7 Creative Activities for Building Relationships in Your Home
Having students over to my home is always a big deal, usually more for them than for me. (Although in the 20 minutes I’m franticly speed-cleaning my house, it feels like a big deal.) I’m not sure exactly what makes it so special. Maybe it’s the chance to go inside the house of a foreigner and see what it’s like. Maybe it’s having the chance to get to know me as a person, not just a teacher. Maybe it’s because inviting people over isn’t as prevalent in Chinese culture as it is in Western culture. Whatever the reason, it’s something my students end up talking about for weeks and months afterward, and it’s one of the best ways I’ve found to build relationships.
Game night is always a favorite, but sometimes you want a more intimate atmosphere, with a small group of friends. So here are some super activities (requiring minimal preparation) you can have at your house to build relationships!
1) Ice cream party
This just might be my favorite activity. I mean, there’s ice cream involved, so, obviously, it’s the best. This takes just a little preparation up-front, and then you can do this over and over and over again! Most places have tiny, one-serving cups of ice cream. These are usually sold where you find most popsicles and ice cream bars, or at small convenience stores like 7-11. Depending on where you are, they’ll probably be under a dollar, and you can buy these yourself, or just text everybody who’s coming to pick one up on his way to your house! For about 35 RMB, you can buy some good ole Hershey’s chocolate syrup. Then just grab a couple of extra toppings. You could use fruit, like bananas, (If you’re that kind of person), chocolate chips, chopped-up Dove bars or candy bars, and if you really want to go all out, order some sprinkles or bring some back from your home country. When your students arrive, put all the toppings on the table, gather around, and dig in! I especially like this one because making the ice cream gives everyone something to do, but the main focus is on conversation.
2) Baking party
While this takes a lot more prep and clean up time, it’s such a fun activity, especially around Christmas time. I’ve found cookies or cake to be the easiest things to bake. Usually before the students arrive, I set out the ingredients, and depending on how many students I’ve invited, set up different areas. Things can quickly get out of hand if there aren’t small groups, so either invite only a handful of students, or separate them into different teams. For example, one group can mix the dry ingredients, while the other handles the wet ones. While everything is baking, you can clean up or just sit and chat with them. Tip: ALWAYS reduce the sugar included in the recipe. They will still think it’s too sweet, but at least they won’t be gagging.
3) Decorating party
A decorating party can be one of the craziest activities you have at your house. My first year in China, I invited some friends over to help me decorate my house for Christmas. I just needed an extra pair of hands, but this turned into one of my favorite traditions. It’s a great opportunity for your students to not only learn about your culture, but also a chance for them to feel involved in it. Just invite a couple of people over on a Thursday night and deck the mess out of those halls! And it doesn’t just have to be Christmas. Invite students over to cut shamrocks out of green paper and decorate your front door. Buy or make some pumpkin-related things to put on your nightstands or coffee tables. Get some new pastel pillow cases and accessories for Easter. You might end up with a hideously-decorated Christmas tree (which you can always re-do), but you’ll definitely end up with some great memories.
4) Tea party
Having tea parties is another all-time favorite. No preparation, lots of conversation. When I say “tea party,” I’m not talking about big floppy hats, delicate hor d’oeuvres, and expensive British teacups. If you want to do that, by all means, do! But all you really need is a couple of mugs and bags of tea. You can throw a Chinese-style tea party, with a traditional tea set and some Chinese tea, but most students are more interested in trying Western tea. I usually bring different teas back from America, but you can also buy them at foreign stores or order them on Taobao (Chinese Amazon). Most students have never tried cinnamon apple, earl grey, vanilla chai, or blueberry tea. It’s a fun experience for them, and another activity focused on just relaxing and chatting.
5) Pet party
If you have a pet, use it! I know it sounds crazy, but I have had students ask to come over to my house JUST to pet my cat. My cat turned into a mini celebrity among my students. He even had a documentary filmed about him. Some of my students said it helped them feel less homesick, and it ended up being a good way to connect with them later in class. Now, you might want to combine this with a tea party or something, but hey, who doesn’t want to hang out with a cat?
6) Cooking party
This activity takes the most preparation and is not for the faint of heart. Even if you cook often, preparing the ingredients, teaching them how to cook, and cleaning up all takes a lot of time. You could either teach them how to make a Western meal, or have them teach you a Chinese one. If you choose Western, I advise choosing a meal with ingredients they’re familiar with. A cheesy casserole or meatloaf might not be something they’ll enjoy, whereas spaghetti and meatballs or chicken and mashed potatoes will be a bigger hit. Just remember, the more people you invite, the more food you’ll have to cook, and the less room there will be in the kitchen!
7) Movie night
This one is best to do with just a couple of students, and it’s a little tricky to get right, so I usually reserve this one for my closest friends. Be sure to choose a movie you think they’ll both enjoy and understand. Once we watched The Blind Side, but because the students didn’t understand anything about American football, they weren’t interested in it at all. Sandra Bullock’s accent is extremely difficult for non-natives to understand, and the racial undertones were just not something they were familiar with. You can’t really go wrong with romance, after all, it is the universal language, right? Also, make sure your movie has Chinese subtitles! Even the best students will struggle understanding everything, and you want this to be a fun, relaxing night with you, not an extension of class.
As you can see, each of these activities gives the students something to do so they won’t feel too awkward. Spending time with students at your house can take a little more preparation than just meeting them for dinner somewhere, but the memories you’ll make, and the closeness you’ll feel is absolutely worth it. If you have any more ideas about activities you could host in your home, let me know in the comments below!