The holidays are filled with joy, gratitude and opportunities to make meaningful connections with others. For children, it’s an especially valuable time to learn how powerful kindness and friendship can be. Encouraging children to show care for their friends helps them build empathy, strengthen social skills and develop lifelong habits of compassion. Here are six simple yet heartfelt ways children can celebrate friendship and kindness this holiday season:
Create Thoughtful, Handmade Gifts
Children don’t need to spend money to show appreciation for the people who matter to them. Handmade gifts allow them to express creativity while giving something truly personal. A few easy ideas include:
- Friendship bracelets with their friends’ favorite colors
- Custom bookmarks for friends who love reading
- Decorated ornaments with paint, glitter or their friend’s name
- A “kindness card” listing things they admire about the other person
Crafting gifts helps children slow down, think deeply about others and understand that meaningful giving comes from the heart.
Spend Quality Time Together
One of the best ways children can celebrate friendship is to simply spend time together. During the busy holiday season, encourage children to strengthen their friendships through shared experiences. They can:
- Plan a holiday movie afternoon with popcorn and hot cocoa.
- Decorate cookies together.
- Read their favorite winter stories.
- Take a walk to see the neighborhood lights.
Help Each Other Learn and Grow
The holidays are all about fun, but with school still in session for part of the season, children can embrace the spirit of friendship by supporting each other academically. This helps them stay focused on their studies while building their relationship. Together, children can:
- Become study buddies to review class material.
- Practice presentations or read aloud to each other.
- Share school supplies or books.
- Cheer each other on as they work toward academic goals.
Helping one another reminds children that kindness and friendship aren’t only about celebrations or fun activities—they’re about supporting each other in everyday moments.
Do Good Together in the Community
Holiday cheer grows even stronger when children extend their kindness beyond their friend group and into the community. Volunteering together helps children understand gratitude and social responsibility. Some age-appropriate ideas include:
- Gathering items for a toy or clothing drive
- Making holiday cards for local nursing homes
- Baking treats to bring to community professionals, such as firefighters or teachers
- Cleaning up a neighborhood park or school playground
When children team up to help others, they learn that kindness can have a big impact. During the holidays, spreading that cheer with friends makes it even more meaningful!
Practice Small Acts of Kindness Every Day
Kindness doesn’t need to be grand or formal. In fact, the smallest actions often make the biggest difference in another person’s day. Everyday gestures show children that kindness is a way of being, and in the spirit of the holidays, they encourage them to bring warmth and compassion to friends and others in their lives. Encourage your child to:
- Give genuine compliments.
- Invite someone new to play.
- Share a toy or snack.
- Hold the door open.
- Say “thank you” often.
Celebrate Each Other’s Traditions
The holiday season is rich with diverse celebrations and family traditions. Encouraging children to learn about their friends’ customs helps promote inclusion and acceptance. It also helps children broaden their perspectives and deepen their appreciation for their friends.
They can:
- Share stories about how their families celebrate.
- Exchange traditional treats.
- Teach each other songs, greetings or games.
- Create artwork inspired by a variety of cultural holidays.
Creating a Season of Friendship and Joy
The holidays are a beautiful reminder that acts of kindness—big or small—can strengthen friendships and spread positivity. Whether they’re volunteering together or simply offering a kind word to each other, children can make the season brighter for their friends and others around them. At our K-8 preparatory school, character education is at the heart of what we do. We believe in providing a nurturing environment where all students can grow into kind, compassionate individuals who contribute positively to their communities. Learn about how Lake Forrest Prep encourages students to practice kindness and value friendship long after the decorations are put away by visiting our website.