Anti-Bullying Classroom Activities (Ages 4–8)

About the Outnumbered Story

Written by Zachary Penan, Outnumbered follows eight-year-old Jack, a fictional child starting at a new school in Stamford, Connecticut. When Jack experiences bullying, he struggles to tell the adults around him. His mother, teacher, and classmates become part of his support system.

Read about the Outnumbered story

Talk About the Story Together

Pause during a reading and let children describe what they notice. Focus on the characters rather than asking anyone to share a personal experience in a group.

Before Reading

• "This book is about a kid facing a tough situation. Let's see how they handle it."
• "I'm curious what you'll think about the choices the characters make."

During Reading

• "What do you think will happen next?"
• "How is this character feeling right now?"
• "What would you do in this situation?"

After Reading

• "What was the most important part of the story?"
• "What did the characters learn?"
• "Did anything surprise you?"
• "How can we use this story's lessons in real life?"

Discussion Questions

• Why was Jack scared to tell anyone at first?
• How might Jack be feeling? What could make it easier for him to talk to an adult?
• What can an adult do to show they are listening and taking a child's concern seriously?
• How did Jack's classmates show they were his friends?
• How can a classmate offer support safely? Who could help if someone is being hurt?

Questions to Try

These questions work with Outnumbered or another story about belonging:

• How can you tell when a character feels left out?
• Which adult could the character ask for help?
• What could a classmate do to help safely?
• What is one way we can welcome someone new this week?

A story's ending is not a promise about a real situation. When bullying happens, adults need to listen, respond, and follow up.

Role-Playing Scenarios

A child does not have to confront someone or put themselves at risk to support a peer.

Ages 4–6: Building Foundations

Simple strategies:

• "If someone is sad, ask if they're okay."
• "If kids are being mean, tell the teacher."
• "You can invite someone playing alone to join you."

Practice through:

• Use stuffed animals or dolls to act out scenarios
• Ask: "What should Teddy do if someone pushes him?"
• Reading books like Outnumbered and discussing
• Praising inclusive behavior

Ages 6–7: Building Understanding

Practice responses to common situations:

Scenario 1: Name-Calling

• "Someone calls you a mean name. What can you do?"
• Practice: "That's not okay. I'm going to tell the teacher."

Scenario 2: Exclusion

• "The kids say you can't play. How can you respond?"
• Practice: "I can find other friends to play with."

Scenario 3: Witnessing Bullying

• "You see someone being left out. What can you do?"
• Practice: "I can invite them to play with me."

Teaching Upstander Skills

Help classmates practice safe ways to include others: invite someone to sit with them, check in after an upsetting incident, or get help from an adult.

Buddy System

• Make eye contact and offer support: "You okay?"
• Walk with them away from the situation
• Include them in what you're doing: "Want to sit with us?"

Check In Privately

Offer support:

• "Are you okay?"
• "That wasn't fair what happened."
• "I'm sorry that happened to you."
• "Do you want to talk about it?"
• "That must have felt really bad."

Invite Inclusion

• "Want to sit with me at lunch?"
• "Do you want to be on my team?"
• "We're playing at recess; come join us."
• "Want to walk to class together?"

Encourage Reporting

Help them get adult support:

• "You should tell a teacher. I'll go with you if you want."
• "My mom would help. Do you want to tell your parents?"
• "We could talk to the counselor together."

Validate their experience: "What happened wasn't okay, and it's not your fault."

Reporting vs. Tattling

Help children understand the difference:

• Tattling. Intent: Get someone in trouble. Situation: Minor issue they could solve themselves. Example: "Sarah took the red crayon I wanted."
• Reporting. Intent: Get someone help or keep someone safe. Situation: Someone is being hurt or is in danger. Example: "Sarah is being pushed and called names every day at recess."

Phrase it this way: "Tattling is trying to get someone in trouble. Reporting is trying to get someone out of trouble."

Extended Activities

Deepen understanding:

• Draw pictures of their favorite scenes
• Write letters to characters offering advice
• Act out scenes with different endings
• Create their own anti-bullying story
• Make a poster inspired by the book's message

Buddy Bench

A designated spot where students can sit when lonely or needing a friend. Other students check on them and invite them to play.

School & Community Readings

If you represent a school, library, or community organization, email us with your organization's name, town, approximate age group, and proposed dates. We can discuss whether a reading is a fit and confirm availability and arrangements before anything is scheduled.

Please keep initial inquiries about the group or event; do not include children's names or details of individual bullying incidents.

Contact Outnumbered about a reading → or learn about school and community readings.

More Reading

• Bullying Resources for Parents & Educators
• Bystander vs. Upstander: Teaching Kids to Stand Up Safely
• Age-Appropriate Ways to Talk About Bullying (Ages 4–10)
• Best Books About Bullying for Elementary School Students
• The Role of Teachers in Tackling Bullying
• How to Choose an Anti-Bullying Program for Your School