Good manners are all about kindness, respect, and understanding others. But for little ones, learning manners doesn’t have to feel like a chore. By making manners fun, we can help kids enjoy learning kindness, respect, and patience! Here are some playful ways we bring out the best in manners through games and activities at our daycare.
Magic Words Hunt
Teaching kids to say “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me” is a great start, but turning it into a game makes it even better! In our Magic Words Hunt, we hide “magic word” cards around the room, each with one of these important phrases. The kids love finding the cards, and every time they use a “magic word” in a sentence, they get to keep their card as a badge of good manners! It’s amazing how quickly these little words become part of their everyday vocabulary.
Puppet Play for Politeness
Puppets are fantastic teachers! During Puppet Play, we use puppets to act out everyday situations—like sharing toys or asking for help politely. The kids watch, laugh, and even offer their own ideas for how the puppets should handle each situation. By seeing these behaviors in action, they learn empathy and see the power of kindness. And when it’s their turn to interact with the puppets, they get hands-on practice in being polite and respectful!
Compliment Stars
Teaching kids to recognize and appreciate each other is such a joy, and our Compliment Stars activity does just that. Each child gets a “star” sticker when they give a genuine compliment to another child. They learn to notice the good in others and build confidence by receiving compliments in return. It’s a beautiful way to create a positive atmosphere and encourage the kids to be kind to one another.
Sharing Circle
Sitting in a circle may seem simple, but it’s a fantastic way for kids to learn patience and listening skills. In our Sharing Circle, each child gets a turn to speak while the others listen quietly. It’s a wonderful way for them to learn how to take turns, show respect, and feel valued. The Sharing Circle also gives them a safe space to express their thoughts and emotions, helping them feel connected and cared for.
Kindness Bingo
What’s more fun than Bingo? In Kindness Bingo, each square has a good deed or polite action, like “helped a friend” or “said ‘thank you’ without a reminder.” Every time a child completes one, they mark it off on their board. It’s a fun challenge and shows them just how easy—and rewarding—it can be to be kind every day.
Teaching good manners to young kids doesn’t have to be about rules and reminders. When we turn manners into a game, it makes learning kindness fun and natural. By incorporating these playful activities, we’re helping children build lifelong habits of respect, patience, and empathy—one fun moment at a time!
