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As teachers, we know the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL) for elementary students—but finding time to add “one more thing” can feel impossible. The good news? SEL doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. These quick, low-prep activities fit easily into your day and help build a strong, kind, and connected classroom community.
Here are 10 of my favorite quick and easy SEL activities for elementary students you can start using right away:
A simple structure—like a greeting, share, and quick activity—helps students ease into the day feeling calm, connected, and ready to learn. For example, a check-in question like “How are you feeling today?” or “What’s one thing you’re looking forward to?” gives every student a voice.
If you want everything ready to go, my Morning Meeting Slides include 280 share prompts, plus greetings and activities for every month.
Why It Works: Morning Meeting builds community from the moment students walk in. When kids feel seen, heard, and part of something bigger, it sets a positive tone for the whole day.
Have students take turns giving kind compliments to a classmate. It boosts confidence and helps students notice the good in others. You can even do this once a week as part of your routine.
Why It Works: Genuine praise from peers helps students build self-esteem and learn to recognize kindness in action.
There’s something powerful about creating something together. My collaborative coloring posters a favorite in my classroom. Each student colors one piece, and when you put them all together, it’s a visual reminder that kindness matters—and we’re better as a team. I have one for Kindness and for Teamwork!
Why It Works: It promotes teamwork, responsibility, and pride in contributing to a shared classroom goal—without needing a lot of prep time.
Present quick social situations and ask students how they would handle them. It builds empathy and decision-making in real time.
Why It Works: Kids practice perspective-taking in a safe, low-stakes way, building social awareness and problem-solving skills.
Keep a jar in your classroom for students to drop in notes about what they’re thankful for. Read a few aloud each week.
Why It Works: Practicing gratitude helps students focus on the positive, develop empathy, and appreciate others in their daily lives.
Yes, it’s fun—but it also teaches self-control, focus, and turn-taking. Students gently toss a ball around the room without talking. One noise? You’re out!
Why It Works: It gives students a brain break while reinforcing patience, mindfulness, and body awareness—all key SEL skills.
Give students a daily or weekly goal like “Say something kind to someone you don’t usually talk to” or “Write a thank-you note.” It builds habits of empathy.
Why It Works: Repetition turns kindness into a habit. Students start looking for opportunities to help and connect with others.
Use simple cards with emotions written or drawn on them. Students act them out while classmates guess, helping build emotional vocabulary and awareness.
Why It Works: Students learn to name and recognize emotions in themselves and others—an essential part of self-awareness and empathy.
Start the day by saying one positive statement aloud as a class, like “We are ready to learn” or “Today is a fresh start.” It takes less than a minute but sets a positive tone and helps students begin the day with confidence.
Why It Works: A shared positive message helps students feel encouraged, supported, and emotionally ready for the day.
Pair students up and give them a few fun questions to ask each other. It’s a great way to practice listening skills and build connections—especially early in the year.
Why It Works: Students get to know classmates they may not usually talk to, fostering new friendships and a more inclusive environment.
If you’re short on time but still want to make space for meaningful social-emotional learning, these three resources can help:
This hands-on, whole-class activity is a student favorite. Each child colors a piece of the “choose kind” poster, and when assembled, it becomes a powerful visual reminder of what your classroom stands for—kindness, community, and connection. It’s perfect for back to school, World Kindness Day, or anytime you want to build classroom morale.
Grab the Kindness Collaborative Poster HERE
Kickstart your day with ready-to-go greetings, share prompts, and activities that foster trust, empathy, and teamwork. With over 280 questions, 55 greetings, and 70 simple games, these slides help you build classroom community without scrambling to come up with ideas each morning.
These low-prep Morning Meeting Slides make it simple to incorporate SEL into your daily routine—without adding to your to-do list.
Grab the Morning Meeting Slides HERE!
This teamwork collaborative poster is a great way to kick off a new group project, build community at the start of the year, or wrap up a lesson on cooperation. Each student colors a piece, and when the class assembles it, they’ve created something together—literally and figuratively.
Grab the Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork Collaborative Poster HERE
Adding just a few minutes of SEL activities for elementary students each day can make a big difference. If you’re looking for low-prep ways to get started, check out my Morning Meeting Slides or Choose Kindness Collaborative Coloring Poster. Both are easy to implement and help students feel seen, valued, and connected.
Because when kids feel safe and supported—they’re ready to learn.
I have a FREE reading comprehension worksheet for you! It’s a color by number reading passage.
(You can learn more about these HERE!).
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Hey there, I’m Kelly! I I love helping teachers save time with technology and resources so they have more hours in the day to spend with family and friends. Take a look around to find new ideas that you can implement in your classroom today!
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