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Laughs and creativity · Ages 3 to 8

Silly face games for kids: 10 giggle games that build feelings, language and imagination

By the Dandelion’s World team · Updated · 2 min read

Quick answer

Silly face games, like copying faces in a mirror, guessing feelings from expressions and acting out animals, are a quick way to get young children laughing. They also build skills: naming feelings, reading other people's faces, taking turns and telling little stories. A kids camera with face filters can add props like ears, hats and masks.

A silly face is the fastest way to turn a grumpy afternoon around. Better still, face games are quiet practice for skills children need: noticing how people feel, finding words for it, taking turns and making up stories.

What do silly face games teach?

Game Skill it builds
Mirror faces Noticing and copying expressions
Feelings charades Naming emotions, reading faces
Copycat Watching closely, taking turns
Animal faces Pretend play, sounds and words
Photo stories Sequencing and storytelling

Which face games need nothing at all?

  1. Mirror, mirror. Sit in front of a mirror together. You make a face; your child copies it. Then swap.
  2. Feelings charades. Make a happy, sad, surprised or grumpy face and let your child guess. Then they make one for you.
  3. Face freeze. Dance to music. When it stops, everyone freezes in a silly face.
  4. Animal faces. Be a lion (big roar), a bunny (twitchy nose), a fish (puffy cheeks). Can your child guess your animal?
  5. Don't laugh. Take turns making silly faces while the other tries not to laugh. Nobody ever wins.
  6. Face story. Tell a story where each character has a face: the grumpy troll, the surprised bird. Your child makes the faces as you tell it.

How can a camera add to the fun?

A camera with face filters gives children props they can't make at home: floppy ears, a glass astronaut helmet, a lion's mane that roars when they open their mouth.

  1. Filter dress-up. Try three filters and ask which one your child would be at a party.
  2. Say it, show it. Some filters react to your face. In SillyCam, opening your mouth makes a rainbow ribbon shoot out or a rocket blast off. Can your child make it happen on purpose?
  3. Animal sounds. With an animal mask on, what sound does that animal make? Record a short video.
  4. Photo stories. Take three silly photos, line them up in your Gallery, and ask your child to tell the story that connects them.

How do I keep camera play healthy?

  • Play together. Face games are more fun with a partner, and you'll see what your child is doing.
  • Keep it short. A few minutes of giggles, then put the phone down and try a mirror game.
  • Pick a private app. Look for no ads, no account, no sharing, and photos saved only on your device. Our guide to choosing a safe camera app for kids has a checklist.

Try it tonight

  1. Stand in front of a mirror with your child.
  2. Make a surprised face and ask "How am I feeling?"
  3. Let your child make a face for you to guess.
  4. End with the silliest face either of you can make.

Questions parents ask

Why do kids love making silly faces?

Silly faces get an instant reaction, usually a laugh, and children love that power. Faces are also one of the first things babies study, so playing with them comes naturally.

Do face games help children understand feelings?

Naming the feeling behind a face, like 'that looks like a surprised face!', gives children words for emotions. Guessing games where they read your expression practice noticing how others feel.

Are face filter apps okay for preschoolers?

They can be, with the right app and a grown-up nearby. Choose one with no ads, no account and no sharing, and that keeps photos on the device.

How can I turn silly faces into a storytelling game?

Take a few silly photos, then line them up and ask your child to tell what happened next. Why is the lion surprised? Where is the astronaut going?