At KidStart Pediatric Therapy, we believe that every child deserves the chance to thrive socially and emotionally. Our expertise in social skills therapy for kids in Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Vancouver is grounded in evidence-based practices, innovative play, and a deep understanding of child development. This guide will showcase 20 engaging activities—rooted in research and clinical success—that foster empathy, communication, and emotional regulation.
Why Social Skills Therapy for Kids Matters
According to the British Columbia Ministry of Children and Family Development, over 5,000 children in Metro Vancouver receive specialized pediatric therapy services annually, highlighting the growing need for social skills therapy for kids in the region.
Social skills therapy for kids is more than just play—it’s a structured, research-based intervention that helps children navigate friendships, school, and family life. In Burnaby, approximately 1 in 66 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and many more experience social communication challenges or ADHD. Early, targeted intervention is proven to improve peer relationships, academic performance, and long-term mental health outcomes.
Our Approach: Evidence-Based and Child-Centered
At KidStart Pediatric Therapy, our social skills therapy for kids integrates:
- Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)
- Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)
- Occupational Therapists
This interdisciplinary approach ensures that each session is tailored, measurable, and fun—delivering real-world results for children with ASD, ADHD, social anxiety, and language delays.
20 Fun and Evidence-Based Social Skills Activities for Kids
At KidStart Pediatric Therapy, we specialize in social skills therapy for kids, using evidence-based methods to help children develop empathy, communication, and emotional regulation. Below are 20 engaging activities that our therapists use to promote these essential skills in a fun and effective way.
1. Feelings Charades
In this game, children take turns acting out different emotions without speaking, while their peers guess the feeling being portrayed. This activity encourages children to recognize and interpret nonverbal cues such as facial expressions and body language. It also helps build emotional vocabulary and empathy by making kids more aware of how emotions are expressed and perceived.
2. Conversation Jenga
Using a standard Jenga game, each block is labeled with a social prompt or question, such as “Share a time you felt proud” or “What is your favorite hobby?” When a child pulls a block, they answer the prompt before placing it on top, encouraging turn-taking and reciprocal conversation. This game promotes active listening, sharing personal experiences, and practicing conversational skills in a low-pressure setting.
3. Compliment Circle
Children sit in a circle and take turns giving sincere compliments to the person on their right. This activity fosters positive peer interactions and helps children learn how to express kindness and appreciation. It also boosts self-esteem and creates a supportive group environment where children feel valued and connected.
4. Social Stories
Therapists create personalized social stories tailored to the child’s specific social challenges, such as making friends or handling frustration. These stories use simple language and pictures to model appropriate social behaviors and expected outcomes. Reading and discussing these stories helps children understand social norms and prepares them for real-life interactions.
5. Emotion Matching Games
Children are given cards with different facial expressions and are asked to match them to scenarios or emotions described by the therapist. This activity enhances emotional recognition and helps kids learn to connect feelings with social contexts. It also supports the development of empathy by encouraging children to consider how others might feel in various situations.
6. Role-Play Scenarios
Children practice common social situations, like greeting a new friend or resolving a disagreement, through guided role-play. Therapists provide scripts or prompts, but children are encouraged to improvise and express themselves authentically. This hands-on practice builds confidence and equips children with practical strategies for navigating social challenges.
7. Team Building Challenges
Activities such as building a tower or completing a puzzle together require children to collaborate and communicate effectively. These challenges teach cooperation, problem-solving, and how to share responsibilities within a group. They also highlight the importance of listening to others and working towards a common goal.
8. Turn-Taking Board Games
Classic board games like “Candy Land” or “Connect Four” are used to teach patience, rule-following, and fair play. Children learn to wait their turn, celebrate others’ successes, and handle losing graciously. These games provide a natural context for practicing social norms and managing emotions during competitive situations.
9. Emotion Thermometer
Children use a visual scale, often shaped like a thermometer, to rate how intensely they feel certain emotions throughout the day. This tool helps kids identify and communicate their emotional states before feelings escalate. It also serves as a foundation for teaching self-regulation strategies tailored to different intensity levels.
10. Listening Lotto
In this game, a therapist reads a story or series of instructions, and children answer questions or complete tasks based on what they heard. The activity strengthens active listening and comprehension skills, which are crucial for effective communication. It also encourages children to focus attention and process verbal information accurately.
11. Perspective-Taking Masks
Children use masks or role-play props to “step into someone else’s shoes” and act out different perspectives. This imaginative exercise promotes empathy by encouraging kids to consider how others think and feel. It also helps develop social cognition skills, such as understanding intentions and emotions behind behaviors.
12. Friendship Bracelets
Kids create friendship bracelets to exchange with peers, providing a tangible way to practice sharing and kindness. While making the bracelets, children engage in conversation and learn to use positive social language. The exchange itself reinforces social bonding and the concept of giving and receiving in friendships.
13. Group Storytelling
In this cooperative activity, each child adds a sentence or idea to build a collective story. This encourages turn-taking, listening to others’ contributions, and creative collaboration. The unpredictability of the story also helps children practice flexibility and adapt their communication on the fly.
14. Emotion Sorting
Children sort pictures or objects into categories based on different emotions, such as happy, sad, angry, or scared. This visual and tactile activity aids in emotion identification and labeling. It also opens up discussions about appropriate responses to various feelings, enhancing emotional intelligence.
15. “What Would You Do?” Cards
Children are presented with social dilemma cards that describe challenging situations, such as “What would you do if someone took your toy?” They discuss possible responses and consequences, promoting problem-solving and critical thinking. This activity encourages kids to reflect on social rules and develop strategies for conflict resolution.
16. Mirror Game
One child leads a series of movements or facial expressions while the other mirrors them exactly. This game enhances attention to nonverbal cues and improves imitation skills. It also fosters connection and synchrony between participants, which are foundational for social bonding.
17. Greeting Relay
Children practice different ways to greet others, such as saying “hello,” giving a high-five, or waving, in a fast-paced relay format. This fun, energetic activity reinforces social routines and helps children become comfortable initiating interactions. It also builds confidence in approaching peers and adults.
18. Community Outings
Supervised trips to local playgrounds, libraries, or stores provide real-world practice of social skills learned in therapy. Children have opportunities to greet strangers, take turns, and follow social rules in natural settings. These outings help generalize skills beyond the therapy room, increasing independence and social competence.
19. Emotion Regulation Toolbox
Children create personalized kits filled with calming tools, such as stress balls, breathing exercises, or coping cards. This empowers kids to manage overwhelming emotions independently. Therapists teach when and how to use each tool, supporting self-regulation and emotional resilience.
20. Positive Self-Talk Posters
Kids design colorful posters featuring affirmations and encouraging messages they can use during challenging moments. This creative activity promotes positive self-advocacy and builds internal motivation. Displaying the posters in therapy or at home serves as a visual reminder of their strengths and coping strategies.
Social Skills Therapy with Kidstart Pediatric Therapy
At KidStart Pediatric Therapy, we integrate these activities into personalized social skills therapy for kids, ensuring they are fun, meaningful, and effective. Our evidence-based approach helps children in Burnaby and surrounding communities develop the social competencies they need to succeed in school, friendships, and life.
For more information on how we can support your child’s social development, contact us today!
FAQs
- What age range does KidStart Pediatric Therapy serve for social skills therapy for kids?
KidStart Pediatric Therapy offers social skills therapy for children as young as 2 years old up to adolescence, tailoring interventions to developmental stages to maximize effectiveness and engagement. - How does KidStart Pediatric Therapy customize social skills therapy for each child?
Our therapists conduct comprehensive assessments to identify each child’s unique social communication strengths and challenges, then develop individualized therapy plans incorporating evidence-based activities and family involvement. - Can social skills therapy at KidStart help children with anxiety related to social situations?
Yes, our social skills therapy for kids includes strategies such as role-play and cognitive-behavioral techniques to reduce social anxiety and build confidence in peer interactions. - How often should a child attend social skills therapy sessions for optimal progress?
Most children benefit from weekly sessions, with progress monitored regularly; however, frequency can be adjusted based on individual needs and family schedules to ensure consistent skill development. - Are parents involved in the social skills therapy process at KidStart?
Absolutely. We provide parent coaching and resources to reinforce social skills at home, ensuring that gains made in therapy generalize to everyday life.
