The sidekick every child needs for a thriving mind
With proven psychological techniques that teach powerful alternative ways to cope. The things that should be taught to children early to help prevent problems later on.
Your Child’s Journey to Emotional Strength
Multiple 5-step journeys that children can follow to spark conversations and support learning.
1. HERO card
Pick your hero – someone like you or totally different! Choose who’s going on the adventure.
2. story card
Choose a story that tackles real-life challenges like loss, jealousy and fear.
3. emotion card
Spot what your hero might be feeling now – notice thoughts, feelings, and body sensations.
4. power stealer card
Uncover the tricky habits that drain our energy like worrying, perfectionism or avoiding.
5. superpower cards
Activate powerful coping tools for mind and body. Simple, science-based strategies for emotional strength.
We all want our children to have good mental health
But many of us were never taught emotional coping skills ourselves. It can be hard to know what to say or how to start the conversation with our child. In the absence of healthier ways to cope, kids often do what many of us do. Avoid, worry, distract themselves, shut down, try to please or be perfect, or get angry - even though these reactions rarely help in the long term. So how do we teach our children a better way?
Hero Cards® makes it easy.
Superpowers That Stick
The front of each Superpower card tells you what the technique is and why it’s so valuable to learn. On the back, you’ll find the how - easy to follow instructions that adapt the technique to make it fun and imaginative.
Children learn best by doing - kinesthetic learning - and Hero Cards are designed around this.
Who are Hero Cards for?
Hero Cards® are suitable for all children aged 8 - 12 years + but you can introduce the stories and emotion cards to children as young as 6 years old.
Every child develops emotional awareness at their own pace. What works well for one child at a particular age may not be right for another. If your child isn’t ready for a certain step in Hero Cards yet, you can simply return to it later on.
In every pack
You'll find 49 illustrated cards, a fold-out guide for grown-ups with step-by-step support and a simple kids' Instruction Card for independent use.
There's a progress map with stickers and a Hero Backpack Card to record favourite Superpowers.
You'll also get access to audio versions of the stories and some Superpowers read by actors, short explainer videos for parents and teachers, printable practice sheets and a motivational Power Poster.
designed for you
Hero Cards work with your family, classroom or service - you can use them in just 5 minute bursts or over a longer period of time. Children can use them on their own or with friends, siblings or grown-ups to help them. Just follow the prompts on each card to learn and explore together.
No psychological training needed!
Why It works
This is different. Here's why.
Based on psychology
Utilises Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other approaches adapted for children that teach skills for life.
learning what doesn't work
Power Stealers cards help children spot coping traps without shame - like worry, people-pleasing or avoiding.
Builds empathy and emotional safety
Hero-led stories let children explore a hero’s emotions first before their own, alongside learning how others might feel differently.
Tested with experts & families
Developed with experts and tested with teachers, professionals, parents and children.
Real tools for real life
49 cards that kids can come back to and use whenever they need them.
NO EXPERTISE NEEDED
Fully guided and child-led. Just pick a card, follow the colours and begin.
Children learn to better understand and name their thoughts and emotions, and recognise how these feelings can show up in their body. They discover common Power Stealers - like worry, avoiding things, perfectionism or people-pleasing - and explore how to create more balanced and helpful thoughts that support their self-esteem and emotional strength.
Along the way, kids build practical skills to calm their body and navigate challenges such as anxiety, worry, bullying and low mood - helping them become more resilient and confident.