3 Games for Making Friends

Diana Cortese Author

Throw out the ice breakers, these games will get your students up and moving while learning about each other!

Building Friendships Through Shared Interests: 3 Engaging Activities for Kids

The foundation of friendship is built upon shared interests. While trust, empathy, and other qualities are important, at its core, a connection often begins with having things in common. Shared interests give children something to talk about, activities to do together, and common ground for bonding. Helping our students discover and share their interests, and learn about the interests of their peers, is essential for fostering friendships. Since kids aren't always naturally forthcoming about their passions, here are three engaging activities to help them connect:

1. SWITCH SIDES

This high-energy game is a fantastic icebreaker for helping students discover shared interests and attributes in a fun, active way. It encourages active listening and gets kids moving, making it perfect for younger students or for breaking up longer classroom sessions.

Divide your class into 2 groups. Half the group is at the end of a cleared space and half on the other side. You, (or rotate with  he students), call out, "Switch Sides if you.... (interest, attribute or experience)"  Mix it up! "Switch sides if you love dinosaurs! have blue eyes! have a brother! Play with transformers!" 

When the students hear something that is true to them they then run across to the other side of the room. This motivates them to listen closely too because they really want to see if it's time to run!

Benefits of Switch Sides:

• Active Listening: Students are motivated to listen closely to the prompts because they want to participate.
• Movement and Engagement: The physical activity makes the game more engaging and helps students release energy.
• Discovering Shared Interests: The game naturally reveals common interests and attributes, sparking potential connections.
• Icebreaker Fun: It's a great way to break the ice and create a positive atmosphere.

Tips for Success:

• Vary the Prompts: Include a wide range of interests, attributes, and experiences to ensure everyone has a chance to participate.
• Keep it Fast-Paced: A quick tempo keeps the energy high.
• Encourage Interaction: Facilitate brief conversations after each switch to help students connect.
• Adapt for Different Ages: Adjust the complexity of the prompts to suit the age and developmental level of your students.

2. ME TOO!

In this game, you can have the students in a circle, on the rug, or even just at their desks if that's easiest. Have each student say something about themselves or you can make up different interests. After the original student shares something (e.g. "I play basketball"), all the students who also share that activity, shout "Me too!" You can also have them stand up and shout "me too!"

Benefits of "Me Too":

• Visual Representation of Shared Interests: Seeing how many classmates share a particular interest can be a powerful way for children to realize they're not alone in their passions.
• Easy Participation: The simple "Me Too!" response makes it easy for all students to participate, even those who might be shy or hesitant to share.
• Quick and Engaging: The game is quick and easy to learn, making it ideal for short bursts of activity or for incorporating into transitions.
• Building a Sense of Community: Discovering shared interests helps build a sense of community and belonging within the classroom.
• Promoting Empathy: Hearing about the diverse interests of their classmates can help children develop empathy and appreciation for others' perspectives.

Tips for Success:

• Model Enthusiasm: Your own enthusiasm for the game will be contagious! Be excited about learning about your students' interests.
• Create a Safe Space: Emphasize that there are no "right" or "wrong" answers and that all interests are valued.
• Use Visual Aids: Consider using a whiteboard or chart to record the different interests that are shared. This can help students visualize the range of shared passions.
• Encourage Follow-Up: After the game, encourage students to talk to each other about the interests that were shared. This can lead to further connections and friendships.
• Be Inclusive: Ensure that the interests you call out are diverse and inclusive, representing a wide range of hobbies, activities, and backgrounds.
• Adapt for Different Ages: For younger students, you might use pictures or objects to represent different interests. For older students, you can encourage them to elaborate on their interests and explain why they enjoy them.

3. HIGH 5 If YOU... 

Circle up your students and similar to the other games, you are going to say certain interests, attributes or experiences but this time the instruction is, "Come to the middle and high five everyone who.... (speaks Spanish, watches Mr. Beast, has a summer birthday, etc.). Since I use this one with the older kiddos, a lot of times I ask them after who can remember some of the scenarios. It's not a test so don't get too serious with them. Just for fun, try it out and they'll surprise you.

Benefits of the High 5 Game:

• Physical Connection: The high five provides a physical connection between students, which can strengthen feelings of camaraderie and friendship.
• Positive Reinforcement: The high five acts as a positive reinforcement for sharing interests, making the experience more enjoyable.
• Low-Pressure Sharing: The game allows students to share their interests in a low-pressure, non-confrontational way. They simply state their interest and find someone who shares it – no lengthy explanations are required.
• Encourages Interaction: The game naturally encourages interaction between students who might not otherwise talk to each other.
• Fun and Engaging: The high five element adds an element of fun and excitement to the activity.

Tips for Success:

• Model the Behavior: Demonstrate how to offer a friendly high five and make eye contact when connecting with someone.
• Keep it Positive: Emphasize the positive aspect of finding common ground. Encourage students to be enthusiastic and supportive of each other's interests.
• Vary the Interests: Include a wide range of interests to ensure that everyone has something to share. Don't just focus on popular hobbies; include more unique or niche interests as well.
• Facilitate Follow-Up: After the game, encourage students to talk to the people they high-fived about their shared interests. This can help them build deeper connections.
• Adapt for Different Ages: For younger students, you can use pictures or objects to represent different interests. For older students, you can encourage them to elaborate on their interests and explain why they enjoy them.
• Manage Excitement Levels: If the high fives become too enthusiastic or disruptive, you might need to gently remind students to be mindful of others' personal space.
• Consider Alternatives for Sensory Sensitivities: Be mindful of students who might have sensory sensitivities and may not be comfortable with high fives. Offer alternative ways for them to connect, such as a fist bump, a wave, or simply a verbal acknowledgment.

Helping our students build meaningful friendships is a vital part of our role as educators. By providing opportunities for them to discover shared interests, we provide them with the building blocks for connection. These three activities – Switch Sides, Me Too, and High 5, offer engaging and accessible ways to foster these connections. 

Remember, the key is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where every child feels valued and encouraged to share their unique passions. When children feel seen and heard, they're more likely to open up, connect with their peers, and build the strong friendships that are so essential for their social and emotional well-being.

Want to take your understanding of your students' social skills a step further? Accurately assessing their strengths and areas for growth enables you to tailor your instruction and support. That's why I've created a free Social Skills Assessment designed to help you gain valuable insights into your students' social-emotional needs. This assessment will provide you with a clear picture of their current skill levels, allowing you to create targeted interventions and activities that will make a real difference. 

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Categories: : friendship, games, social learning