Handshake Greeting Game

Child development / Drama games / Handshake greeting game

The Handshake Greeting Game is a lively and sociable activity that helps children practise making positive first impressions through body language.

By exploring different handshake styles, children build confidence in eye contact and touch, while learning what feels appropriate and respectful.

This game is an excellent warm-up or icebreaker, encouraging laughter, imagination and awareness of social interactions.

How to play

1. Start with a discussion

Ask the group: "Where do we use handshakes in life? Why are they important?"

Briefly explain that handshakes began as a sign of trust, showing you were not carrying a weapon and how they are still used in greetings and formal settings today.

2. Demonstrate extremes

Act out with another grown-up a few exaggerated versions, such as:

A limp fish handshake with no eye contact
A bone-crusher handshake that is too strong
A handshake that goes on far too long

Then show the "perfect" handshake: firm grip, two to three pumps, eye contact and a smile.

3. Time to play

Play upbeat music while the children move around the space. When the music stops, call out a handshake scenario, such as:

Too soft
Too strong
With someone you like
With someone you don't know
With someone who feels nervous
With someone who smells funny

Children must quickly find a partner and greet them in the style you have called out.

What it teaches

Social awareness - how to adapt body language for situations
Character building - playing emotions through physical actions
Eye contact - practising confident engagement
Communication - non-verbal skills and trust-building

Variations to try

Business mode: Pretend you're meeting someone at a job interview
International hello: Explore greetings in different cultures (e.g., bowing, fist bump, etc.)
Character handshake: Greet as pirates, robots, movie stars etc.

Principal's notes

This is a playful way to boost body confidence and spark social interaction. Children love experimenting with the different 'characters' in their handshakes. Shaking hands is also a vital social skill, and it's so valuable to help children perfect it from a young age

Lucy Quick, Principal of Perform.