Best Friends are some of our most excellent teachers, and when I was a child, it was necessary to me to have a “Best Friend.” I like to think I still do have one or two. I love sharing stories of things my friends did when I was younger with Charlie. But more than that now as a mom I like watching Charlie make friends, and it is nice to know he has a couple of best friends. He spends as much time with them as possible. So today I would like to share a post with you about why Best Friends are some of our most excellent teachers.
Best Friends are some of our most exceptional teachers and to honor National Best Friends Day, here are a few activities to foster those precious memories and valuable lessons.
Some of my greatest memories with my best friends happen to be simple things. Creating in the kitchen is an excellent opportunity to share family traditions, learn together, and make tasty memories.
Here is a simple, fun, colorful dessert from Turnip The Oven that little ones will enjoy. Stuff Nutella in raspberries, and garnish with rainbow sprinkles. So easy and just a few won’t break banks or bellies!
S is for Sharing
It’s also for Super Cool! Magformers are colorful, unique magnetic shapes that come together like friends to create something great. The Forest Friends set has the pieces and idea book to make animals like a frog, squirrel, bunny and more. I like this one because it features animals that we’ll see camping this summer.
T is for Thoughtfulness
Photography is one of those contemplative activities that can be solo, but I love the idea of two or three best friends using this lesson plan to create an album or scrapbook together! I still have the records I made with friends as a young one and cherish them to this day.
Photography is a tradition I want to share with my kids and their friends. When you can use your phone for pictures and download the lessons, it’s a natural activity to start!
Great for: Ages 8-13, your budding creatives
F is of course for Fun!
Getting outdoors with groups of friends and running around is some of the best food for the soul. I love these fun (even silly!) activities that center around cooperation. The paper Friendship Chain is also really a sweet indoor activity for younger children. This roundup of 12 events by The Inspired Treehouse is full of great ideas.
Great for: Ages 3 and up!
R is for Respect
Respect often spurred by a deeper understanding of the person, place, or thing. I love the whole wall sticker selection at Educents, but the Habitat edition teaches kids about our natural world, and the bear is adorable. Since they’re reusable and washable, this is a set that can travel with pals and shared between houses. Great fun for between camping trips!
Great for: Ages 7-12
R is for Respect
E is for Encouraging
Some of the liveliest discussions between little ones surround the characters of their literary worlds! The Chronicles of Narnia, Dr. Seuss, Harry Potter – you name it! The book club is also one of my favorite things to do with my best friends now. This colorful, printable reading log from Balancing Home is an excellent tool for the encouragement of lifelong learning and discussions between best friends of all ages. What’s on everyone’s summer reading list? Add the books and start encouraging each other to succeed with regular check-ins. (Maybe with those raspberry treats from the letter B!).
Great for: All readers
I is for Inspiring
There is a reason Arts & Science go together – each inspires the other. Young Scientists Club put together an art and science fusion package to encourage creativity with six different activity kits. The topics range from bubbles to crystals to rainbows. It takes all kinds to make our world great – I like the idea that friends with different strengths can lean on each other, and friends with similar strengths can learn and be inspired together.
Great for: Ages 6 and up
I Is for Inspiring
N is for Nurturing
Gardening is such an excellent activity, and kids nurturing a garden together can be extremely rewarding, not to mention fun! Since June is also National Fruits and Vegetables Month, I like this kit as a kick-off to a vegetable garden. It comes with 18 biodegradable pots, green bean, tomato, and sweet pepper seeds. Lots of experiments (and healthy snacks!) to have, and plenty of plants to nurture together.
Great for: Ages 5 and up
N is for Nurturing
D is for Dependable
Some of our longest standing and most dependable pals are our furry friends! I Love You Through and Through Board Book and Teddy Bear illustrate the different emotions a little one can feel and demonstrate unconditional love. Unconditional love is always important to know but especially for that babies and toddler stage.
The Teddy Bear comes in small-hands-friendly sizes, paving the way for a dependable unconditional friendship.
Good for: 8-36 months
I’ll leave you with a quote about friendship from one of my favorite children’s books:
“You have been my friend,” replied Charlotte. “That in itself is a tremendous thing.”
—E.B. White Charlotte’s Web
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
