Compliment Jar Family Game Night
Write compliments for each family member and read them aloud from a jar — building positive relationships and affirming language skills.
What You'll Need
- 1Small strips of paper
- 2Pens, pencils, or crayons
- 3A jar or container
- 4Stickers for decoration (optional)
What You'll Need
Small strips of paper (cut up printer paper works great)
Pens, pencils, or crayons
A jar, bowl, or container
Stickers for decorating the jar (optional)
How to Play
Give each family member strips of paper and something to write with.
Explain the activity: "We're each going to write something nice about every person in our family!"
Help younger children brainstorm: "What do you love about your brother? What is mommy good at?"
Write one compliment per strip. For non-writers, they can dictate while you write.
Fold all the slips and drop them into the jar.
Take turns pulling a slip and reading the compliment out loud.
Try to guess who wrote it, then reveal. Celebrate every kind word.
Why It Works
Positive affirmation from family members is deeply powerful for children's self-concept. When a sibling says "I like playing with you," it means something different than when a parent says it. Writing compliments requires perspective-taking ("What does this person value? What are they good at?") and receiving them practices gracious acceptance. The jar format makes it a game, and the anonymity adds excitement. Many families keep the jar and add to it over time.
Tips
Model specific compliments rather than generic ones. "You're really brave when you try new foods" hits harder than "You're nice."
If a child writes something silly ("I like daddy's farts"), laugh and accept it. The spirit of saying something about someone else is what matters.
Keep the jar out and add compliments throughout the week. Read them together at family dinner on Sundays.
This is a wonderful Thanksgiving or holiday tradition that can grow year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 20 min, with 5 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: small strips of paper, pens, pencils, or crayons, a jar or container, stickers for decoration (optional).
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 3-6 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
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