7 Connection-Building Activities for Tween Girls’ Groups

Create Belonging, Build Trust, and Strengthen Sisterhood

Connection is the heart of any girls’ group. Before confidence can grow, before girls can speak up or be themselves, they need to feel like they belong. Tween girls especially crave safe spaces where they can share, laugh, and know they’re not alone. And when they feel connected? That’s when the magic happens.

Whether you’re a mentor, educator, coach, or club leader, these simple and fun connection-building activities are perfect for strengthening friendships, encouraging kindness, and creating a group vibe that feels inclusive, joyful, and real.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Connection is the foundation of a strong, empowering girls’ group

• Simple activities can help girls feel seen, accepted, and included

• Creating consistent moments of joy, sharing, and kindness builds trust and belonging

• When girls feel safe with each other, their confidence grows from the inside out

1. The Common Ground Game

Have girls stand in a circle. Read statements like “Step in if you’ve ever felt nervous at school,” or “Step in if you love animals,” or “Step in if you’ve ever felt left out.” Girls step into the circle when it applies to them, then step back out. It’s a visual way to show: You’re not alone.

This activity sparks empathy and builds a foundation of shared understanding.

2. Compliment Chain

One girl starts by turning to the person next to her and giving a genuine compliment. That girl then turns to the next, and so on. When it comes full circle, the final girl gives a compliment back to the first. It’s simple, powerful, and leaves everyone feeling lifted.

Encourage compliments that go beyond appearance—focus on kindness, leadership, and personality traits.

3. Connection Cards Conversation Game

Create (or have girls create) a set of cards with fun and meaningful questions like:
What’s your dream job?
What makes you feel brave?
If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Let girls take turns drawing and answering. This creates space for laughter and heart-to-heart sharing.

Bonus: Have each girl decorate her own card to contribute to the group deck.

4. Friendship Web

Grab a ball of yarn. One girl starts by holding the end of the yarn and tossing the ball to someone else while saying something she appreciates about her. Each girl continues, creating a beautiful web of kind words and connection.

When it’s done, pause to reflect on how everyone is literally and emotionally connected.

5. “I Am, I Feel, I Wish” Journaling Circle

Give girls three prompts to respond to:

• I am... (a statement about who they are)

• I feel... (an emotion they’re experiencing today)

• I wish... (a hope for themselves or their friendships)
  They can journal privately or share aloud, depending on comfort level. This helps girls develop emotional awareness and empathy for others.

6. Inside-Outside Portraits

Girls draw a self-portrait: one side shows how they believe others see them, and the other side shows how they truly feel inside. Then, they share (if they choose) and reflect on what’s real, what’s hidden, and what they wish more people knew.

This activity fosters vulnerability and deeper self-connection within a supportive group.

7. The “You Matter” Affirmation Circle

Each girl writes her name at the top of a sheet of paper and passes it around. Every person writes one kind word, strength, or reason why that girl matters. When the paper returns to its owner, she reads all the affirmations written just for her.

This is always a tearjerker—in the best way. It reminds girls of their worth through the eyes of their peers.

Ready to deepen the connection in your girls’ group and create a safe space for real, meaningful friendships to grow? The Real Friends, Real You Workshop Kit is packed with powerful connection-building activities, reflection prompts, discussion starters, and printable resources to help girls feel safe, seen, and supported—right from the very first session.

This kit makes it easy to lead conversations that matter and create a circle where every girl feels like she belongs. You’ve got the heart—this gives you the tools. Which activity are you most excited to try? Let me know how it lights up your group!

-Kate