Social skills play a vital role in the development of children. From making new friends to learning how to work well with others, they’re great skills to continue progressing throughout childhood and beyond!
At PGL’s outdoor adventure camps, kids get involved in a variety of outdoor activities and challenges that help boost their social skills through teamwork, communication and cooperation.
How outdoor adventure camps build social skills
Supports their communicational development
It’s essential to teach kids how to build social skills, starting with communication, so they can express themselves, share ideas, and feel confident in being who they truly are! When children have the freedom and self-assurance to engage with others and let their voices be heard, they’ll naturally continue to grow and thrive socially as they get older.
Encourages them to make friends
If you’re wondering how to build social skills for your kids then this is probably a key area to focus on. Encouraging your kids to experience situations where they can make friends, whether that’s at school or at camp, will only further improve their social skills as they continue to build more relationships. It provides plenty of opportunities for your kids to interact and engage with others!
Promotes empathy
Helping kids understand empathy is a brilliant way to improve their social skills. But why? Teaching children to view situations from someone else’s perspective helps them develop a deeper connection with others. By learning to appreciate different viewpoints, they become better at handling social interactions and resolving conflicts.
Teaches teamwork & cooperation
Through team games, collaborative challenges, and activities, children learn to communicate effectively, work together, and build trust with their peers. For example, activities like problem-solving tasks or obstacle courses require kids to pool their ideas, delegate roles, and support one another to succeed—all key elements of teamwork and cooperation.
3 social skill activities for children at PGL
Now that we’ve explored how outdoor camps foster the development of social skills, let’s take a closer look at some adventure activities your kids can participate in. that encourage the development of social skills.
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Crate Challenge
Wearing harnesses and attached to safety ropes, teams must work out how to build the tallest tower using just crates, as well as finding a way to put two teammates at the top! This challenge requires lots of communication and cooperation to identify the best way to approach it and beat the other teams.
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Problem-Solving
Everyone’s mind works differently, which is why this activity is a fantastic place to develop social skills. Working in teams to solve a puzzle highlights the value of collaboration, as each team member’s ideas are important—someone might have a brilliant solution to crack the code. The question is, which team will win against the clock?
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Buggy Build
This activity relies on teamwork to succeed. Teams must build a moving buggy using only the materials provided. They must communicate with each other to decide how they are going to create their buggy, what materials they need, and determine the roles for building it. Once complete, it’s then time to test the buggies against each other in a series of challenges. Communication at its finest!
Why are social skills important for children?
Beyond simply knowing how to build social skills, it’s crucial to understand why these are so important in both personal and professional settings. Strong interpersonal skills enable children—and adults alike—to communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and navigate social situations with ease. Keep reading to find out exactly why they benefit children as they grow.
Grows confidence
Good social skills can significantly increase a child’s confidence. When kids feel comfortable interacting with others, it empowers them to express their thoughts, ask questions, and share ideas. This sense of assurance translates into other areas of life, helping them tackle challenges with ease and adapt to new environments without hesitation. For example, a relay race can help children gain confidence as they contribute to their team’s success.
Fosters friendships
Pre-school, nursery, primary school, and secondary school are where most friendships are formed. Even from an early age, socialisation helps children build emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication skills, laying the foundation for healthy relationships as they grow into toddlers, teenagers, and eventually adults. Overall, strong social skills make it easier for children to connect with others, whether at school, on a sports team, or even during icebreaker activities at the beginning of our adventure camps.
Improves communication
Good communication is at the heart of why social skills are important. From talking to family members and friends, and engaging with teachers in the classroom to simply playing a game of tag, social skills improve the way children express themselves and understand others. Being able to communicate effectively not only strengthens relationships but also enhances learning and collaboration.
Build your child’s social skills on a PGL adventure holiday
Want to know how to build social skills for your kids? Outdoor adventure camps are one way! At PGL, we have a range of adventure-filled camps over the school holidays, including multi-activity holidays, Aqua Explorer, Adrenaline Quest and more.
You can also browse all of our children’s adventure holidays here. Don’t forget to read our blog for some more reasons why outdoor adventure camps are so great for kids.
So, get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today to see how we can help. It’s never too late to book!
