As a continuation of the previous article, this practical tipsheet offers simple, hands-on ways for children of all ages to practice friendship skills at home. These activities are especially helpful for kids who struggle with social cues, emotional regulation, or confidence. As a grandparent or relative caregiver, you can create safe, low-pressure moments that build skills over time.
Practice Simple Social Skills Through Role-Playing
Role-playing is one of the best ways to teach social confidence. It lets kids “try out” behaviors before using them with friends.
Role-Play Ideas
1. Saying Hello or Joining a Group
Take turns pretending to walk up to a group of other kids. Practice statements like:
- “Hi, can I play?”
- “What are you guys doing?”
- “Can I help?”
Keep it short and light. Praise any effort your grandchild makes to put themselves in this pretend situation.
2. Starting a Conversation
Practice small talk. This helps children who freeze up when they’re unsure what to say.
- “I like your shoes.”
- “Did you see the game last night?”
- “What’s your favorite snack?”
3. Handling Conflict or Hurt Feelings
Try memorizing simple scripts like these for challenging moments when they have big feelings!
- “I didn’t like that. Can we do something different?”
- “I feel sad when I get left out.”
- “Can we take turns?”
You can act out a situation, then let the child try responding in their own words.
4. Practicing Boundaries
Many children — especially those with trauma histories — struggle to say “no.”
Practice statements like:
- “No, thank you.”
- “I don’t like that.”
- “I don’t want to play that game.”
These are small but essential skills that lead to healthier friendships.
Use Games to Teach Cooperation & Turn-Taking
Games make learning fun and take the weight off high-pressure situations. They also teach patience, teamwork, and how to lose gracefully.
1. Cooperative Games
Choose games where everyone works toward the same goal:
- Puzzles
- Building a tower together (try to build the tallest tower without it falling)
- Follow the Leader
- Scavenger hunt where you complete tasks as a team
During these activities, model phrases like:
- “Let’s try this together.”
- “Your idea matters, too.”
- “We can fix this as a team.”
2. Turn-Taking Games
These games help children learn patience, fairness, and good sportsmanship. Keep the focus on fun — not winning. Praise children when they wait their turn or handle frustration well.
- Uno or simple card games
- Dominoes
- Board games with short rounds (Connect 4, Trouble, Candy Land)
- Hot Potato
- Ball rolling games (“Roll to someone and say their name”)
Use Storytelling to Teach Friendship Lessons
Children connect deeply through stories. You can use picture books, movies, short videos, tribal legends and tales, or even family stories.
Tell a story about a time you made a friend.
- Explain what you were nervous about and how you handled it.
- Talk through characters in books or videos.
Ask questions to build emotional awareness without lecturing:
- “Who is being a good friend here?”
- “How do you think she feels?”
- “What could he have done differently?”
Create Mini “Friendship Challenges”
Short, fun challenges like these can help kids stretch their skills in a safe environment:
- “Say three kind things today.”
- “Invite someone to join your game at school.”
- “Try a new way to solve a problem without getting mad.”
- “Tell someone ‘good job’ or ‘thank you.’”
Celebrate every child’s effort, even if the challenge doesn’t go perfectly.
Build Emotional Skills with Quick Daily Check-Ins
Many children, especially those affected by stress, prenatal exposure, or trauma, struggle to name their feelings. If they cannot name a feeling, it’s harder to express it safely with friends.
Try these daily tools:
- Feelings Chart – Point to pictures together and ask, “Which one feels like you today?”
- “Highs and Lows” Game – At dinner or bedtime, each person shares one good thing from the day and one hard thing
Build their calm-down skills:
Teach simple strategies to help them regulate themselves, feel safe, and be in control. These tools help reduce yelling, quitting, or shutting down during friend conflicts:
- Deep breaths
- Counting to 10
- Walking away to cool off
- Squeezing a stress ball
Practice “Friendship Scripts” for Tricky Moments
Kids often need specific words they can remember under stress. Here are several types of scripts they can memorize when things are calm:
For joining in:
- “Can I play with you?”
- “Is there a job I can do?”
For taking turns:
- “You go first, then me.”
For solving problems:
- “Let’s find a way that works for both of us.”
For standing up for themselves:
- “I don’t like that — stop, please.”
- “That hurt my feelings.”
For walking away safely:
- “I’m taking a break.”
- “I’m going to find something else to do.”
Repeating these scripts at home builds confidence outside the house.
Set Up Low-Pressure Play Opportunities
Short, structured interactions work best for children who get overwhelmed easily. Try these helpful tips to give them practice without too much pressure.
- Keep playdates one-on-one, not big groups.
- Choose home turf or familiar places to reduce stress.
- Keep the first meeting 30–60 minutes.
- Plan simple activities: coloring, walking the dog, playing a short game, and making a snack together.
- Stay nearby, but let kids try things on their own unless they truly need help.
Celebrate Small Wins
Any progress — a greeting, a shared toy, a calm response — is worth noticing. Your encouragement and praise build confidence, and confidence builds friendships.
- “I saw how patient you were. That was great.”
- “You handled that situation really well.”
- “I’m proud of how you talked to your friend today.”
Friendship Takes Practice
Children do not need to be perfect to make friends. And most kids need lots of practice to be good friends and develop healthy friendships. When you show up with your time, love, and gentle guidance, wrapped in fun and laughter, you help them learn and grow into good friendships.