Emoji check-in

Step 1: Set the Check-In Prompt

• Start the meeting or session by asking participants to describe how they’re feeling using just one emoji.
• Example prompts:
  • “Drop an emoji in the chat that describes your mood today!”
  • “If your week was an emoji, what would it be?”
  • “Choose an emoji that represents your energy level right now.”

Step 2: Encourage Participation

• Give participants 10-15 seconds to post their emoji response.
• If in person, participants can draw, act out their emoji or use prepared emoji cards instead!

Step 3: Optional Sharing & Discussion

• Ask a few volunteers to briefly explain their emoji choice (only if they feel comfortable).
• If someone shares a particularly interesting or unexpected emoji, invite a light discussion.
• In this case, it can be nice to invite other participants to continue sending emojis in response. 
• Example: “I see a lot of 🚀—looks like some of you are ready to go! But also a few 😴—anyone need an extra coffee?”

Step 4: Acknowledge & Reflect

• Recognize the range of emotions in the group without judgment.
• Offer support if needed (e.g., “If you’re feeling stressed today 😓, let’s find ways to make things easier!”).
• If desired, follow up with a collective mood booster, such as:
  • A quick stretch
  • A positive affirmation
  • A chat waterfall for the emoji we would like to feel by the end of the session. 

Step 5: Wrap-Up & Transition

• Thank everyone for participating and use the insights to set the tone for the meeting.
• Example:
• “Looks like we have a mix of 😃 and 🤯 today—let’s support each other as we dive into our agenda!”
• “A lot of 🎉—great energy! Let’s keep that momentum going.”

Variations for Emoji Check-in

• Emoji check-in can be used mid-session to see how people are feeling on a particular subject or to gauge their energy levels. 
• For smaller groups, it can be fun to ask them to create an emoji story, using a sequence of emojis to shape a small narrative for how they're feeling or for something that happened. For example, you might say: "Use three emojis to share something that happened to you this weekend."
• In this variation, you can ask other group members to try and interpret the emoji story before inviting the creator to say what really happened.