Playdates can be a great opportunity for kids to learn not just how to have fun—but how to be kind, respectful guests in someone else’s space. If your child is heading to a friend’s house soon, a little preparation can go a long way! Here are five simple manners to teach your child before a playdate:
1. Say “Thank You”
Start and end with kindness. Encourage your child to greet their friend’s parent when they arrive and say thank you before they leave. These little words show respect and appreciation—and they’re easy to practice ahead of time!
Try this: Role-play the drop-off and pick-up. Practice saying, “Thanks for having me over!” with a smile.
2. Follow the House Rules
Every home has its own rules about shoes, furniture, screens, and more. Help your child understand that when they’re in someone else’s home, it’s important to listen and follow their rules—even if they’re different from your own. And if someone else’s rules are different than yours, make sure you get permission before doing something that might not be allowed at your house!
Try this: Say something like, “If you’re not sure what the rules are, it’s always okay to ask.”
3. Be Kind To Siblings Too
It’s easy for kids to focus only on their friend during a playdate, but showing kindness to siblings is just as important. Remind your child that younger or older siblings might be around, and that they deserve respect too. Teach them that being polite, patient, and including siblings when appropriate helps create a positive experience for everyone in the home.
Try this: Say, “If your sibling wants to play for a minute, can you think of a kind way to respond?” Practice a few options together.
4. Ask Permission First
It’s a good rule of thumb to ask before opening doors or cabinets, grabbing snacks, or turning on the TV. Remind your child that it’s polite to ask permission before doing something they wouldn’t normally do at home.
Try this: Practice simple phrases like, “Can I play with this?” or “Is it okay if we go outside?”
5. Help Clean Up
Being a great guest means leaving things better than you found them. If your child helped pull out all the toys, they can help put them away too. It’s a small act that teaches them responsibility.
Try this: Teach them to ask, “Is there anything I can help clean up before I go?”
Printable Resource for Teaching Good Manners at a Friend’s House
If you would like a fun way to teach and practice manners for playdates with your children, download my printable resource, “Come On Over! Learning How to Use Good Manners at a Friend’s House.” Download it today for only $12!
This space-themed lesson includes:
- A simple manners matching game so kiddos can learn why they matter
- Role plays to practice ways to show respect in someone else’s home
- A maze activity so everyone can choose a character and practice having good manners in the maze of a home
- A visual cue of an alien’s home (darling!) to make the lesson memorable
- Discussion questions to help children understand the reason for manners and how they help people feel comfortable
With just a little coaching and practice, your child can head into any playdate feeling confident and ready to be a kind, respectful guest. And the best part? These manners don’t just help them make good impressions—they help them build lasting friendships, too.
If you want more resources on building friendship in and outside of the home, you might enjoy these resources:
- 5 Ideas for How to Handle Playdates and Having Friends Over
- Let’s Build a Friendship – A Print Shop resource about strengthening sibling relationships
- Let’s Be Friends – A Print Shop resource about how to be and find the best kind of friends