Kimochis are cuddly little plush toys with a special pocket in their tummies. Inside the pocket is a small, removable felt heart. Each heart has a different feeling written on it, such as happy, sad, silly, angry, etc. The idea behind Kimochis is that they help children to identify and express their emotions in a healthy way.
What are Kimochis?
Kimochi characters represent different types of feelings, such as Lovey for love/friendship, Tough Guy for anger/frustration, Sunshine for happiness/joy, and Cloudy for sadness/worry. These characters can be used to act out scenes or stories related to the feeling they represent, which can further help children to identify and express their emotions.
Kimochis can be used in a variety of different ways, depending on the child’s needs and interests. Some children may enjoy playing simple games, such as matching feeling hearts to characters or making up stories about what the characters are feeling.
Others may prefer simply holding and cuddling the Kimochis for comfort during times of stress or sadness. Ultimately, using Kimochis is a great way for children to learn more about themselves and others, while also developing important emotional skills like self-awareness and empathy.
If you’re looking for a fun and interactive way to help your child explore their emotions, we highly recommend trying out Kimochis!
Many parents find navigating their child’s ever-changing moods and feelings can be an emotional roller coaster for the entire family! One minute all is well and the next minute, a complete meltdown in the middle of the grocery store aisle has occurred! Yes, you’ve probably been there, and you are not alone! To help with such moments, and all of the moments in between, are Kimochis™… toys with feelings inside. Introducing Cloud, Bug, Cat, Lovey Dove, and Huggtopus! These 5 adorable plush characters teach young children how to safely explore their feelings, and help foster parent-child communication. Developed by Nina Rappaport Rowan, a mom-preneur who was struck with the horrible Columbine High School Incident, Kimochis™ were created to encourage a strong sense of self as little ones learn to express themselves in a positive way.
Kimochi (KEY.MO.CHEE) means “feeling” in Japanese, and each unique character arrives with 3 child-safe “feelings” – Happy, Cranky, and Curious, and a Feel Guide, complete with tips for parents and caregivers on how to connect with their tot during emotional moments.
In addition, 2 Mixed Feelings packs are available to encourage more discussions, and within each pack is a blank “feeling” for your child to write her own feeling. Each Kimochis™ character costs $25, and the Mixed Feelings Packs are $12. Ages 3 and up. Pick out your Kimochi™ online at www.kimochis.com.
Kimochis Feeling Pack
The following feelings are associated with different Kimochis:
- Happy: Sunshine, Silly, Excited
- Sad: Cloudy, Worried
- Angry: Tough Guy, Frustrated
- Love/Friendship: Lovey, Caring
Other feelings that may be associated with Kimochis include Confident, Nervous, Proud, Jealous, Embarrassed, Grateful, and Hopeful. Each heart in the Kimochi characters’ tummies can also represent a variety of different emotions depending on the situation or context.
For example, if your child is feeling angry because they had a disagreement with a friend but is then able to resolve the conflict successfully with help from their parents or teachers, they might feel relieved afterwards – which could be represented by either Tough Guy or Cloudy turning into Sunshine.
In addition to the feeling hearts, each Kimochi character also comes with a little booklet that includes information on the different feelings represented by the character, as well as some tips and ideas for parents and caregivers on how to use Kimochis to help children explore their emotions.