Movies, feelings, and crafts for growing hearts.
Service Description
Friday Night Feelings is a signature Grounded Stars program that blends the comfort of family movie night with the power of social-emotional learning (SEL). Created for youth ages 8–12, this weekly virtual gathering creates a safe space for children to explore their emotions, practice reflection, and connect with peers through engaging stories and creative activities. Each Friday, families come together to watch a carefully selected film that highlights themes relevant to children’s real-life experiences — such as identity, friendship, belonging, resilience, courage, or forgiveness. Instead of focusing solely on the entertainment value, we use the movie as a springboard for meaningful conversation. Through guided discussions, youth learn to recognize emotional challenges in the characters’ journeys, make connections to their own lives, and consider strategies for navigating tough feelings. This helps normalize difficult emotions while giving kids practical tools for self-awareness and emotional regulation. After the movie, participants are invited into reflection. We explore questions like: “How would you feel in this situation?” “What choices did the character make?” and “What would you do differently?” These conversations encourage empathy, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of healthy relationships. Caregivers are encouraged to join in, reinforcing the idea that SEL is most effective when practiced at home as well as in group settings. To reinforce the themes, every Friday Night Feelings session includes an art-based activity. Crafts are designed to be affordable, simple, and meaningful, so families can easily participate with basic materials at home. Whether it’s building “dream lanterns,” designing “power patches,” or making picture frames for family photos, these creative projects give youth a hands-on way to express their emotions and ideas. Art becomes a bridge between conversation and action, helping kids internalize the lessons they’ve explored in the film. What makes Friday Night Feelings unique is its balance of fun and emotional depth. The program is structured to feel lighthearted and engaging, while still addressing important social-emotional skills like self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship-building, and responsible decision-making. By using familiar stories from popular movies, children feel connected and excited. Join us!
Upcoming Sessions
Cancellation Policy
Welcome to Grounded Stars! Participant Group Rules — Please Read Carefully There are no refunds. Please reach out if you need to reschedule your missed class. We're happy to help. Our group spaces are designed to be safe, supportive, and protected spaces for youth and young adults. To keep it that way, everyone must follow these important rules while participating in any class, workshop, or group session. Camera Rules Cameras must stay ON during the entire session so we can protect the group and make sure everyone is really who they say they are. If you need to step away, you must tell the facilitator in chat or on camera before leaving. You can only be away for up to 10 minutes. If your camera is off and you ignore two reminders from the facilitator, you will be removed from the session for safety reasons. Respect and Behavior Rules Always show respect to other participants and facilitators. No bullying, harassment, or disrespectful language. No foul language, slurs, or hateful speech — this is a safe zone for everyone. Be open-minded and supportive of others, no matter their background or life experiences. Privacy and Safety Rules No sharing your contact information (phone numbers, social media, email, addresses) in the group or after the group. Do not ask for or pressure anyone else to share their personal information. You must be alone on camera, with no friends or family joining your screen unless it’s a family program. They can sit beside you. You must join from a quiet, safe space with no background distractions like loud TV, phone calls, or music. Dress Code You must be FULLY dressed in public-appropriate clothing during all sessions. Time and Attendance Be on time! The session will start on time, and anyone joining late may not be allowed in. Frequent lateness, disruptive behavior, or ignoring these rules will lead to removal from the group and may impact your ability to join future programs. By joining our group, you agree to follow these rules. Repeated or serious violations will result in being removed from the group, and we will notify your guardian or case manager if needed. We want this space to feel good for everyone — let’s keep it safe, focused, and supportive!
Contact Details
9142944639
kierra@groundedstars.com
535 Fifth Avenue 4th floor, New York, NY, USA