Friendship activities for kids

Safety first

A grown-up should stay close and supervise throughout. Scissors are for adults only, so a grown-up cuts the paper strips and postcards beforehand. Use soft items only in the obstacle course, such as cushions, pillows and rolled blankets, and clear away anything hard, sharp or breakable. Check the floor is not slippery and keep the course low. Use washable crayons or markers.

1. Shared mural

Age hint: 4 and up.

Bring: one big sheet of paper or the back of an old poster, tape for the corners, crayons or washable markers.

1. Tape the paper flat on the floor or a table so it cannot slide.
2. Agree on a theme together, such as a garden, a town or the sea.
3. Each child draws on their own side first, then they join the pictures with paths, rivers or rainbows.
4. Add one last detail to your friend's part, but only if they say yes.

Notice: Which part of the mural did you draw together, and which part is your friend's idea?

2. Two-person story

Age hint: 5 and up.

Bring: nothing at all, or paper and a pencil if you want to write it down.

1. Start with one sentence, such as: One morning a small green kite woke up.
2. The next child adds exactly one sentence, then passes the story back.
3. Keep going for about ten turns, then agree on an ending together.
4. If you like, a grown-up writes the story down so you can read it aloud later.

Notice: What happened in the story that neither of you planned?

3. Paper chain of kind words

Age hint: 4 and up.

Bring: strips of coloured paper, glue stick or tape, pencils. A grown-up cuts the strips with scissors.

1. A grown-up cuts the paper into long strips beforehand.
2. On each strip, write or draw one kind thing about your friend, such as a good game they invented.
3. Make a loop with the first strip and fasten it, then thread the next strip through and fasten it too.
4. Swap chains and hang them up where both of you can see them.

Notice: Which kind word on your chain made you smile?

4. Partner obstacle course with soft items

Age hint: 4 and up.

Bring: cushions, pillows, rolled blankets, a soft toy, a clean mat. Use soft things only.

1. A grown-up checks the space and moves anything hard, sharp or breakable out of the way.
2. Build a course together: step over a rolled blanket, crawl round a pillow, walk along a line of cushions.
3. One child walks the course while the other gives clear directions and cheers, then swap roles.

Notice: Which instruction from your friend helped you most?

5. My friend interview

Age hint: 5 and up.

Bring: two chairs, and a spoon or a toy as a pretend microphone.

1. Sit facing each other. One child is the interviewer and the other is the guest.
2. Ask kind, silly questions only, such as: If you could have any animal as a helper, which one would it be? What is the funniest food you can think of?
3. Listen to the whole answer before the next question.
4. Swap places after four or five questions.

Notice: What did you find out about your friend that you did not know before?

6. Drawn postcards

Age hint: 4 and up.

Bring: two pieces of card or thick paper cut to postcard size by a grown-up, crayons, pencils.

1. On the front, draw a small picture for your friend, such as their favourite animal or a place you like to play.
2. On the back, write a short message or ask a grown-up to write what you say.
3. Deliver the postcards to each other, with one child or a grown-up as the postman.
4. Keep the postcards somewhere safe, or send them to a friend who lives far away.

Notice: What did you choose to draw, and why did you think your friend would like it?

A note for grown-ups

Including everyone. If a third child is around, give them a real job: colour chooser, story scribe, postman or course guide. Check that nobody is left standing alone.

Taking turns. Say out loud whose turn it is, and use a simple signal such as holding a spoon or a soft toy. Whoever holds it speaks or plays, then passes it on.

If a game goes wrong. Pause and swap roles. Stop for a moment, take a breath, and let each child try the other's part. If feelings stay big, take a short break and come back later, or pick a different activity.

More to do on Rangooo

Read friendship stories together, try more kindness activities, practise words with talking about feelings activities, make a card with handmade cards for kids, borrow starters from story writing prompts, browse more stories and activities, or see resources for teachers.

Questions

How many children can join these activities?

Every activity works for two children, and most also work for three. The partner obstacle course and the postcards are best in pairs, with a third child as the helper or the postman.

What age are these friendship activities for?

They suit roughly ages four to nine with a grown-up nearby. Younger children can draw and tell their ideas aloud. Age hints are only a guide, so you know your children best.

What if one child does not want to join in?

That is fine. Invite them again, give them a job such as choosing the colours or being the postman, or let them watch for a while. Joining in works best when it is a choice, so try another day if needed.

What should we do if a game goes wrong?

Pause and swap roles. Stop the game for a moment, take a breath, then let each child try the other child's part. If feelings are still big, take a short break with water or a quiet moment and come back when everyone is ready, or choose another activity.