Fun Social Skills Activities for Back to School
Start the school year off right with these 10 back-to-school social skills activities. From icebreakers to team-building exercises, these activities will help your students develop important social skills.
As the new school year begins, it’s important to not only focus on academic success but also on developing strong social skills. These back-to-school social skills activities are designed to help students improve communication, and build social confidence. From fun icebreakers to engaging team-building exercises, these activities will set a positive tone for the school year.
Icebreaker Activities
Icebreakers Activity:
This icebreaker activity is a fun way for students to get to know each other and practice their social skills. Students like taking turns answering silly questions. This activity also encourages students to interact with each other and promotes positive social interactions from the start of the school year.
Role-playing and Problem-Solving
Role-Play Scenarios:
Role-playing scenarios are another great way for students to practice and develop their social skills. They are some of my favorite social skills activities for back to school. Divide the students into pairs or small groups and assign each group a scenario to act out.
- You notice that a classmate has grabbed your backpack by mistake. Role-play how you would fix the problem.
- You have been waiting a long time for a turn on the swings. Role-play how you might ask for a turn.
- You are introduced to an adult, and the adult reaches out their hand to shake your hand. Role-play how you would respond.
Problem Solving
Another important skill to include in your social skills activities is problem-solving. There are lots of problem-solving situations to navigate when students return to school. Encourage kids to think about how they would handle the situation and to use their social skills to effectively communicate and problem-solve. This activity not only helps students develop their social skills, but also promotes empathy, understanding, and cooperation among classmates.
- What should I do if I can’t find the front office?
- What do I do if I forget to bring my lunch?
- I didn’t hear the teacher and I’m confused. What can I do?
- My classmate got hurt on the playground. What should I do?
- The teacher didn’t say my name correctly. What can I do?
Topic Maintenance Activities
Still, another important social skill is knowing how to maintain topics of conversation. Try introducing a topic of conversation and encourage students to demonstrate good listening skills, turn-taking, and topic maintenance.
- What do you like to eat for lunch?
- What’s your favorite subject? Why?
- What’s the best thing about coming back to school? What’s the worst?
- Do you like homework?
- What do you like to do after school?
Play Games:
Play games to foster social interaction, good sportsmanship, and cooperation. Basic board games, card games gross motor games, and even classroom word games are great. Games not only help students develop important social skills but also foster a sense of cooperation and camaraderie among classmates. By engaging in these team-building activities, students can start the school year off on the right foot and build a positive and supportive classroom environment.
Some of my latest favorite games include:
Skillsmatic Card Game – Found it!
Taco Vs. Burrito – The Card Game
LCR Left Right Center Dice Game
And if you are looking for a few more game ideas and ways to use games in speech therapy, check this out: 10 Great Speech Therapy Games
Also, these versatile Build a Game activities are great to use with any speech or social skills activity:
Build a Speech Therapy Game Bundle
Finally, if you are looking for more fun social skills ideas, check out these blog posts:
Summer-Themed Books that Teach Social Skills
Important Social Skills Kids Need