Belonging scenarios for kids: 11 situations about fitting in

By the Life Scenario team · Updated · For children 6–14

These 11 situations are about fitting in without losing yourself: being the new player on a close team, a new group that mocks kids who study, friends who rename you because your name is “too hard”. Read one and ask what your child would keep and what they would change.

Belonging and identity go together here, and the game scores them as one skill, Belonging & Identity. Most of these scenarios ask a child to join a group, or welcome someone into one, while staying themselves.

The scenarios were written by the Life Scenario team together with child psychologists, and each one appears here exactly as it does in the game. To make a free printable, use your browser’s Print command: the page prints as a plain list.

All 11 belonging scenarios

  1. Project Mix Mash!

    Ages 6–10

    Your teacher puts you in a group for a big project, but everyone already seems to have friends in the group except you. They start talking about plans from last year that you don’t know about. You want to join your old group because you know them. What do you do?

    Also practises: courage, self-control, relationship skills

    Practise this one: Project Mix Mash!

  2. Friendships choices

    Ages 6–14

    A new student sits alone at lunch. You want to sit with your usual group, but you also don’t want the new kid to feel left out. What do you do?

    Also practises: empathy, courage

    Practise this one: Friendships choices

  3. Cool Kids Club Leaves Classmates Feeling Left Out

    Ages 8–14

    Someone tells you that there is a 'cool kids' chat and only certain people are a part of it. You haven't been included. You feel left out. What do you do?

    Also practises: relationship skills, social awareness, self-control

    Practise this one: Cool Kids Club Leaves Classmates Feeling Left Out

  4. New Player, Old Team?

    Ages 8–14

    You’re the only new player on a tight-knit sports team.

    They don’t tease you, but they don’t include you either — no one passes the ball or sits with you after practice.

    You start doubting if you even belong there.

    One day, the coach asks you to lead warm-ups, and the others roll their eyes.

    Also practises: resilience, integrity, optimism

    Practise this one: New Player, Old Team?

  5. The Version of you

    Ages 10–14

    You’ve noticed that when you act funny and carefree, people include you more.

    When you’re quiet or serious, they scroll on their phones or ignore you.

    You’ve started performing — always joking, always upbeat — even when you don’t feel like it.

    Lately, you’re exhausted and not sure which version of you is real anymore.

    What do you do?

    Also practises: self-awareness, integrity, self-control

    Practise this one: The Version of you

  6. Nickname?

    Ages 12–14

    Your new friends say your name is “too hard to pronounce” and start calling you by a nickname that isn’t really you.

    At first it seems harmless, but now everyone uses it — even teachers.

    You like being accepted, but it feels like you’re losing a part of who you are.

    What do you do?

    Also practises: social awareness, confidence, integrity

    Practise this one: Nickname?

  7. Costume Parade: Rainbow Unicorn Meets Superheroes

    Ages 6–10

    It’s Costume Parade Day at school! You decided to dress as a rainbow unicorn, because you love bright colors and magical things. When you arrive, some kids laugh a little at your costume. You feel a bit shy and wonder if you should’ve worn something “cooler.” Your teacher announces that everyone will walk across the stage to show off their costume. You're next. What do you do?

    Also practises: optimism, confidence

    Practise this one: Costume Parade: Rainbow Unicorn Meets Superheroes

  8. Group work isn't fun

    Ages 6–10

    Your teacher announces a new group project and says,

    “You can choose your own teams.”

    Within seconds, everyone starts pairing up. You turn around — the classmates you usually work with already grouped together without asking you.

    Someone glances at you and says,

    “Sorry, our group’s full.”

    You feel your face burn.

    You could go ask to join another group, but the thought of being rejected again makes your stomach twist.

    You consider pretending you’d rather work alone — but deep down, you don’t want to.

    What do you do?

    Also practises: confidence, optimism, resilience

    Practise this one: Group work isn't fun

  9. Team Captain

    Ages 6–14

    Your cousin is chosen as team captain even though you’ve played longer. You feel it’s unfair. What’s the best way to handle your feelings?

    Also practises: self-control, resilience

    Practise this one: Team Captain

  10. New Group. New You?

    Ages 8–14

    You’ve joined a new group of friends who like things you’re not really into. They joke about people who study too hard or help teachers. You laugh along — even though it makes you uncomfortable. That night you think that you've changed a little since hanging out with them, and you don't like it. What do you do?

    Also practises: self-awareness, integrity, courage

    Practise this one: New Group. New You?

  11. Target Shifter

    Ages 10–14

    You spoke up last week when a group started teasing another student.

    Since then, the group has stopped talking to you — and now they’re posting inside jokes online that seem aimed at you.

    One of your old friends messages privately:

    “They’re just joking — don’t make it worse. Maybe say sorry, even if you didn’t do anything.”

    You feel torn — you did the right thing, but now you’re the one being left out.

    What do you do?

    Also practises: empathy, courage, social awareness, resilience

    Practise this one: Target Shifter

How can you use these at home or in class?

  1. Ask your child what they would be tempted to change to fit in, and what they would never change. The second list is worth keeping.
  2. Look at the scene from the other side: the quiet new student, or the classmate outside the cool-kids chat. Who could your child include?
  3. Practise one line for joining in and one for holding their ground, like “Can I play next round?” and “I’d rather you used my real name.”
  4. If a scenario is close to something happening at school right now, use it gently and keep the conversation about the character.

Questions parents and teachers ask

How can I help my child feel they belong at school?

Help them find one or two places to start: a club, a lunch table, one classmate with the same interest. Practising how to join in, and how to include others, makes those first steps easier.

What if my child changes who they are to fit in?

Some adjusting is normal, especially between 10 and 14. Ask what they enjoy when nobody is watching and whether the group lets them do it. The scenario about a new group that mocks studying is a good way into that conversation.

Are these scenarios useful for a child starting a new school?

Yes. The new team and new group scenarios fit that moment well, and our guide to starting a new school mid-year has lines for the first day.

Guides for parents on this

One situation in depth

My child’s friends keep making plans without themTheir friends keep going to the movies or starting group chats without them. What your child can ask them at ages 6 to 14, and what to say at home.My child’s best friend has a new best friendTheir best friend keeps picking someone new. What your child can say to the old friend and to the new kid, with replies for each age from 6 to 14.

More scenario lists

The whole scenario library