Does Smiling Make You Happier? What Parents Should Know

Smiling can influence feelings of happiness in some situations. It does not follow that asking a child to smile will resolve worry or create lasting happiness. The research is more limited than that.

For parents, the useful question is what your child needs in the moment. A shared joke might be welcome after a tiring day. After being excluded by friends, they may first need someone to listen and help.

What the research actually found

In a 2022 study, the Many Smiles Collaboration collected data from 3,878 participants across 19 countries. Two tasks involving copying a smile or deliberately moving facial muscles produced changes in reported happiness. Results were less conclusive for a different task involving holding a pen in the mouth.

This is called facial feedback: expressions may influence feelings as well as reflect them. The study does not establish that asking children to smile treats anxiety or produces lasting improvements in wellbeing.

Why a smile is only part of the picture

A smile does not tell you everything about a child's experience. They may smile during a polite greeting, feel awkward posing for a photo or laugh while still feeling disappointed about something else.

Instead of deciding how they feel from their face, ask. "How was that for you?" gives them more room than "You were smiling, so you must have enjoyed it."

What to say instead of asking for a smile

Imagine a child sitting apart after losing a game. Before trying to cheer them up, check what they want.

You could say, "That was disappointing. Would you like company, or a little space?" If they want to talk, ask what bothered them most. It might be losing, an argument about the rules or something someone said.

Later, offer, “Would something silly help, or would you rather do something quiet?” Our resilience guide has more ways to support disappointment.

Three ways to make room for enjoyment

Share an activity with no performance target

Draw a strange animal, invent a story ending or play a game your child chooses. Enjoy the shared time without watching for a smile as proof that it worked.

Invite humour without making your child the joke

Offer an intentionally ridiculous idea: "What would a sandwich shop for dragons sell?" Let your child decide whether to join in.

Avoid teasing about the thing that upset them. A joke about a missed goal may feel very different to the child who missed it than to the adult trying to lighten the mood.

Notice what your child actually enjoys

Ask after an outing, "Which part would you do again?" Their answer may surprise you. The best moment might have been choosing a library book or looking at a dog, rather than the activity you planned.

Use their answer when planning time together. Our guide to supporting a child’s happiness offers more everyday ideas.

What if my child rarely seems happy?

Look beyond how often they smile. Consider whether they are enjoying their usual interests, connecting with people they like and managing everyday activities.

Speak with a qualified health professional about persistent low mood, loss of interest or a marked change in behaviour. The NHS guidance for parents explains when to seek support. A child needs to feel heard whether or not they are smiling.