Objective: Create a sense of community, introduce the program, and set the tone for a fun learning experience.

Activities:

• Group Name Creation: Participants brainstorm and vote on a fun name for their group.

• Team Building Games: Engage in icebreaker games like “Two Truths and a Lie” and “Human Knot” to build trust and rapport.

• Creative Introductions: Participants draw or craft something that represents them and share with the group.

Objective: Learn about and practice recognizing social cues through interactive activities.

Activities:

• Social Cues Scavenger Hunt: Participants search for hidden cards around the room that depict different social cues (e.g., smiling, frowning) and discuss what each cue means.

• Charades: Play a game of charades where participants act out emotions or social scenarios and others guess the cue.

• Reflect and Share: Discuss how recognizing social cues can help in making friends and understanding others.

Objective: Practice starting and maintaining conversations in a fun and relaxed environment.

Activities:

• Conversation Bingo: Participants receive bingo cards with different conversation topics or challenges (e.g., ask someone about their favorite hobby). They mingle to complete their cards.

• Speed Friending: Participants rotate partners every few minutes to practice conversation skills with a variety of people.

• Story Circle: As a group, create a story by each participant adding a sentence, focusing on building off each other’s ideas.

Objective: Develop active listening skills through engaging games and activities.

Activities:

• Telephone Game: Participants pass a message around the circle and see how much it changes, illustrating the importance of careful listening.

• Listening Puzzles: Work in pairs to solve puzzles or complete tasks where one person gives instructions and the other listens and follows.

• Musical Chairs (with a Twist): Participants have to listen for specific instructions during the game (e.g., "sit if you’re wearing blue") to keep it exciting and focused on listening.

Objective: Identify and celebrate each participant’s unique social strengths and learn anxiety management.

Activities:

• Superhero Self-Portraits: Participants draw themselves as social superheroes, highlighting their strengths (e.g., “Friendly Friend,” “Empathy Expert”).

• Calm Down Toolbox: Create a personal toolbox with stress-relief strategies like deep breathing, fidget tools, or comforting phrases.

• Role-Playing Adventures: Use the superhero theme to role-play scenarios where participants use their “superpowers” to navigate social situations.

Objective: Understand and respect social boundaries and personal space in a playful setting.

Activities:

• Personal Space Bubble Game: Using hula hoops or large hoops, participants navigate around the room without bumping into each other’s “bubble.”

• Boundary Charades: Act out scenarios where personal space or boundaries need to be respected, and discuss how to handle these situations.

• Friendship Quilt: Create a group “quilt” with each square representing something important about personal boundaries and respect.

Objective: Learn strategies for managing conflicts and disagreements through dynamic activities.

Activities:

• Conflict Resolution Relay Race: Teams race to solve conflict scenarios presented on cards. They must come up with a resolution before moving on to the next challenge.

• Emotion Matching Game: Match different conflict scenarios with appropriate emotional responses and discuss how different feelings can influence conflict resolution.

• Peace-Making Craft: Create peace symbols or “calm stones” that participants can use as reminders of their conflict resolution strategies.

Objective: Enhance emotional awareness and expression through creative and interactive activities.

Activities:

• Emotion Sculpting: Using clay or Play-Doh, participants sculpt different emotions and discuss what each one feels like.

• Feelings Jenga: Each block has an emotion written on it. When a participant pulls a block, they share a time they felt that emotion and how they expressed it.

• Emotion Charades: Similar to traditional charades, but focused on acting out emotions for others to guess.

Objective: Foster connections and teamwork through a collaborative, fun activity.

Activities:

• Fort Building Challenge: In small groups, participants build forts using blankets, pillows, and other materials, focusing on cooperation and communication.

• Friendship Bracelets: Create and exchange friendship bracelets, discussing what makes a good friend.

• Fort Story Time: Each group shares a story or a positive experience while inside their fort, promoting a sense of shared space and camaraderie.

Objective: Explore the world of social media and online communication in a safe and fun way.

Activities:

• Digital Treasure Hunt: Participants use tablets or laptops to find specific information or complete tasks online, focusing on safe and respectful online behavior.

• Emoji Pictionary: Use emojis to create messages or stories and have the group guess the meaning, promoting understanding of digital communication.

• Online Safety Role-Play: Act out scenarios where online safety is important, discussing how to handle each situation appropriately.

Objective: Empower participants to express themselves and advocate for their needs.

Activities:

• My Voice, My Choice: Participants create posters or presentations about something they are passionate about, practicing self-advocacy.

• Assertiveness Role-Play: Act out scenarios where participants need to stand up for themselves or express their needs, with the group offering supportive feedback.

• Compliment Circle: Each participant gives and receives positive affirmations, reinforcing the importance of self-esteem and self-advocacy.

Objective: Celebrate the achievements and friendships formed, reflect on the journey, and reinforce key skills.

Activities:

• Award Ceremony: Each participant receives a fun award highlighting their unique contributions (e.g., “Best Listener,” “Creative Conversationalist”).

• Memory Book: Create a group memory book with pictures, drawings, and reflections from the program.

• Celebration Party: End with a small party featuring games, music, and socializing, allowing participants to practice their new skills in a relaxed setting.