Rainbow Review: Winston’s Wish activity for bereaved children

May 2025

A child who is grieving may not be experiencing emotions in the same way as a child who isn’t grieving. Simply asking your child how their day has been may not be the best way to find out how they are feeling. Turning your question into a fun activity to do together can give you more of an insight into how they are feeling and also help them to reflect on their emotions. 

This Rainbow Review activity, from our friends at Winston’s Wish, uses the associations of sun, rain and a rainbow to help you ask your child about the good and challenging moments of their day or week. 

This activity, which is suitable for primary-aged children, can be repeated every day or once a week for as long as you like. It can be a useful way for you to regularly check in with your child and for them to reflect on how they feel. 

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You will need:

• A sheet of paper

• A pencil to create the grid 

• A ruler 

• Coloured pencils or pens to draw with

How to make a Rainbow Review

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Take the sheet of paper and divide it into six sections using a pencil and ruler (or a steady hand!)

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With the paper in portrait orientation, ask your child to draw a sun, rain cloud and rainbow in each of the three boxes on the left side.

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In the boxes opposite those drawings (on the right), you can ask the questions below and your child or you can write in their answers.

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Questions to ask your child

Ask your child how their day or week has been using the associations of sun, rain and a rainbow to determine their good, bad and brilliant moments:

What was your sunny moment?

This is something your child enjoyed. It could be a happy moment, an achievement or a time when they felt relaxed.

What was your rainy moment?

This is something that was a challenge or disappointment. It could be a moment where something didn’t go quite as planned, or when they felt sad or uncomfortable about something.

What was your rainbow moment?

This is something that was surprising or unexpectedly brilliant. This could be something they did that they thought was their highlight, or something they found out that they’re now looking forward to. 

 

You may find that using the same associations of the sun, rain cloud and rainbow becomes repetitive. You could use something else, like emoji faces, colours, animals… Get creative and ask your child to think of their own ideas too!

Where to get support

Winston’s Wish is a charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults (up to the age of 25) find their feet when their worlds are turned upside down by grief.

If you are an adult supporting a bereaved child or young person who is struggling with their grief, you can call Winston’s Wish on 08088 020 021, email ask@winstonswish.org or use the live chat on their website winstonswish.org (all available 8am-8pm, weekdays). They will be able to offer guidance, information and support. 

For out of hours mental health support, text WW to 85258 to speak with someone from Winston’s Wish’s trusted partner, Shout. For urgent support in a crisis, please call 999.