Summer Social Skills for Kids – turn-taking, sportsmanship, initiating conversation, compromising, and more.
Summer is a great time for kids to relax and have fun, but it’s also important to keep them engaged and learning. Social skills are a crucial part of a child’s development, and there are plenty of fun activities you can do with your child to help them improve their communication, teamwork, and other important social skills. Here are some ideas to get started. These are great for families to implement as well.
Role-Playing Games.
Role-playing games are a fun way to help kids practice their communication and problem-solving skills. You can create scenarios for your child to act out, such as ordering food at a restaurant or asking for directions. Encourage them to use appropriate language and body language, and provide feedback on how they can improve. You can also switch roles and have your child play the role of the adult, which can help them develop empathy and understanding. Some great summer role-playing themes include:
- Advocate for yourself if you don’t like the loud fireworks
- Order something from the ice cream or shaved ice truck
- Pretend that you want to join in with a game of whiffle ball
- Pretend that you won or lost a game.
- Role-play politely asking for something at a barbecue
Here are a couple of great summer social skills resources for role-playing:
Social and Safety Skill Discussion Cards
Beach Themed Act it Out Summer Social Skills
Group Art Projects.
Group art projects are a great way to encourage teamwork and communication skills while also allowing kids to express their creativity. You can provide a theme or prompt for the project, such as creating a mural or designing a collaborative sculpture. Encourage kids to work together, share ideas, and communicate effectively to bring their vision to life. This activity can also help build confidence and self-esteem as kids see their individual contributions come together to create something beautiful.
I love this collection of summer crafts for kids from Good Housekeeping (paper flowers, paper plate ladybugs, popsicle stick Ferris wheels…)
Team Building Exercises.
Team building exercises are a great way to improve communication and collaboration skills in kids. One fun activity is the “human knot” game, where kids stand in a circle and hold hands with two different people across from them. Then, without letting go of hands, they must work together to untangle the knot they have created. This game requires communication, problem-solving, and teamwork to succeed. Other team-building activities could include relay races, scavenger hunts, or building structures with limited resources.
Cooking and Baking Together.
Cooking and baking together is a great way to improve social skills in kids. Not only does it require communication and teamwork, but it also teaches important life skills like following directions and measuring ingredients. Choose a recipe that your child is interested in and work together to create a delicious treat. Encourage them to take on different roles, such as measuring ingredients or stirring the mixture. This activity can also be a great opportunity to talk about healthy eating habits and the importance of a balanced diet. Check out this blog post for some fun and easy summer recipes