Real-life examples of empathy-building activities for siblings

Everyday examples of empathy-building activities for siblings

Let’s start where you live: the daily chaos. Some of the best examples of empathy-building activities for siblings are tiny things you can tuck into routines you already have.

One powerful example of an empathy-building activity is a “Feelings Round” at dinner. Each person, parents included, shares one good thing and one hard thing from their day. Then, instead of jumping in with advice, everyone has to say one sentence that shows they heard the other person. For siblings, that might sound like, “You were really embarrassed when your friend ignored you” or “You felt left out when I got to pick the show.” It’s short, but it trains them to listen and reflect feelings instead of dismissing them.

Another everyday example: “Help Your Sibling First” moments. Once or twice a week, you intentionally ask one child to help the other before doing their own thing. Maybe your older child helps the younger one find their shoes, or your younger child brings a water bottle to the older one studying. You name it out loud: “That was kind. You noticed your brother was stressed and helped him.” Over time, these mini-acts become habits.

These may sound small, but research on social-emotional learning shows that repeated, simple interactions help kids build empathy and emotional skills over time (Harvard Center on the Developing Child).

Play-based examples of empathy-building activities for siblings

Play is your secret weapon. Kids learn best when they’re having fun, which is why some of the best examples of empathy-building activities for siblings look more like games than “lessons.”

A favorite example of an empathy-building activity is “Switch Roles Day: Mini Edition.” For just 15–30 minutes, siblings swap roles in a playful way. The older sibling pretends to be the younger one who needs help with zippers or reading; the younger sibling pretends to be the older one who has extra homework or more chores. You guide them with prompts like, “If you were the little sister right now, what would you want help with?” and “If you were the big brother, how would you feel if everyone expected you to be perfect?” This kind of perspective-taking is exactly what empathy is built on.

Another playful example: “Emotion Charades… with a twist.” Instead of just guessing “happy” or “angry,” you add a sibling context. One child acts out, “How you feel when your brother breaks your Lego set,” or “How you feel when your sister shares her favorite snack.” The other sibling guesses the feeling, then you ask, “Have you ever felt that way because of something your sibling did?” This connects emotions directly to their relationship.

For younger kids, you can try “Stuffed Animal Court.” A favorite stuffed animal “complains” about something that happened between the siblings. For example, “I’m Teddy, and I’m sad because my brother didn’t let me join the game.” Each child suggests how Teddy might feel and what could help. This gives them practice talking about conflict in a lower-pressure, playful way.

Storytelling examples of empathy-building activities for siblings

Stories are one of the most powerful examples of empathy-building activities for siblings because they let kids safely explore big feelings.

One simple example: “Same Story, Two Sides.” After a conflict (once everyone is calm), you ask each sibling to tell the story of what happened—but from the other sibling’s point of view. You might say, “Tell me what happened as if you were your sister.” They don’t have to get it perfect; the goal is to try. Then you gently correct any big misses: “I think your brother actually felt more embarrassed than angry.” This helps them see that the same event can feel very different to two people.

Another example is reading books that highlight sibling relationships and pausing to ask empathy questions. As you read, you ask, “How do you think the big sister feels right now?” or “What do you think the little brother wishes would happen?” The American Academy of Pediatrics and other experts recommend shared reading as a powerful tool for building emotional skills and language (HealthyChildren.org, AAP). When you add those questions, you’re turning a bedtime story into an empathy-building activity.

For older kids, you can try “What Would You Text?” You describe a tricky situation—like a friend leaving someone out, or a teammate making fun of a mistake—and ask, “If your sibling texted you about this, what would you say back?” They craft a supportive text. Then you flip it: “If you were the one upset, what would you hope your sibling would text you?” This helps them think about being a source of comfort.

Real examples of empathy-building activities for siblings in daily routines

If you don’t have time to set up long activities, you’re not alone. Some of the most realistic examples of empathy-building activities for siblings are tiny tweaks to routines you already have.

One real-life example: “Morning Check-In.” While everyone’s getting ready, you ask, “On a scale of 1–5, how’s your mood this morning?” Siblings listen to each other’s number and one feeling word. If someone says, “I’m a 2, I’m tired,” you can ask, “What’s one small thing we could do to help a 2 feel a little better?” Maybe a sibling offers to grab their backpack or let them pick the music. It’s fast, but it trains kids to notice and respond to each other’s emotional state.

Another example: “Fairness vs. Sameness” talks during chores or car rides. When one child complains, “It’s not fair! He gets more screen time!” you pause and say, “Let’s practice empathy: If you were your brother, how would you see this situation?” Then you explain that fair doesn’t always mean identical—maybe the older child has more homework and less free time, so their schedule looks different. This doesn’t magically end complaints, but it does build understanding.

You can also turn apologies into empathy practice. Instead of forced, mumbled “sorrys,” you coach them through a three-step script:

• “I’m sorry for…” (naming the action)
• “I think you felt…” (naming the feeling)
• “Next time I’ll…” (naming a different choice)

For example: “I’m sorry for grabbing your tablet. I think you felt disrespected. Next time I’ll ask first.” This is a practical example of an empathy-building activity for siblings that doesn’t require any extra time—just a different way of doing what you already do.

Collaborative examples of empathy-building activities for siblings

When siblings work toward a shared goal, they have to notice each other’s strengths and frustrations. That’s why some of the best examples of empathy-building activities for siblings are collaborative projects.

One strong example: “Team Mission” chores. Instead of assigning each child separate tasks, you give them a shared mission with a clear time limit: “You have 15 minutes to turn this living room from ‘disaster’ to ‘guest-ready.’” Then you add an empathy twist: before they start, each sibling says what kind of help they need. One might say, “I get overwhelmed when there’s a lot of stuff. Can you do the counters while I do the floor?” The other might say, “I hate folding blankets. Can you swap with me?” They’re learning to express needs and listen to each other.

Another example is cooking together with roles. One child is “Head Chef,” the other is “Sous Chef,” and they trade roles each time. You ask the Head Chef to explain the plan kindly and check in: “Is that job okay for you?” The Sous Chef can say, “I don’t like touching raw eggs; can I measure instead?” This builds not just empathy, but leadership skills and negotiation.

For families who enjoy creative projects, try “Build a World Together.” Siblings design a pretend world—using blocks, cardboard boxes, or just a drawn map. Each child gets to add places that matter to them (a soccer field, a library, a pet park) and then must explain why it matters. The other sibling has to respond with something like, “So that’s important to you because…” This activity blends creativity with perspective-taking.

Screen-time examples of empathy-building activities for siblings (yes, really)

In 2024–2025, screens are part of most kids’ lives, so it makes sense to include digital examples of empathy-building activities for siblings instead of pretending devices don’t exist.

One example: co-op video games with an empathy rule. When siblings play a cooperative game, you add a simple guideline: before starting a new level, each player says one thing they’ll do to support the other (“I’ll protect you when the enemies show up,” “I’ll share extra lives”). After the game, you ask, “What did you do that helped your sibling?” and “What did they do that helped you?” This turns gaming into a chance to notice and appreciate each other.

Another example is watching a show together with an empathy pause. During or after an episode, ask, “If you were the little sister in this show, how would you feel right now?” or “Who do you feel more sympathy for in this scene, and why?” According to child development experts, asking kids to reflect on characters’ emotions can boost empathy and social understanding (NIH / NCBI research on media and social-emotional learning).

For older kids and tweens, you can introduce “Scroll and Reflect.” When they’re both on their devices, you occasionally ask them to each show one post or video that made them feel something—happy, annoyed, jealous, inspired. The other sibling guesses the feeling and says, “I’d feel ___ if I saw that too.” It’s a low-pressure way to connect over their digital worlds.

When empathy-building activities for siblings don’t go perfectly

Let’s be honest: even the best examples of empathy-building activities for siblings will not turn your kids into instant angels. Sometimes they’ll roll their eyes, refuse to participate, or turn the activity into a competition.

That doesn’t mean it’s failing.

Think of empathy-building like brushing teeth: you don’t judge it by one night; you judge it by the habit. The goal is not a conflict-free home. The goal is to slowly raise kids who can:

• Recognize their own feelings
• Notice someone else’s feelings
• Pause (even for a second) before reacting

If an activity goes sideways, you can still mine it for a tiny win. Maybe they laughed together once. Maybe one sibling said, “I get it” for half a second. Those are signs it’s working.

If you’re worried about intense sibling rivalry, constant aggression, or behavior that feels bigger than “normal fighting,” it can be helpful to talk with your pediatrician or a child mental health professional. The CDC offers guidance on children’s behavior and development that can help you decide when to seek extra support (CDC Child Development).

FAQ: Real-world questions about empathy-building activities for siblings

What are some simple examples of empathy-building activities for siblings I can start today?
You can start with a quick “Feelings Round” at dinner, a 1–5 morning mood check-in, or having kids tell “the story from your sibling’s point of view” after a conflict. These are easy examples of empathy-building activities for siblings that fit into everyday life without needing supplies or planning.

Can you give an example of an empathy-building question I can ask during a fight?
Once everyone is calm (that part matters), you might ask, “If you were your sister right now, what do you think she’s feeling?” or “If your brother could use only one word to describe how he feels, what would it be?” These questions are a simple example of guiding kids toward perspective-taking instead of just assigning blame.

How often should I do these empathy-building activities?
You don’t need a daily formal activity. Think of two or three moments a day where you can add an empathy question, a reflection (“You looked really disappointed when your brother took that toy”), or a quick check-in. Over weeks and months, those repeated, small examples of empathy-building activities for siblings add up.

What if one sibling is much older than the other? Do these examples still work?
Yes, but you’ll adapt the language. With a big age gap, you might ask the older child questions like, “What do you remember feeling at that age?” and the younger one, “What do you like most about your big sister?” Activities like cooking together, playing co-op games, or reading to the younger sibling are all strong examples of empathy-building activities for siblings with different ages.

Do I have to join every activity, or can siblings do this on their own?
At first, you’ll probably need to guide and model. Over time, siblings can start using pieces on their own—like saying, “Tell it from my side” as a joke, or offering help when they notice a “2 out of 5” mood. Your presence early on makes it more likely they’ll eventually internalize these real examples of empathy-building activities and use them independently.

If you pick even one or two of these ideas and repeat them regularly, you’re already doing the work. Empathy grows slowly, but it does grow—especially when kids get to practice it with the people they fight with the most and love the hardest: their siblings.