Red
Memory Detective
Anı DedektifiThe child recalls and tells a memory of their own. A feeling stops being an abstract idea and becomes a scene from their own life.
An emotional literacy game created by psychologists
Follow the trail of feelings.
Duygu Dedektifi (Emotion Detective) is an emotional literacy board game that helps children recognise, understand and talk about their feelings through play. It is designed to be played with an adult — at home, in class or in session.
Created by Psychologist Gözde Alper and Clinical Psychologist Sinem Çelenk. The game and its cards are in Turkish.
Hey you, Emotion Detective! Are you ready?
This box isn't full of ordinary cards — it's full of secret clues for tracking down feelings!
AGES 3-6
Preschool box. Short questions, simple language, an Emotion Wheel with six core feelings.
AGES 7+
The ages 7 and up box. Layered scenarios and an Emotion Wheel with fourteen feelings.
In the box
Everything a detective needs.
No setup needed. Open the box and roll the die — the rest depends on the colour of the card you draw.
Emotion Wheel
A wheel on a wooden stand. It comes to the rescue when a child struggles to name a feeling.
Six detective decks
Each colour is its own area of work: memory, coping, regulation, problem solving, play and recognising emotions.
Colour die
The game starts with a roll. Each face of the die stands for a card category.
Detective badges
Players earn a badge for completing tasks that call for more reflection or expression.
Ages 3-6 box
Six core feelings on the wheel
Happiness
Anger
Sadness
Surprise
Fear / Anxiety
Disgust
Ages 7+ box
Fourteen feelings on the wheel
Happiness
Sadness
Fear
Anger
Surprise
Disgust
Disappointment
Shame
Pride
Excitement
Jealousy
Curiosity
Worry
Calm
Six decks
The colour of the card tells you the task.
Duygu Dedektifi is not a pile of random questions. Each deck matches a separate area of work, so the adult at the table can also play with a single colour to suit the day's goal.
Blue
Coping Detective
Başa Çıkma DedektifiWhat do I do when a feeling arrives, what does my body feel, who can I ask for help? Concrete, practical ways of coping are discussed.
Purple
Regulation Detective
Regülasyon DedektifiBreathing, imagination and relaxation exercises. The deck that slows the game down — useful after an intense moment of sharing.
Yellow
Problem Solving Detective
Problem Çözme DedektifiA real-life situation is described and the child comes up with their own solution. There is no single right answer; the aim is to generate options.
Orange
Play Detective
Oyun DedektifiRole play, imitation and acting out. A feeling is expressed with the face, voice and body before it is put into words.
Green
Emotion Recognition Detective
Duygu Tanıma DedektifiGuess, compare, draw. Feelings are given a colour, a sound and a shape, and players learn to read each other's expressions.
Step by step
How to play
Play one-to-one or in a group. In groups, players take turns drawing cards.
Roll the die
The game begins with a roll. Each colour on the die stands for a card category.
Draw a card
Take the top card from the deck matching the colour you rolled and read the instruction.
Answer or act
Answer the question or carry out the task. If the card says “Spin the Wheel”, spin the Emotion Wheel first.
Earn a badge
Players who complete tasks that call for more reflection or expression earn a “Detective Badge”.
This is not a competition.
The aim is to learn, to feel and to explore together. If you like, the player with the most badges can be named “Detective of the Day”. Some cards include drawing tasks, so keep paper and a pen or a whiteboard nearby.
Adult guide
What is your role at the table?
The guide inside the box was written not for running the game but for accompanying the child. In summary:
01
Don't push
Every child talks at their own pace and doesn't have to answer every question. Sometimes staying quiet is a form of expression too.
02
Make room, don't analyse
Instead of analytical questions like “Why do you feel that way?”, use supportive phrases like “You can share if you want to.”
03
Don't correct answers
This is not a right-or-wrong game. Remind yourself and the child of that.
04
Share your own examples
Sentences like “Sometimes when I'm scared I feel like running away too” help the child open up.
05
Pause when it's hard
You can stop the game if a child is struggling. Choose a quiet place without distractions.
06
Cards are tools
The goal is to build a deeper connection with the child, to understand them and to make room for them to express themselves.
“This discovery is a journey, not a race.” Duygu Dedektifi guide — a note for adults
Who it is for
For everyone who walks alongside a child.
Parents
To get beyond one-word answers to “How was your day?”
- A short session after dinner is enough
- Siblings can play together
- Listening without correcting is key
Teachers
For emotional literacy and guidance work in the classroom.
- Works for group activities and circle time
- Use a single deck in guidance lessons
- Ages 3-6 box for nursery and kindergarten
Professionals
For psychologists, educators and play therapists.
- A tool for opening sessions and building rapport
- Choose the deck to match your goal
- A working material, not an assessment tool
Digital version
Detective Emo is on Google Play.
For days when the box can't come along: the same colour system, the same Emotion Wheel, the same approach. The Android version is on Google Play as Detective Emo; the iOS version is coming soon to the App Store.
Same content as the box
The questions in the digital version are the same as the cards in the box. Besides Turkish, the app is being prepared in eleven languages, including English.
No ads, child-safe
No ads, no cookies, no accounts. The profile name and age group in the game stay on your device and are never sent to our server. Privacy
Age groups kept apart
Ages 3-6 and 7+ content is separated at system level; a card from one age group never appears in the other.
Start for free
The app is free to install and part of it can be played at no cost. The full version is unlocked inside the app.
Detective Emo app
Scan the QR code with your phone’s camera or tap the button. The app is published by Thinkiplay.
Get it on Google Play
App Store (iOS) · Coming soon
FAQ
Questions before you buy
Which box should I choose?
The ages 3-6 box is written for children who cannot read yet: questions are short, the language is simple and the Emotion Wheel has six core feelings. In the ages 7+ box the questions are longer and the scenarios more layered; the wheel has fourteen feelings, including pride, jealousy, disappointment and curiosity. The boxes are sold separately and their contents do not replace each other. The ages 7+ box is currently sold out.
Can I order from outside Türkiye?
Not at the moment. Boxes are shipped within Türkiye only, and the game and its cards are in Turkish. To order, fill in the order form (in Turkish); you will then receive the bank details and the amount for the box by email, and payment is by bank transfer. Boxes ship with Yurtiçi Kargo; the shipping fee (200 TL) is paid on delivery. Questions: siparis@duygudedektifi.com.
How many people can play?
The game can be played one-to-one or in a group. In groups, players take turns drawing cards. In every case an adult should be at the table.
What if my child doesn't want to answer?
That's the guide's first rule: don't push. Every child talks at their own pace and doesn't have to answer every question. Sometimes staying quiet is a form of expression too. You can put the card down and move on to the next one.
Who created the cards?
The game was created by Psychologist Gözde Alper and Clinical Psychologist Sinem Çelenk.
Is the Emotion Wheel used with every card?
No. The wheel is used with cards marked “Spin the Wheel”. But on other cards, too, if you find it hard to name or express a feeling you can turn to the wheel — and point to the feeling you can't put a name to.
Can it be used in classrooms and institutions?
Yes. The game suits circle time, guidance lessons and group work. For school, nursery and institutional orders, choose the company invoice option on the order form or write to siparis@duygudedektifi.com.
Is Duygu Dedektifi an assessment or diagnostic tool?
No. Duygu Dedektifi is not a measurement, assessment or diagnostic tool. It is play material that supports emotional literacy; in the guide's own words, the cards are “tools for building a deeper connection with the child, understanding them and making room for them to express themselves”.
Where can I get the digital version?
The Android app is available on Google Play as Detective Emo. The iOS version is in preparation; its release will be announced on this page and on our Instagram account.
Does buying the box include the digital version?
No. The board game and the digital app are two independent products. The app is free to install, part of it can be played for free and the full version is purchased inside the app. Owning the box does not give any extra rights in the app.
Buy
Pick your box and start exploring tonight.
Orders are placed through the order form on this site (in Turkish). Payment is by bank transfer; boxes ship within Türkiye only.
AGES 3-6
Preschool
Short questions, simple language, an Emotion Wheel with six core feelings. Designed with non-readers in mind.
1,900 TRYVAT included · shipping paid on delivery (200 TL)
Order (form in Turkish)
SOLD OUT
AGES 7+
Ages 7 and up
Layered scenarios and an Emotion Wheel with fourteen feelings, including pride, jealousy and disappointment.
Currently unavailableQuestions? Write to siparis@duygudedektifi.com or message us on Instagram at @duygudedektifioyunu.