3 Relationship Builders for Toddlers

These 3 ideas for toddlers offer building blocks for solid relationships with young peers in your ministry.

Construction takes tools, effort, and time—a building doesn’t spring up overnight. Kids’ relationships also need tools, effort, and time to build. It can be challenging for your kids to build lasting friendships, though, when they may only see each other for one hour a week. But it’s relationships, especially the well-constructed ones, that draw kids to your ministry and ultimately help them experience the most important relationship of all—their relationship with Jesus.

So why not make kids’ relationships the foundation in the solid, lasting structure of your ministry? Friendships are the true nuts and bolts of what shores up your ministry. Use the following ideas as a great way to start building solid relationships among the youngest in your ministry.

1. Mirror, I see a Friend

Use this activity to help little ones reflect on themselves and each other.

Best for: ages 0 to 2

Tools:

• a full-length mirror

Blueprints: Securely fasten a full-length mirror horizontally to a classroom wall, six inches from the floor. Have babies and toddlers sit in front of the mirror to see a reflection of themselves and their nursery friends.

Say: I see Charlie—do you see Charlie? Or point and say, Here’s Alexis! Little ones will enjoy seeing themselves and learn to recognize and attach names to other children in the nursery.

Mary Davis
Montrose, Iowa

2. Pop-Up Friends

This bubbly experience will get your toddlers working together to make noise.

Best for: ages 1 to 3

Tools:

• large bubble wrap
• duct tape

Blueprints: Cover a 5×10-foot area with large bubble wrap and tape the edges to the floor with duct tape. Have toddlers wear shoes as they walk, stomp, and jump on the bubble wrap to pop the bubbles. The surprise noise brings smiles and helps toddlers connect cause and effect. Encourage your toddlers to work together to pop bubbles, and delight with them as they accomplish their mission.

Christy Olson
North Branch, Minnesota

3. Share Bear

Little ones learn kindness to others as they share this soft bear with others.

Best for: ages 1 to 3

Tools:

• a stuffed bear
• a kitchen timer

Blueprints: Introduce a soft stuffed bear and tell children they’ll each have a chance to hold the bear during class. Give the bear to one child and set the timer for three minutes. Explain that when the timer sounds, the child with the bear can choose someone else to hold the bear. As children pass the bear, talk about the importance of sharing with and caring for our friends. The “share bear” helps toddlers build friendships and encourages them to care for others.

Kate Wicker
Scottsdale, Georgia

If you’re looking for great ways to teach toddlers in your nursery, check out Group’s Play-N-Worship for Toddlers.

Looking for more nursery ideas? Check out these posts!