25 Easy and Effective Social Skills Activities for Home or Classroom

When a child has social skills goals on their IEP, they need interventions and strategies to meet that goal. While there are curricula out there, and direct instruction is often warranted, acquiring social skills does not have to be boring. There are plenty of games and activities that help kids improve their social skills.

Let’s be real—most “social skills activities” floating around out there feel like filler. Or worse, busy work. You’re not here for cutesy group games that don’t actually help your kid navigate real-life interactions. You want activities that do something. That help your child make friends, read the room, take turns, regulate emotions—without turning every moment into a therapy session.

Most kids are or have already played these games at some time in their lives. Play is so important to kids and it’s important that we adults maintain it as a priority for them.

Play is not just play. It’s a chance to read faces, read body language, experience how your words and actions affect others, take turns, practice patience, learn to follow rules and directions and so much more.

Social Skills Activities

These social skills activities are evidence-based, practical, and yes—some are even fun. Whether you’re at home, in a classroom, or bringing ideas to an IEP meeting, there’s something in here that’ll actually move the needle.

Games that Practice Social Skills

Many of these games and activities are great for kids with autism and other disabilities. They practice social skills, executive functions and much more.

1. Alphabet Game

Sit in a circle. Pick a category (like fruit), and go around the circle naming something in that category in alphabetical order—apple, banana, cantaloupe… You get the idea. Boosts language skills and memory.

2. Name Game

Toss a ball to another child while saying their name. But here’s the rule—throw to someone who hasn’t gotten it yet. Helps with memory, inclusion, and turn-taking.

3. Color Match Game

Same as the Name Game, but this time, toss to someone wearing a specific color and call it out. (e.g., “Blue shirt!”) A fun way to practice observation and quick thinking.

4. Tell a Story

One child starts a story with one sentence, and each person adds on. You’ll end up with something hilarious—and a great lesson in listening and creativity.

5. Simon Says

Classic for a reason. Great for teaching imitation, attention, and impulse control (especially when “Simon doesn’t say”).

6. Pretend Play

Play house, school, vet—whatever the kids are into. Let them pick roles and direct the play. Great for imagination, cooperation, and perspective-taking.

7. Build Together

Using blocks, LEGOs, or even boxes, the group works on one structure together. Practice in collaboration, patience, and problem-solving.

8. Organized Sports

From kickball to tee-ball to adaptive leagues like Challenger—sports teach cooperation, rules, and social boundaries.

9. Discussion or Debate

For younger kids, debate “chocolate vs. vanilla.” Older kids can tackle bigger topics. Teaches respectful disagreement and valuing others’ opinions.

10. FaceTime Emotions

Use iPads to FaceTime classmates. Take turns making facial expressions and guessing the emotion. Builds emotional recognition and empathy.

11. What Happens Next?

One child starts a story, stops halfway, and asks the group to finish it. Encourages flexible thinking and insight into others’ perspectives.

12. Make Music Together

Use drums, clapping, stomping, or anything that makes noise. Work as a group to create a rhythm. It’s all about coordination and teamwork.

13. Favorite Character Breakdown

Each child shares their favorite character. Then, classmates guess why based on traits. Insightful and a great empathy exercise.

14. Treasure Hunt

Create a group scavenger hunt. Bonus points if kids have to work in pairs or teams to decode clues. Builds cooperation and problem-solving.

15. Charades

Act something out while others guess. A favorite for nonverbal communication and body language decoding.

16. Team Checkers

Two teams play a single game of checkers, taking turns as a team. Reinforces collaboration and patience.

17. Pets in the Classroom

Nothing teaches empathy like a classroom pet. (Bonus: Here’s how to get one for free!)

18. Link Tag

The “it” player links arms with each tagged person. Eventually, you have a giant running blob. Great for cooperation and hilarity.

19. Red Light, Green Light

Add music and a twist—those who are “out” now help catch others. Teaches self-control and inclusion.

20. Hot Lava

Set up an obstacle course where “the floor is lava.” Encourage kids to help each other across. Promotes teamwork and creative problem solving.

21. Pictionary

Like charades, but with drawing. Good for expressive communication and fine motor practice.

22. Common Thread Challenge

Divide into groups and find things everyone has in common (e.g., hates broccoli). Builds conversation skills and connection.

23. Line Up Challenge

“Line up by height. Now by birthday. Now by shoe size.” It’s fun, a little chaotic, and teaches non-verbal negotiation and order.

24. Jackpot

A playground classic—great for coordination, turn-taking, and managing frustration (because not everyone wins!).

25. Free Play (With Ground Rules)

Let kids choose the game—with one rule: no one gets left out. What they create together often teaches more than any planned activity.

26. Emotion Charades

Same as regular charades, but only with emotions. Helps kids identify and express feelings appropriately.

27. Pass the Compliment

Sit in a circle. Each child gives a genuine compliment to the person on their right. Encourages kindness, self-awareness, and confidence.

28. Group Art Project

One large paper, lots of markers. Create a mural or themed drawing together. Teaches collaboration and shared responsibility.

29. Obstacle Course with Jobs

Each child has a specific “job” in setting up or completing the course. Encourages planning, execution, and helping peers.

30. Mystery Bag

Put mystery objects in a bag. Each child pulls one, describes it, and tells a creative use for it. Encourages speaking skills and creativity.

Football Bingo– Use these free printable bingo cards for kids. Perfect for matching and for kids who struggle to read or use numbers. The pictures and colors make it accessible to more children.

Our kids spend over 1000 hours a year at school. And for our IEP kids, much of that time can be difficult, a struggle, and just plain no fun.

Our IEP teams should be doing as much as we can to make learning fun for all kids. And, most of the activities to improve social skills that I’ve listed above can be done at home too.

Note: Not all of these are evidence based, but most are.