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Key Takeaways:
- Kids build leadership skills through hands-on practice.
- Simple games and activities can make learning about leadership fun.
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Leadership grows through practice. Kids don’t need titles or awards to start their leadership journey. They just need simple ways to speak up, solve problems, and help others. That’s where leadership activities for kids come in.
One study involving kindergarten children found that role-play helps reveal signs of leadership at a young age. Researchers observed how kids acted during the activities and found that many already showed natural leadership behaviors [*].
Another program for 6–7-year-olds showed that kids can build leadership skills through guided activities focused on understanding what leadership means, improving communication skills, and practicing how to organize and lead group tasks [*].
10 Leadership Games and Activities for Kids
These leadership games and activities build real-life skills like teamwork, decision-making, and empathy in a fun way.
1. Scavenger Hunt
This fast-paced group game encourages teamwork and helps kids practice taking charge. Leaders organize their teams and guide them through a list of clues.
What kids will learn:
- Teamwork
- Clear communication
- Decision-making
How to it works:
- Split kids into small teams.
- Hand each team a set of clues.
- Pick one child to lead each group.
- The leader reads the clues, assigns roles, and keeps everyone on track.
- Let them rotate leadership roles halfway through.
Ask: What helped the leader keep the team focused? What made it hard?
2. Human Knot
This physical challenge teaches leadership through calm communication and patience. Kids must rely on verbal direction to untangle their group.
What kids will learn:
- Problem-solving
- Verbal communication
- Group coordination
How it works:
- Ask the group to form a circle.
- Each child grabs hands with two others across from them.
- One child gives directions to help untangle the group.
- Switch leaders and repeat.
Ask: What made the leader effective? What would help the next leader succeed?
3. Lead the Blindfolded
This trust-building activity requires clear instructions and thoughtful guidance. Kids lead blindfolded partners through a short course using only their words.
What kids will learn:
- Giving clear instructions
- Focus and responsibility
- Building trust
How it works:
- Pair up the kids.
- One partner wears a blindfold.
- The other gives verbal directions to guide them through a simple obstacle path.
- Let them switch roles and try again.
Ask: What made the instructions clear? What caused confusion?
4. Storytelling Charades
Storytelling charades is a game where kids act out a story or sequence of events without speaking. In this activity, kids plan and act out a short story together. One child steps in as the director and leads the team.
What kids will learn:
- Creative leadership
- Planning
- Supporting a team
How it works:
- Choose a simple story or let the kids create one.
- The director assigns roles and helps the group plan the scene.
Ask: How did the director support the team? What was challenging?
5. Marvin’s Mystery
Mystery-solving teaches children to work toward a common goal. Kids solve a light mystery as a team. One child takes the lead and keeps the group focused on solving the clues.
What kids will learn:
- Leading group discussions
- Staying organized
- Guiding a team
How it works:
- Create a simple mystery: a missing item, a lost pet, or a mix-up in class.
- Give out clues.
- Assign one lead investigator. They manage the group’s questions and ideas.
Ask: How did the leader help the group stay focused? What made the solution work?
6. Public Speaking
Leaders need to speak clearly and inspire others. Speaking in front of others helps kids grow confident. Short talks let them practice being clear and expressive.
What kids will learn:
- Speaking clearly
- Expressing ideas
- Staying calm under pressure
How it works:
- Let each child speak for 1–2 minutes. They can talk about a favorite food, toy, or story.
Give feedback: Did they speak loudly? Make eye contact? Stay on topic?
7. Community Service
Kids lead by helping others. Community service involves talking to new people, solving problems, and working with others. Let them choose a cause, plan a small project, and follow through.
What kids will learn:
- Responsibility
- Leading by example
- Taking initiative
How it works:
- Ask kids what problems they care about.
- Help them plan a small project, such as writing cards, picking up trash, or collecting donations. Let kids lead each step.
Ask: What did you learn by taking action? What would you do differently?
8. Peer Mentoring
Peer mentoring is when kids help and support others. It’s like having a buddy who’s a little more experienced or trained to offer guidance, encouragement, or help solving problems.
What kids will learn:
- Patience
- Encouragement
- Quiet leadership
How it works:
- Pair older and younger kids.
- Let the older ones assist with books, puzzles, crafts, or other hands-on activities.
- Their job is to support and listen.
Ask: What helped your partner feel comfortable? What did you learn about yourself?
9. Role-playing scenarios
In role-play, kids can see situations from different points of view and develop problem-solving skills. Kids act out real-life situations and lead the response. They test different ways to solve problems and support others.
What kids will learn:
- Decision-making
- Empathy
- Handling social challenges
How it works:
- Pick a real scenario: a classmate feels left out, a friend breaks a rule, or a new kid needs help.
- Let kids act out different responses.
- Rotate roles so everyone gets a chance to lead.
Ask: What worked, and what didn’t? What would you try in real life?
10. Class meetings
Weekly meetings let kids take turns leading. They guide conversations, listen to input, and keep things on track.
What kids will learn:
- Running a meeting
- Listening to others
- Speaking up respectfully
How it works:
- Hold short weekly meetings.
- Let one child lead each time.
- Use a simple agenda: greetings, one topic, and a wrap-up.
- Use a checklist to help them stay on track.
Ask: What made the meeting work well? What can the next leader improve?
The Bottom Line
Leadership starts when kids get real chances to practice. These activities give them the space to speak up, listen, plan, and take action.
Strong leaders lead by example, show empathy, and make decisions when needed. If your child needs a reminder of these key leadership traits, the All About Leadership Skills worksheet is a great tool to have.
For more worksheets supporting leadership, you can browse our growth mindset posters collection and social skills worksheets collection.
References:
- Jadidi, N. A. (2024). REVEALING THE LEADERSHIP IDENTITY OF KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN THROUGH ROLE-PLAYING ACTIVITIES. Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University, 59(1). https://doi.org/10.35741/issn.0258-2724.59.1.1
- Savenkova, T. D., Karpova, S. I., Sukhova, E. I., & Khodakova, N. P. (2020). The development of leadership qualities in 6-7-Year-Old children in the process of joint activities. SHS Web of Conferences, 79, 04002. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20207904002
