Asking for help is a foundational social skill that empowers students to advocate for themselves, build relationships, and navigate challenges with confidence. But for many students, especially those with social communication difficulties, asking for help doesn’t come naturally.

As a speech-language pathologist, social worker, or counselor, you’ve likely worked with students who avoid asking for help due to embarrassment, fear of judgment, or difficulty expressing their needs. That’s why structured, engaging activities are so valuable. Games provide a low-pressure way for students to practice help-seeking behaviors in a fun and supportive environment.

In this article are four interactive games you can use to reinforce the skill of asking for help while promoting social development.

Understanding “Asking for Help”

Before diving into the games, let’s first understand the concept of asking for help. At its core, asking for help is a self-advocacy skill—it involves recognizing when support is needed, expressing that need, and actively seeking assistance. Developing this skill empowers students to navigate challenges, build relationships, and cultivate a growth mindset. 

For many children, asking for help can be challenging. By teaching help-seeking in a structured and supportive way, we can equip students with the confidence and strategies they need to advocate for themselves in both academic and social settings.

Why Teach Asking for Help Through Games

Many children may face challenges in asking for help. Some may feel embarrassed or fear judgment, while others may struggle with articulating their needs. By incorporating interactive games into teaching this skill, we can create a safe and supportive environment where children can practice and gain confidence in asking for help.

Interactive games offer several benefits in teaching asking for help:

• Creating a safe learning environment – Games lower anxiety and give students structured opportunities to practice asking for help.
• Encouraging social connection – Many students feel more comfortable seeking help from peers in a game-based setting.
• Promoting problem-solving and independence – Knowing when and how to ask for help is key to overcoming challenges.
• Making learning stick – Students are more likely to apply skills in real life when learning feels enjoyable and meaningful.

Fun Games to Teach Asking for Help

Let’s dive into four fun, easy-to-implement games that help students develop this essential skill.

Game 1: Help Me Out

“Help Me Out” is a simple yet effective game that helps children understand the concept of asking for help and develop the necessary communication skills.

Best for: Small groups or classroom settings
Skills targeted: Expressing needs, turn-taking, collaboration

Objective: The objective of the game is to encourage children to ask for help when faced with a challenge or task.

How to Play:

1. Pair students up. One student is the helper, the other is the helpee.
2. Give the helpee a task that’s slightly too difficult to complete alone (e.g., a puzzle, building a structure with blocks).
3. The helpee must ask their partner for help to complete the task.
4. Switch roles after each round.

Why It Works:

• Reinforces that asking for help is positive and expected.
• Helps students practice clear communication when requesting assistance.
• Builds empathy and collaboration as students take turns helping each other.

Pro tip: Use visual cues or sentence starters (“Can you help me with…?”) for students who need extra support.

Game 2: Ask the Expert

“Ask the Expert” is a game that encourages children to seek help from others who have expertise in a particular area.

Best for: Groups, classroom discussions
Skills targeted: Seeking help, active listening, curiosity

Objective: The objective of the game is to teach children that it is okay to ask for help from someone who knows more about a specific topic or skill.

How to Play:

1. Assign each student a role as an expert in a topic (e.g., sports, animals, technology).
2. Students take turns asking the “expert” for help on something related to their topic.
3. The expert provides an answer or demonstrates a skill.
4. Rotate roles so each student has a chance to ask for help and be an expert.

Why It Works:

• Teaches students that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
• Encourages help-seeking in real-world situations (e.g., asking a teacher, mentor, or knowledgeable peer for guidance).
• Reinforces active listening and respectful communication.

Pro tip: Encourage students to research questions ahead of time to make the game even more engaging.

Game 3: Helping Hands Relay

“Helping Hands Relay” is a physically active game that reinforces the idea of asking for help and working together as a team.

Best for: Groups, movement-based learning
Skills targeted: Teamwork, problem-solving, asking for help when needed

Objective: The objective of the game is to encourage children to ask for help and collaborate with others to complete a task.

How to Play:

1. Set up a relay course with different stations (e.g., tying shoelaces, solving a riddle, stacking blocks).
2. Each student must complete a task before moving to the next station.
3. The catch? They can only move forward after asking for help from a teammate.
4. The team that completes the course first wins.

Why It Works:

• Reinforces that help-seeking is a natural part of problem-solving.
• Helps students get comfortable with verbalizing when they need support.
• Encourages peer collaboration in a dynamic, fast-paced setting.

Pro tip: Vary the difficulty of tasks so students experience both giving and receiving help.

Game 4: Helping Puzzles

“Helping Puzzles” is a game that combines problem-solving and asking for help to complete a puzzle.

Best for: Small groups or individual practice
Skills targeted: Problem-solving, patience, asking for help appropriately

Objective: The objective of the game is to teach children that it is okay to ask for help when faced with a challenging task or problem.

How to Play:

1. Give students a challenging puzzle to solve.
2. Let them attempt it independently, but if they struggle, they must ask for help from a peer or teacher.
3. Emphasize that seeking help is part of the learning process.

Why It Works:

• Helps students recognize when they need assistance.
• Reduces frustration by normalizing help-seeking behaviors.
• Encourages peer support and problem-solving.

Pro tip: Gradually increase the complexity of puzzles as students build confidence in asking for help.

Bonus Resource: Asking for Help Video

Everyday Speech is a no-prep social skills curriculum that teaches skills like self-regulation, resilience, and problem-solving through evidence-based video modeling. Here is a sample of a video modeling lesson from our curriculum: Asking for Help.

The video, developed for middle and high school students, helps students understand how to get help from their teacher:

Bringing It All Together

Teaching children how to ask for help is a crucial skill that empowers them to navigate challenges, build relationships, and foster a growth mindset. By incorporating fun and interactive games into daily routines, we can create a supportive environment where children can practice and develop this essential skill.

Games such as “Help Me Out,” “Ask the Expert,” “Helping Hands Relay,” and “Helping Puzzles” provide engaging and enjoyable ways to teach asking for help while promoting social and behavioral development. 

Try these games in your sessions, and watch your students grow in confidence and communication!