Sibling Play Ideas: A Parent Resource

Why sibling play matters

Siblings don’t need to get along all the time. Conflict is part of their training ground for life. But they do need opportunities to practise teamwork, laughter, and problem-solving. Structured games and activities give them a chance to connect in healthy ways, without parents always stepping in as referees.

Tips for parents

1. Know your children’s tolerance for competition. Use cooperative games if rivalry is high.

2. Side by side activities can lower tension. Each child has their own version of the activity, which often leads to natural cooperation later.

3. Choose activities that promote laughter. Laughter is bonding and helps kids reset.

4. Rotate roles so one child is not always the leader or always the follower.

5. Stay flexible. Not every activity will “work.” Try again another time or just offer food.

Activities that bring siblings together

Funny animal walks

One sibling calls out an animal and everyone must walk like it until someone shouts “change.” Works for all ages. Gets energy out and usually ends in laughter.

Funny face freeze

Each child makes the funniest face they can and holds it without laughing. First one to laugh loses. Great reset activity when moods are tense.

Mad Libs or silly sentences

Kids take turns filling in blanks with random words. The more absurd, the better. Even pre-readers can shout out words for someone else to write.

Drawing games

Try “Exquisite corpse,” where one child draws the head of a creature, another draws the body, and another the legs, without seeing the rest. Reveal the drawing at the end for laughs.

Synchronized drawing

One child leads, others copy their strokes without knowing what the picture will become. Builds patience and awareness of each other.

Build with cups

Give the kids a stack of cups and let them build towers or forts. Knocking them down is part of the fun.

Paper airplanes

Make airplanes and set challenges: who can fly farthest, or can they land in a taped-off “runway.” Younger children can decorate while older fold.

Painting on windows

Using washable paint, let siblings paint on windows or glass doors. Feels a little “naughty,” which makes it engaging.

Clear frame portraits

Children take turns tracing each other’s faces on a sheet of clear plastic. Silly, creative, and cooperative.

Collaborative art

Roll out a giant sheet of paper. Divide it into sections if needed, then bring it together at the end. Encourages teamwork while protecting each child’s space.

Collaborative sculpture

Collect boxes, bottles, and tape. Challenge them to build a robot, house, or vehicle together.

Pulley or bucket system

Tie a bucket to a rope and hang it over a balcony, banister, or tree branch. Kids love sending messages or small toys back and forth.

Sibling trivia

Each child writes down answers to questions like “What is your favourite food?” or “What colour do you like most?” The other guesses. A light way to learn about each other.

Scavenger hunt

Each sibling makes a list of items for the other to find: something shiny, something soft, something blue. Can be played indoors or outdoors.

Memory tray game

Place ten objects on a tray. Let everyone look for one minute, then cover it. Each sibling tries to remember as many as possible.

Balloon toss

Work together to keep a balloon in the air for as long as possible. For more fun, give each child their own balloon or use paper plate paddles.

Cup switch-up

Hide a coin under one of three cups, shuffle them, and guess where it is. Kids can take turns hiding and guessing.

Mean Mommy

Play a version of “Mother May I” where the parent says “no” to everything in a grumpy voice. Kids work together to find requests that finally get a “yes.”

Rescue

One child is “in trouble” (stuck in quicksand, caught by sharks, etc.) and the other invents a rescue. Take turns. Builds imagination and cooperation.

Dizzy Simon Says

Normal Simon Says, but players spin 20 times before following instructions. Guaranteed laughter and wobbling.

Photo scavenger hunt

Hide clues around the house or yard. Take photos of the locations, and kids must match them in order. Older kids can lead, younger ones can hold the camera.

On Top of Spaghetti

Act out the classic song with pillows as meatballs. Silly, physical, and perfect for a rainy day.

Restaurant

Children create menus from paper or magazines, then play server and customer. Good for role-play and turn-taking.

Shadow tracing

On a sunny day, one child strikes a pose while the other traces their shadow with chalk. Then switch.

Pretend camping

Pitch a tent indoors or outside. Add blankets, pillows, and pretend campfire materials. Kids naturally invent their own roles and games.

Movie mash-up

Each child chooses a favourite character from a film and together they create a new story. Absurd and fun.

Cardboard box

Give kids a box, some markers, and maybe foil. They will know what to do.

Obstacle course

Use cushions, chairs, or outdoor items to set up a course. Take turns running it, timing each other, or building variations.

Cooking or baking

Let them measure, stir, or decorate something together. Rotate who chooses the recipe.

Puppet show

Using toys, socks, or paper puppets, let them put on a performance. Older kids can script, younger improvise.

Relay races

Make it silly: hop, crawl, spin, or balance while racing.

Secret handshake or sibling dance

Challenge siblings to invent a handshake or dance routine together.

LEGO challenge

Build the tallest tower, strongest bridge, or a themed creation.

Charades

Act out animals, movies, or everyday actions. Works with all ages.

Final thought

The aim of these activities is not to stop fights forever. It is to give children repeated practice at laughing together, working together, and repairing after conflict. Each game is another rehearsal for the skills they’ll need in every relationship later in life.