How to Make Friends as a Kid Lesson Plans

Teachers & homeschoolers · Lesson plan · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What Grade Levels Are Best for These Friendship Lesson Plans?

This lesson plan is designed primarily for elementary (grades 2–5) and middle school students (grades 6–8), with flexibility to adapt for younger or older children. In early elementary grades, the focus should be on foundational social skills like greeting peers, sharing toys or materials, and inviting others to join play. For example, children might practice saying, “Hi, my name is Jamie. Do you want to play with me?” Middle school students benefit from deeper conversations about empathy, handling misunderstandings, and recognizing social cues like tone and body language.

Teachers and homeschooling parents can adjust the complexity and pacing to fit their students. For example, a younger child might spend more sessions practicing simple introductions, while an older student might explore role-playing scenarios about resolving conflicts or including someone new after a disagreement. The lesson can be delivered in a single 30- to 45-minute session or spread across multiple days to allow for reflection and reinforcement.

This table helps guide planning, ensuring age-appropriate strategies that build on kids’ social development stages.

What Materials Are Needed to Run the Lesson?

One advantage of this lesson plan is its reliance on simple, everyday materials likely already found in classrooms or homes, making preparation easy. Materials include:

• A whiteboard, chalkboard, or large chart paper with markers to write key friendship skills and phrases.
• Paper and pencils or crayons for students to write or draw their ideas.
• Name tags or sticky notes to help students practice introductions during role-play.
• A soft ball or small object to use in "talking" activities, where only the person holding the item speaks.
• Optional: storybooks, short videos, or puppets that illustrate friendship skills and social situations.

No printable worksheets are required, but teachers may choose to create or use existing handouts if desired. For example, a teacher might write “Hello, my name is ___” on the board to help young children practice introductions word-for-word. The materials should support active participation and make social learning visible and concrete.

How Should You Warm Up Students to the Topic of Making Friends?

Warming up learners prepares their minds and emotions for the lesson ahead. Begin with a short icebreaker that encourages kids to think about friendships in a fun, comfortable way. Here are some steps:

1. Friendship Circle Share: Ask each student to say their name and share one thing they like to do with friends, such as playing soccer, drawing, or reading. This encourages speaking in front of peers and focusing on positive friendship experiences.

1. “Find a Friend Who…” Activity: Prepare simple statements like “Find a friend who has a pet,” “Find a friend who likes pizza,” or “Find someone who plays a musical instrument.” Students mingle and find classmates who match these statements. This gets them moving and ready to interact.

1. Storytelling: Read a brief story or tell a personal example about making a new friend. Highlight feelings involved, such as nervousness or excitement, and ask how students might feel in that situation.

This warm-up should last about 5-10 minutes and help students feel more connected and ready to practice social skills.

What Friendship Skills Should You Teach Directly?

The core of the lesson focuses on practical, age-appropriate friendship skills. Teachers or parents should explain and model these points clearly, with exact wording children can use:

1. Introducing Yourself: Teach students to say, “Hi, my name is [name]. What’s your name?” Practice this in pairs.

1. Starting a Conversation: Show how to ask questions about interests, for example, “Do you like playing basketball?” or “What’s your favorite game?”

1. Listening and Showing Interest: Emphasize making eye contact, nodding, and responding with phrases like “That sounds fun!” or “I like that, too!”

1. Sharing and Taking Turns: Explain sharing materials or taking turns with toys or games. Model phrases such as “Can I play with you?” or “It’s your turn now.”

1. Respecting Differences: Discuss that friends might look or act differently, but kindness is key. Use examples like, “Even if someone likes different music, you can still be friends.”

1. Handling Disagreements: Teach using “I feel” statements, like “I feel sad when you don’t share,” and seeking adult help if needed.

Use role-play to model these skills step-by-step. For example, demonstrate a conversation where one student introduces themselves and asks about hobbies, followed by polite listening and sharing.

How Can You Design a Main Activity for Practice?

The main activity should be an interactive role-play that allows students to practice making friends in a safe environment. Follow these steps:

1. Pair or Small Group Assignments: Organize students into pairs or groups of three. If possible, mix students who don’t usually interact to encourage new connections.

1. Scenario Cards: Provide simple scenarios for each pair/group, such as “You are new at school and want to make a friend” or “You see someone sitting alone at lunch and want to invite them to join.”

1. Role-play Practice: Students take turns practicing greetings, starting conversations, and inviting others to join. They should use the phrases learned during direct instruction.

1. Use a Talking Object: Introduce a ball or small item that students pass around to indicate whose turn it is to speak. This encourages listening and turn-taking.

1. Group Reflection: After role-plays, ask groups to discuss what felt easy or hard, what phrases worked well, and what they might try next time.

This activity engages students kinesthetically and socially, providing hands-on experience with friendship skills.

What Discussion Questions Encourage Reflection on Friendship?

After the main activity, use thoughtful questions to help students reflect on their experiences and deepen understanding. Some questions include:

• What was the easiest part of introducing yourself or starting a conversation? Why?
• How did you feel when you were invited to join a group or play?
• What could you do if a friend feels sad or left out?
• Why is it important to listen and show you care during conversations?
• How can you be a good friend even if someone has different interests or opinions?

Encourage students to speak honestly and validate all feelings shared. For younger children, restate or simplify questions as needed to ensure comprehension. This reflection helps students connect skills learned to real-life situations.

How Can You Assess Students’ Understanding and Skill Development?

An exit ticket or quick assessment helps determine if students grasp the friendship skills taught. Here are simple methods:

• Written or Verbal Exit Ticket: Ask students to write or say one sentence about how they can make a new friend, e.g., “I can say hello and ask what they like to do.”

• Friendship Skill Checklist: Provide a brief checklist for students to mark skills they feel confident using, such as “Introducing myself,” “Asking questions,” or “Sharing.”

• Confidence Rating: Use a thumbs-up/thumbs-down or smiley-face scale for students to indicate how comfortable they feel making friends after the lesson.

For younger students, drawing a picture of themselves making a friend can also serve as a creative assessment. Teachers and parents should use assessment results to plan follow-up lessons or individualized support.

How Can Homeschoolers Differentiate and Extend This Lesson?

Homeschool parents can tailor this plan to their child’s unique social needs and pace:

• Personalize Scenarios: Use examples from your child’s playdates, family gatherings, or online interactions to make learning relevant.

• Repeat Practice: Reinforce skills through daily opportunities, like role-playing greetings before going to a park or inviting a neighbor to play.

• Introduce “The 10 Commandments of Making Friends”: Create or adapt a list of guiding friendship rules for older children, such as “Be yourself,” “Listen carefully,” and “Say sorry when needed.” Discuss each commandment and practice applying them.

• Use Storybooks and Videos: Supplement lessons with books or videos about friendship to prompt conversation and empathy-building.

• Encourage Journaling: Older kids might write about friendships they have or want to build, reflecting on what they learned.

• Expand Social Circles: Arrange meetups or group activities with peers to apply skills naturally.

Differentiating this lesson ensures that children of all temperaments and social experiences can build meaningful friendships.

For more examples and detailed activities, see the Lesson Plan for Teaching Kids How to Make Friends and the Making Friends Lesson Plan for Teachers.

Frequently asked questions

How can I support a child who feels anxious about making friends?

Start with small, low-pressure interactions like greeting one classmate or practicing at home. Encourage deep breaths, positive self-talk, and celebrate small successes to build confidence.

What if a child doesn’t have many chances to meet peers?

Focus on virtual or family interactions as practice. Encourage participation in clubs, sports, or community activities where friendships can form.

How do I teach kids to handle teasing or bullying when making friends?

Emphasize respectful communication and seeking help from trusted adults. Role-play appropriate responses and discuss ways to stay safe.

Can this lesson plan be adapted for children with special needs?

Yes. Use clear, simple language, visual supports, and extra practice. Consider social stories or working with specialists for individualized help.

How can teachers keep friendship lessons ongoing?

Integrate friendship skills into daily routines and classroom culture. Use morning meetings or social-emotional learning time to revisit and practice.