Cozy Classroom
Primary
K-2
Upper Elementary
Homeschool Life
Teacher
Talk
Cozy Classroom
Primary
K-2
Upper Elementary
Homeschool Life
Teacher
Talk
Buddy classes are one of those school traditions that stick in our students’ memories long after they’ve moved on to the next grade. Whether you’re pairing big kids with little kids or same-grade buddies, buddy classes create connection, responsibility, and fun. Today, I’m sharing everything you need to know to put a buddy class in place at your school – the benefits, how to facilitate, and all the fun activities they can do together.
There’s a reason buddy classes have stood the test of time in schools. The benefits are huge for our students and for us as teachers. First, buddy classes build community across grade levels. Little kids get the excitement of spending time with “the big kids.” Older students get the pride of being seen as role models.
Buddy classes also support social-emotional learning. Younger students develop confidence and communication skills, while older students practice empathy, leadership, and patience. It’s not just the kids who benefit, either. We, the teachers, love the chance to collaborate and build stronger school connections.
We can’t forget about academics! Pairing our students for reading, writing, STEM, and art activities helps reinforce learning for both groups. Little ones hear and practice new vocabulary, while older students strengthen their comprehension and communication. It’s truly a win-win.
Starting buddy classes doesn’t need to be complicated. First, work with your school team to identify which classes will pair up. Many schools like to match older and younger grades, such as 5th grade with kindergarten, but you can get creative! Once you know your buddy pairs, collaborate with the other teacher to set up a consistent meeting time.
It’s helpful to meet regularly, even just once or twice a month. This way, the buddies build trust and look forward to their time together. If schedules are tight, meeting once a quarter works as well! Decide on a mix of structured activities and free-choice time. You want to make sure you communicate with the other teacher about any behavior expectations ahead of time. A pro tip is to keep activities short and sweet at first, especially early in the year when your students are still getting comfortable.
You’ll also want to think about materials. Do you need extra copies of books, drawing paper, or special supplies? A little prep can go a long way toward making buddy class time run smoothly.
Before your first buddy class meeting, take time to prepare your students. Talk about what buddy classes are, why they’re valuable, and what behaviors are expected. For older students, this is a chance to introduce the idea of mentorship, listening skills, and patience. For younger students, it’s about getting excited and feeling safe.
Plan an introductory activity that’s short, low-pressure, and designed to help buddies get to know each other. You might do a simple interview, an icebreaker game, or a shared drawing. Also, plan how you’ll introduce buddies. Will you assign pairs ahead of time or let your students choose? Keep in mind that assigning can help avoid hurt feelings and make sure everyone is included.
It’s smart to plan a regular schedule for buddy classes. That makes it easier for connections between your class and the buddy class to form. It also makes it easier when planning themed activities to go along with important days or times of the year.
When planning activities, keep in mind:
Co-planning with the other teacher makes a big difference. You don’t need elaborate lessons. Even a 20–30 minute buddy class session can be impactful with the right activity. Another tip is to always have a backup plan in case an activity finishes early or needs adjustment!
Managing buddy classes successfully starts with setting clear expectations. Modeling what it looks like to be a good buddy, like showing kindness, listening, helping, and encouraging, goes a long way. It’s helpful to remind your students that everyone learns and interacts differently. Part of being a good buddy is showing patience and flexibility.
During buddy time, both you and the teacher you’re collaborating with should circulate and check in with pairs. This gives you a chance to offer support and encouragement as needed. It’s also a good idea to reflect afterward, asking your students what they enjoyed, what they learned, and what they’d like to do next time. Celebrating buddy successes, whether through photos, hallway displays, or simple shout-outs in class, reinforces the value of the experience and helps strengthen the relationships even more.
There are so many fun and meaningful activities that buddy classes can do together. One favorite is reading time, especially early in the year when older students can read aloud to the younger ones. As the year goes on, both students can take turns. The younger buddies can use their emergent readers that can be themed around topics like farm animals, circus fun, rocks, or pumpkins. As they read, their buddy offers encouragement and listens attentively.
Every year, my class would “elf” their buddies using my Elf Yourself writing and craft activity. It is the perfect way to build community while also having some holiday fun.
I would begin by connecting with our buddy class teacher to arrange for some time to take photos of the students. Each student would choose the elf design for their buddy. They would decorate the elf and then complete one of the elf writing activities. While the kids love turning their buddies into elves, this is just the beginning.
The fun happens when we sneak into our buddy class while they are at specials. We decorate the classroom or door with the elf creations. Right before they return, we head to the nearest hallway and quietly hide so that we can hear their reactions. It’s amazing how quiet the class can be in the hallway while they wait. Without fail, we will begin hearing things like “Oh, wow!” “That’s awesome!” and “Who did this?” coming from our buddy class. That’s our cue to pop in and confess. It’s a favorite buddy class activity to the kids talk about for the rest of the year.
Crafting together is another favorite, especially around seasonal events. Working on graduation crafts or 100th Day of School crafts gives both groups something to be proud of and creates keepsakes they can take home. Having the older students guide the little ones through cutting, gluing, and decorating builds teamwork and patience, while the finished projects give everyone a sense of accomplishment.
Draw and Write projects are another great option. You can have your students learn to draw something simple together and then do a collaborative writing piece. The younger students might focus on practicing their printing, while the older students add on by writing in cursive or expanding the story. STEM challenges, like building paper airplanes or stacking cups, offer teamwork and problem-solving opportunities that both groups can enjoy.
Other popular activities include board games, movement breaks like Freeze Dance or Simon Says, and seasonal projects like making cards for a local nursing home or decorating kindness rocks. The key is to choose activities that let your students connect, create, and collaborate while keeping things light, fun, and meaningful.
If you’re looking for more inspiration to make your buddy classes a success or just helpful resources in general, be sure to sign up for my newsletter! You’ll get free teaching tips, creative ideas, and freebies delivered straight to your inbox. It’s the perfect way to stay connected and keep your classroom (and buddy classes!) running smoothly all year long.
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Buddy classes are more than just a fun break in the schedule. They’re a way to build schoolwide connections, nurture social-emotional growth, and create joyful learning experiences. With thoughtful preparation, regular scheduling, and a mix of engaging activities, buddy classes can become a highlight of the school year for your students and yourself.
If you’re ready to launch buddy classes at your school, start simple. Focus on building relationships, set clear expectations, and choose activities that let both age groups shine. With a little planning and a lot of heart, you can create a buddy class program that leaves your students smiling and proud. Plus, it gives them memories they’ll carry with them for years to come.
If you’re excited to bring buddy classes to your school or want to gather ideas for the future, don’t forget to save this post for later! Pin it to your favorite teaching or classroom Pinterest board so you can easily come back when you’re ready to plan activities, set up pairings, or find creative projects for your students. You’ll have everything you need to launch meaningful and memorable buddy classes right at your fingertips!
Amy is a former classroom teacher, Teacher of the Year, and presenter of professional development for educators. With two decades of experience in both traditional classrooms and homeschool settings, she loves creating engaging, hands-on activities that turn everyday lessons into what she calls “undercover learning.”
Years ago, I traded the courtroom for the classroom, and I’ve never looked back. I’m passionate about making learning fun through hands-on, interactive activities that keep students engaged and wanting more. Around here, we call that undercover learning. When students are engaged, teaching becomes easier.
Looking for easy ideas that keep students engaged without overcomplicating your day? Join my email list for practical tips, activities, and a little teacher encouragement each week.
