International friendship day: 6 classroom activities for July 30

Build friendships through a shared activity

A shared story, game or creative task gives students a way to get to know people beyond their usual circle. With a partner class, they can discover what they enjoy and what they have in common. Begin with a short activity, or let the exchange grow into a longer project.

Two project ideas to explore

Friendship around the world

Friendship around the world brings students aged 6-8, 9-12 and 13-15 together over four weeks to share stories, songs, games and crafts. Choose a teacher-led activity that suits your class, then invite partners to share what they made and ask a question about one another's work.

Celebrating International Friendship Day: Building Bridges Across Borders

Students explore friendship, culture and belonging over a four-week project. Groups can begin with shared interests, prepare stories or cultural presentations, and finish with a joint showcase. Add a short reflection about what they learned from someone else.

Six international friendship day activities

The times below are starting estimates. Choose a task that fits your class and allow extra time for a partner class to reply.

1. Listen and retell

Ages 6-13. About 20 minutes. Materials: a story prompt or picture cards.

In pairs, students share a story about something they enjoy. Their partner retells one detail and asks a question. Offer a fictional example so nobody has to share a private friendship experience.

Check whether students can recall what their partner said. Use pictures or sentence starters, or let older students explain what helped them listen.

2. Find a shared interest

Ages 9-19. About 20 minutes. Materials: paper or a teacher-managed shared document.

Students list a few games, books, sports or other interests they choose to share. Small groups find one interest in common and one difference. A partner class can add its own examples before groups reply.

Make a short group introduction that includes both. Give a choice of topics for support; extend the task by asking how groups can include someone with a different interest.

3. Teach a simple game

Ages 6-15. About 25 minutes. Materials: the items needed for a student-chosen game.

Ask groups to explain a game in a few clear steps. Try the game in class, then share the instructions with another classroom. Compare which parts were easy to follow and which needed a picture or example.

Keep the revised instructions as evidence of clear communication. Offer a numbered template, or ask older learners to adapt the game for different spaces or abilities.

4. Make a friendship message

Ages 6-13. About 25 minutes. Materials: paper, drawing tools or optional bracelet materials.

Students make a card, drawing or bracelet with a kind message. Discuss what makes the message specific and welcoming. Share class-level messages with a partner classroom rather than publishing personal contact details.

Ask students to explain their chosen message. Allow symbols or dictated text; older learners can compare how the same message might be understood in different contexts.

5. Create a friendship showcase

Ages 10-19. About 40 minutes, plus time for another class to respond. Materials: paper or a teacher-managed presentation.

Groups create a page with a story, tradition, drawing or photo they are allowed to share. Combine the pages with a partner class and invite questions. Celebrate the range of contributions rather than choosing a "best" friendship story.

Check that every group contributes and replies to a question. Offer a page template; extend the task with captions, translations or a comparison of perspectives.

6. Choose one kind action

Ages 6-19. About 15 minutes. Materials: paper or a class reflection board.

Ask what helped everyone feel included during the activity. Each group chooses one action to try next time, such as inviting another voice or explaining a rule more clearly. Revisit the action after the next exchange.

Record the action and one example of using it. Younger learners can draw their idea; older learners can explain what they would change and why.

Plan a simple exchange

• Choose one activity and one piece of work students will share.
• Agree the language, dates and response format with the partner teacher. A recorded or written exchange can work when lesson times differ.
• Let students choose what they share. Use teacher-managed communication and follow school rules for permissions, photos and recordings.
• Offer drawings, sentence starters, paired rehearsal or translation support so students can take part.
• Finish with one thing students learned and one question they still have.

What students can practise

• Listening and intercultural communication: ask, explain and respond with care.
• Empathy and global awareness: notice another person's experience without assuming everyone shares it.
• Collaboration: share roles and make something together.
• Critical thinking: reflect on assumptions and choose a useful next action.

Look at the work students produce and their responses to one another. These activities offer practice; taking part alone does not prove that a skill has improved.

The date and history of the day

The UN General Assembly proclaimed the International Day of Friendship in resolution 65/275, adopted on May 3, 2011. It designates July 30 and encourages friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals. The resolution recalls the 1999 Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.

The purpose is broader than celebrating with existing friends: it includes building understanding across communities. The activities above give students a small, practical way to explore that idea.

You can connect the work to peace, inclusion and partnerships in your teaching. Browse the SDG calendar for other days that fit your class.