone feel good!
Feelings Bingo
Activity : Create bingo cards with different emotions written or illustrated in each square (e.g., happy, sad, excited, worried). As a class, read out scenarios, and students mark off how they think the person might feel. For example, "You lost your favourite toy," or "You won a prize at school."
It’s a fun way to connect different situations with emotions and chat about how we all react to events in our lives. Plus, it’s a great way to show that talking about our feelings is completely normal and even more fun when we do it together
Story Time and Discussion
Who doesn’t love a good story time? For R U OKAY day, we’ve got a special twist with books that dive into emotions, kindness, and the importance of checking in with friends.
Activity : Read a book focused on emotions, kindness, or checking in with friends (e.g., "The Feelings Book" by Todd Parr or "How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids" by Tom Rath). After reading, facilitate a discussion on the story's themes, asking questions like "How did the character feel?" and "What could their friends do to help them?"
It’s a fantastic way to help students relate to the characters, making those big ideas about mental health a bit more down-to-earth. Plus, it’s all about boosting empathy and understanding—because we all know how great it feels when someone understands us!
Check out some of our favourite books for R U OKAY Day below
Brighten a Colleague’s Day This R U OK? Day with Our Staff Wellbeing Notes
Let’s not forget the staff this R U OK? Day!
While we’re busy creating meaningful activities for our students, it’s important to also check in on our colleagues.
Our Staff Wellbeing Notes are the perfect way to spread some kindness and brighten a fellow teacher’s day. These printable notes are ideal for leaving a thoughtful message or a little treat, like a coffee or some chocolate.
Print them on colourful card stock for a bit of flair and pop one on a colleague’s desk.
A small act of kindness can go a long way in supporting each other during those busy, sometimes stressful days.
As we wrap up our R U OKAY day activities, let’s remember that these aren’t just one-off exercises but valuable lessons we can carry with us every day.
By encouraging open conversations about feelings, showing kindness, and checking in with each other, we’re building a stronger, more supportive community.
After all, it’s not just about asking 'R U OKAY?' on one day, but making it a habit to care for and support each other all year round.
Let’s keep the conversation going and ensure everyone feels heard, valued, and okay!
PS: Keen on discovering more engaging activities and free resources for your classroom? Join our mailing list to unlock a wealth of inspiring ideas directly in your inbox! Click here to subscribe and embark on an adventure of creativity and learning with your students!
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