5 Workshop Activities That Teach Girls Empathy and Respect

Help Girls Build Stronger Friendships Through Understanding, Listening, and Kindness

Empathy and respect are at the heart of every healthy friendship—but they don’t always come naturally. Tween girls are still learning how to step into someone else’s shoes, listen with curiosity, and respond with care. That’s why workshops that focus on these core skills are so important.

When girls are given safe, intentional opportunities to reflect, share, and connect, they begin to understand each other—and themselves—on a deeper level. These five activities are designed to help girls practice empathy, express themselves clearly, and treat one another with kindness and respect in real, meaningful ways.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Empathy and respect can be taught, practiced, and strengthened

• Girls thrive in spaces where they feel heard, valued, and emotionally safe

• These activities build emotional awareness, communication skills, and connection

• Teaching empathy helps prevent drama, deepen friendships, and boost self-confidence

1. Walk in Her Shoes: Empathy Scenarios

Create short real-life friendship situations and have girls imagine how each person in the story might feel. For example:

• A girl is left out of a group chat

• Two friends get into a fight and one stops talking to the other

• Someone spreads a rumor that isn’t true
  Ask: How would you feel if you were her? What would you want someone to say or do for you?
  This helps girls connect emotionally to different perspectives and develop deeper compassion.

2. “I Wish You Knew” Sharing Circle

Have girls write down one sentence anonymously starting with: “I wish others knew…” about their thoughts, feelings, or life. Collect the cards and read them aloud (without names). This powerful activity shows how much is going on beneath the surface—and helps girls realize that everyone is carrying something.

Follow up with a discussion about how empathy means being gentle with each other—even when we can’t see the whole story.

3. Respect Roleplay Scenarios

Present common situations where respect might be challenged—like interrupting, teasing, not including someone, or spreading secrets. Ask girls to act out both the unhelpful and helpful responses. Let them experiment with tone, body language, and word choice.

Afterward, reflect together: What felt respectful? What could have been handled better?
Roleplay allows girls to try out real-life communication in a safe, supportive space.

4. Empathy Through Art: Inside-Out Portraits

Have girls draw two self-portraits—one showing how others might see them on the outside, and one revealing how they feel on the inside. Then, invite volunteers to share. Discuss how we often judge others based on what we see without knowing their full story.

This activity builds emotional depth, breaks down assumptions, and opens up meaningful conversations about identity, vulnerability, and respect.

5. Active Listening Pairs

Pair girls up and give each person two minutes to share a story, thought, or feeling—while their partner simply listens without interrupting. When they’re done, the listener reflects back what they heard using phrases like:
“What I heard you say was…”
“That sounds really important to you because…”
Then they switch roles. This teaches presence, patience, and how to truly hear someone without judgment or fixing.

Ready to lead a workshop that helps girls grow more compassionate, confident, and connected? The Real Friends, Real You Workshop Kit is filled with ready-to-go resources that support emotional growth, friendship skills, and real conversations that stick. With journaling prompts, empathy-based activities, group discussion starters, and printable tools, you’ll be fully equipped to guide girls through their social-emotional journey with confidence and heart.

You’re doing such important work—and these tools will help you make it even more impactful. Let me know which activity your girls loved most!

-Kate