Playground Pals Teacher Guide
KINDERGARTEN LESSON PLAN
Playground Pals
Making Friends, Sharing Smiles & Spreading Kindness
45-60 Mins
Introduce & Meet Finding common ground with new peers
Notice & Care Noticing feelings and acts of kindness
Share & Play Using kind words during shared playtime
Required Classroom Materials
- "Find a Friend" Bingo Worksheets
- "Kindness Band" Templates
- "Playground Pals" Board Games
- Crayons, scissors & safe tape
- 1 Die & 2 counters per board game
- Simple stamps or star stickers
Part 1
The Hello Circle (10 Mins)
Have students sit in a circle. Introduce the "Playground Pals" hand wave: Wave with both hands and say, "Hi, Pal!" Pass a soft ball or plush toy around the circle. When a student holds it, they say their name and one thing they love to play on the playground.
Guiding Discussion Prompts:
"How does it feel when someone waves and asks you to play?"
"What can we do if we see a friend sitting alone on a bench?"
Part 2
Find a Friend Bingo (15 Mins)
Distribute the Find a Friend Bingo Worksheet. Review each icon together as a class so students know what they represent (e.g., likes swings, likes coloring, enjoys building blocks).
How to Facilitate:
• Students walk around the room, ask a classmate: "Do you like to slide?" or "Do you like blocks?"
• If the classmate says yes, the student writes that classmate's first initial (or draws their smile) in the corresponding box.
• Encourage kids to find different friends for each box rather than using the same friend twice!
Playground Pals Lesson Suite Page 1 of 2
FACILITATION GUIDE
Active Crafts & Sharing Games
Part 3 & 4
Part 3
Kindness Band Craft (15 Mins)
The Kindness Band Craft Template allows students to color, customize, and cut out a beautiful wearable band to present to a classmate as a small act of kindness.
Step 1: Design & Decorate
Students color the friendly designs (stars, hearts, smiley clouds) and trace the bold friendship words: PAL, KIND, or SHARE.
Step 2: The Gift Exchange
Help students wrap the paper bands around their partner's wrist and secure with a small piece of tape. Prompt them to say: "Thank you for being my pal!"
Part 4
Playground Pals Board Game (15 Mins)
A highly interactive, non-competitive print-and-play board game focusing directly on sharing, turn-taking, and active friendly communication. Pair students up (2 players per board).
Game Facilitation Rules:
Students take turns rolling a die (or flipping a coin) and moving their game piece. When landing on special action squares:
🤝 Share Square: Say one kind word to your playing partner.
🎨 Common Ground: Name a toy or color you both enjoy.
Wrap-Up
The Kindness Pledge (5 Mins)
Gather the students back into the circle. Go around and ask each child to share one thing they learned about a classmate today. Conclude with the class repeating the **Playground Pals Promise** together:
"We are kind, we are cool, we make friends at our school!"
Playground Pals Lesson Suite Page 2 of 2
Find a Friend Bingo Worksheet
My Name:
Date:
PLAYGROUND PALS GAME
Find a Friend Bingo
Ask your classmates if they like the things below! If they say YES, write their first initial (or draw a smiley face) in the box!
Likes Swings Do you like swings?
Initial: _______
Likes Coloring Do you like coloring?
Initial: _______
Likes Blocks Do you build blocks?
Initial: _______
Likes Stories Do you love books?
Initial: _______
MY HERO Draw a smile here!
Likes Catch Do you catch balls?
Initial: _______
Likes Singing Do you like songs?
Initial: _______
Likes Dancing Do you like to dance?
Initial: _______
Likes Animals Do you love puppies?
Initial: _______
Remember: When you find a classmate who says yes, wave both hands and say "Hi, Pal!" with a massive smile!
Playground Pals Lesson Suite Worksheet: Find a Friend Bingo
Kindness Band Craft Template
My Name:
Date:
KINDNESS CRAFT
Kindness Band Templates
Color the designs, trace the letters, write your pal's name, then have a teacher help cut out the bands to wear!
1
Color & Draw Use crayons or markers to fill the stars, hearts & shapes with fun colors!
2
Trace & Write Trace the dashed letters and write down the name of your playground friend!
3
Cut & Share Carefully cut along the dashed black lines and tape the band on your friend's wrist!
Cut Line
Color Me!
Trace My Friendship Word:
PAL
To My Pal:
Write Friend's Name
Cut Line
Color Me!
Trace My Friendship Word:
KIND
To My Pal:
Write Friend's Name
Cut Line
Color Me!
Trace My Friendship Word:
SHARE
To My Pal:
Write Friend's Name
Playground Pals Lesson Suite Craft Activity: Kindness Wristbands
Playground Pals Board Game
Player 1:
Player 2:
Date:
SHARING & TURN-TAKING GAME
Playground Pals Game
Grab 1 coin or die and 2 markers (like buttons or small toy blocks). Take turns rolling, moving, and doing the friendship actions!
Space 1 START!
Space 2 Wave & say "Hi, Friend!"
Space 3 Give partner a High-Five!
Space 4 Tell your favorite toy.
Space 8 Say one sweet thing to player.
Space 7 Make a happy puppy noise!
Space 6 Make your best silly smile!
Space 5 Say "Thank you for playing!"
Space 9 Make a 2-step secret handshake!
Space 10 Name three colors you like!
Space 11 Do a gentle friendly wiggle!
Space 12 FINISH!
The Sharing Rule Always hand the coin/die to your friend gently. No grabbing!
We Both Win! Celebrate when anyone gets to the FINISH space! Give a big clap!
Playground Pals Lesson Suite Printable Game: Playground Pals Board Game
