How do friendships begin? What happens when someone feels left out? How can children work together when they have different ideas? Exploring friendship through drama gives young children a playful way to investigate these questions through movement, imaginative situations and shared storytelling. Rather than telling children what a good friend should do, invite them to explore possibilities and discover their own responses.
Suitable for: approximately ages 3–7, with adaptations for younger children. Time: 25–40 minutes, or spread the invitations across several sessions. Resources: open space; an optional soft toy or piece of fabric. Focus: friendship, belonging, cooperation, empathy and communication.
Starting Point: A New Friend Arrives
Invite the children to imagine a little creature who has arrived somewhere unfamiliar. It might be a small dragon, a woodland animal or a visitor from the moon. You can introduce the creature using an imaginary object, a puppet or simply your hands. The creature wants to join in but does not know anyone yet.
Ask: Where has our visitor come from? What might it be feeling? What could it see or hear? What might help it feel welcome? Accept different suggestions without choosing one correct answer.
1. Friendship Greetings
Invite children to move around an imaginary village. When two villagers meet, they invent a greeting: a wave, a bow, a funny sound or a friendly phrase. Let the children choose whether to speak or communicate through movement. Next, imagine someone new arrives. How might the villagers welcome them?
Questions: How do we know someone wants to say hello? Can we greet people in different ways? What if someone prefers not to be touched?
2. The Bridge of Friendship
An imaginary river runs through the village. On the other side is a place the new visitor wants to reach. Invite the children to investigate how to cross safely. They might make stepping stones, a bridge or a boat using their bodies and imaginations. Encourage small groups to test different ideas and change plans as needed.
Questions: How can everyone get across? What if someone needs more time? What could we do if our first idea does not work?
3. Someone Is Left Out
Pause the story. The visitor notices a game already taking place but is unsure how to join. Invite volunteers to make a still image showing the moment. Look at the positions and expressions of the characters. Gently bring the image to life and allow the children to try different ways the situation could unfold.
Questions: What might each character be thinking? How could the visitor ask to join? What could the other characters do? Is there more than one possible solution? Do not require children to disclose personal experiences.
4. Two Friends, One Treasure
Two imaginary characters discover a beautiful sparkling stone. Both want to use it for different adventures. Invite pairs or small groups to become the characters and explore what happens. The stone could become part of a shared game, be used in turns or inspire a completely new idea. Children decide the ending.
Questions: What does each character want? How can they listen to one another? What other solutions could they invent?
5. The Friendship Garden
The visitor discovers an empty garden. Invite the children to plant imaginary seeds that grow into unusual flowers, trees and plants. Each child decides what their plant needs. Some may need sunshine, some water and some space. Explore how the group can care for the garden together, while noticing that not everything needs the same thing.
Questions: What helps your plant grow? What happens when we notice different needs? How can everyone contribute?
Following the Children’s Inquiry
Notice which questions interest the children. They may want to investigate welcoming someone new, solving disagreements, caring for others or the meaning of belonging. Return to the imaginary village on another day and let the children introduce new characters or problems. There is no need to reach a fixed moral or rehearse a performance.
Adapting for Younger Children
For ages 2–3, choose one short invitation, such as greeting the visitor or growing the friendship garden. Use repeated phrases, gentle movement and familiar objects. Offer parallel play and allow children to watch before joining. For older children, extend the story through role play, thought-tracking and alternative endings.
Reflection Questions
After the drama, invite children to draw, move or talk about something they noticed. You might ask: What surprised you? How did the characters help one another? What could happen in our village tomorrow? Listen for the children’s own ideas rather than looking for a particular answer.
Featured Book: Drama Start – Exploring Emotions
If you enjoyed this friendship inquiry, discover Drama Start: Exploring Emotions by Julie Meighan. The book offers more opportunities to explore feelings and emotional expression through imaginative drama, movement and play.
More Free Drama Resources
Explore our social and emotional drama resources, exploring emotions through drama, and The Monkey and the Crocodile friendship workshop.
