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Teach Kids Friendship Skills with Dolls

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On May 23, 2025
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Childhood is all about learning, playing, and making friends. With besties by their sides, there’s no doubt that kids feel happier and more confident, which helps them roll with life’s punches. Friendships also play an important role in childhood development as they help kids become kinder, right-minded people!

If you have a little one in school, however, you might already know how tricky childhood friendships can be. From knowing how to share to managing big feelings, there are so many things kids need to learn before they can make meaningful friendships. 

Lucky for you, the dolls you have at home are great for teaching kids how to be a good friend! Here are 5 simple ways you can use dolls to teach your kiddo critical social skills. 

#1 Share the Same Toys

Sharing is caring! Kids need to learn how to share if they’re going to make friends. This important social skill is a key ingredient in making and maintaining friendships, playing cooperatively, and learning to compromise. With a little practice, your child might also learn that sharing feels good!  

For this exercise, take a moment to play dolls with your kiddo and focus on the toys instead of diving into role-play. Ask if your doll can swap outfits with your child’s doll, then praise them for allowing the exchange. You can also ask to trade accessories or take turns with the dolls’ activities, such as driving the car or serving food! 

“Could Mia please trade sweaters with Zoe? Her favorite color is indigo. Wow, thank you! That is so nice of Zoe.” 

Friendships skills: 

     💕 Empathy

     🤝 Cooperation 

     😊 Feeling happy for others

Two of a Kind

Hey Bestie dolls always come in pairs. So, they’re perfect for sharing with siblings, cousins, and friends! With cute, changeable clothes and detailed accessories, these mini dolls encourage happy and cooperative play.

DISCOVER HEY BESTIE

#2 Communicate with Dolls

Dolls are comfort objects, like teddy bears and blankets. But did you know that dolls are great for self-reflection?  

Kids often feel more comfortable speaking for their dolls than they do for themselves. So, they may be more open-minded and capable of processing big feelings. That emotional intelligence is everything when making friends in school! 

Try recreating tough moments with a doll and communicate with the magic of role-play. “Jasmine is sad because one of her besties doesn’t want to play right now. Is that why you’re sad, too?” Unpack those feelings together. Then, follow up by asking, “what could we do to make Jasmine feel better?”  

Friendship skills: 

     🌊 Emotional regulation 

     🧩 Problem-solving 

     💬 Communication

#3 Have a Tea Party

Tea parties are classic. Either alone or with friends, this adorable form of play is great for teaching kids important social skills while working that imaginative muscle. Tea parties are all about communication, cooperation, and sweet treats —perfect for making besties!  

Set the scene with a table or a picnic blanket along with toy cups, plates, and play food. Then, bring out the dolls, stuffed animals, and other toys that want to participate.  

With birthday parties in mind, encourage your child to play host. Have them serve cake, take turns, and clean up after their little guests. During role-play, ask questions like, “may I please have some water?” and “where is bathroom?” Then, guide your kiddo to the right answers. No matter how you play, be sure that everyone always says please and thank you! 

Friendship skills: 

     🙏 Gratitude 

     🍽️ Good manners

     🙌 Respect

#4 Watch Others Play

Does an older sibling have soccer practice? Piano recital? Sometimes, little ones have to watch others play. Learning how to sit tight and enjoy the ride is a great building block for lasting friendships. We can’t always be the star of the show! 

For the next big game or fun little performance at home, give your child a Hey Bestie doll so they have something to enjoy while they watch. Tell them how you and their older sibling are so happy to have an audience. When it’s time to cheer, encourage your little one to clap their doll’s hands, too! The more fun they have while supporting others, the better.  

Friendship skills: 

     😊 Being happy for others 

     ⌛ Patience 

     🔄 Taking turns 

#5 Tell Dolls You’re Sorry

Friends apologize to friends! Learning to say sorry is important for building strong and healthy relationships. It teaches kids to take responsibility for their actions while learning how to empathize with others!  

Encourage your child to apologize to their dolls when something negative happens to them. This can be as simple as dropping them on the floor or forgetting them outside. Pick the doll up gently, give them a hug, and tell them you’re sorry for what happened. Even if it was an accident!

Saying things like, “I’m sorry you’re sad” shows kids that “sorry” is not always an admission of guilt. It’s an amazing way to show empathy—something that will come in handy on the playground.

Friendship skills: 

     ⚖️ Responsibility 

     💕 Empathy 

     📖 Honesty 

A little soft skill practice with the toys you have at home can go a long way in preparing your child for the friendships they’re going to make at school and beyond. Dolls aren’t living, breathing people, but they’re important to the little ones we love. In their eyes, dolls have thoughts, feelings, and personalities—just like real friends!

Want to learn more? Discover the amazing benefits of doll play on the Hey Bestie blog and subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss a thing.  

See you next time!

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