Siblings. Some days it feels like we can’t live with them, but could you imagine the world without them?
Whether it’s welcoming a new baby to the family, or the day-to-day issues of sibling rivalry, sharing a household with brothers and sisters (or being the grown-up in them) can be hard. For all the difficult days, siblings are also our children’s best friends, confidants, and source of unconditional love. Strong, positive relationships between siblings help kids learn compassion and sharing, how to build friendships with peers, and manage conflict in healthy ways.
This National Siblings Day, celebrate the ways brothers and sisters make our lives special and learn helpful tips for creating a healthy family dynamic, with the activities, videos, and book lists below.
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Celebrating Sensational Siblings
Los Lobos: Brothers and Sisters | PBS KIDS Rocks
Grades PreK-K
Sing along to this PBS KIDS Rocks song from Los Lobos all about how special brothers and sisters are!
Turning Sibling Rivalry Into Sibling Revelry
Grades PreK-3
Rather than shutting down every conflict that comes our kids’ way, here are a few tips for increasing the fun they have together instead!
How to Foster Positive Sibling Relationships
Grades PreK-3
In fostering the sibling relationship, parents teach young children to show empathy and compassion for others. Here are a few ways we can help our little ones reap the benefits of their sibling relationships and turn arguments into lifelong lessons.
Brothers & Sisters Working Together
Anabella’s Story | Many Ways to Show You Care
Grades PreK-2
Meet Anabella, a tigertastic 10-year-old who helps care for her younger brothers, one of whom has multiple disabilities. Daniel Tiger hosts the video and highlights that children can look for ways to be big helpers in their families.
Florence and Eric Take the Cake | Reading Rainbow Stories
Grades K-5
Laugh your way through this silly story about a brother and sister who accidentally cause a major baking mix-up with the featured book, Florence and Eric Take the Cake, read by Julia Child on Reading Rainbow.
The Secret Sauce: Afghan Chutney and Mexican Guisado | Relish
Grades 3-8
In this episode of Relish learn how siblings in the Twin Cities are blending family foods and traditions with entrepreneurial spirit to preserve their cultural heritage, and give others a taste of it too! Watch the Sajady sisters bottle up their mom’s beloved Afghan chutney and the Silva siblings bring Mexican and Latino ingredients from home into their family-run market. After watching explore discussion questions, recipes, and activities.
Activities, Crafts & More
Creating Your Own Family Album
Grades PreK-3
Sharing family photos, memories, and stories are wonderful ways to deepen your children’s connections and bonds to their family, including their sibling. Together with your kids, create a family album.
Children’s Books About a New Baby Sibling
Grades PreK-4
A new sibling changes a family. Meet memorable characters in the books suggested here.
Arthur vs. DW Digital Game
Grades K-2
Join forces with the Read siblings in Arthur vs. D.W.: The Battle of the Universe for All Time, a head-to-head two player game full of exciting action. Shoot hoops, dodge obstacles, and get in on the friendly sibling competition!
Practice Friendship Skills by Building a Family Fort
Grades 1-3
Kids make friends at school, through extracurricular activities, and more — but they first learn about how to be caring and loyal friends at home! Spend family time in a homemade fort and talk about ways you can practice being great friends to one another.