We all want well-behaved kids, however good manners for kids shouldn’t be overlooked either.
This complete list of good manners for kids will help you teach your children how to have consideration and respect in all settings.
From manners with adults to how to act with friends and manners while eating to manners at school, you can teach these 101 good manners for kids starting as early as possible.
You aren’t alone. Parents all over the world are just as frustrated as you are!
When speaking or being spoken to, eye contact is essential for understanding.
When someone is speaking, let them finish before you begin.
If there’s something you want, then ask for it politely.
Saying “thank you” for receiving anything should be done every time.
You don’t have to agree with them, but respecting what those older than you say is mannerly.
Remember that certain words are offensive and aren’t used in polite conversation.
It’s poor manners to assume you can touch or borrow something that isn’t yours.
Don’t ruin someone else’s property, even if you asked politely to use it.
When an adult requests that you not intrude on their privacy, make sure you listen.
You should always clean up after yourself and help everyone in your household by doing your share.
When given gifts, take the time to pen a personal note to show your appreciation.
When calling others, state your name and who you’re calling for, rather than demanding to speak to the person you’re calling.
And if you must, please say, “Excuse me,” to get an adult’s attention.
Sharing with others is one of the most magical parts of friendship.
Saying mean things can hurt people you care about.
You shouldn’t hit or physically harm your friends in any way.
Find positive ways to talk to your friends.
Share, invite, and include your friends as they do for you too.
When visiting a friend’s home, show respect to elders, privacy, and property.
If invited to a friend’s home, leave when it’s time to leave.
Scrub your hands with soap and water before you come to the table.
It’s not only polite, but it also keeps food from getting all over your clothes.
No one wants to see tonight’s dinner chomping in your mouth.
Wipe your mouth gently, and should you get a piece of food that is too chewy, use the napkin to discard it discreetly.
While a napkin helps, you avoid messes by sitting properly at the table.
You could choke, plus it will reveal food in your mouth while garbling your words.
In certain Eastern cultures, slurping is a sign of positivity. In Western culture, however, don’t slurp soups and sauces.
When eating, don’t rest your elbows on the table. If you need something to do with your other hand, keep it in your lap.
Use the right ones for each course. A good rule of thumb is to start with cutlery on the outside and work your way in.
Ask to help your parents and put plates, silverware, napkins, and glasses into place.
An appreciative “please” when you want something, as well as a “thank you” when you are served is in order.
Even if you’d prefer to eat something else, complaining about it is quite rude.
Mealtimes are a great time to bond with family and a perfect time to practice listening, taking turns while speaking, and not interrupting.
Phone calls, texts, games, and apps can all wait until everyone has finished eating and excused themselves from the table.
It isn’t nice to just get up from the table after you finish. You should sit and carry on with the conversation. If there’s homework to be done, ask to be excused first before getting up.
After being excused, make sure you clean up after yourself. Bonus: offer to do the dishes!
Always listen to and follow what your teacher asks of you.
Use the inside of your elbow to avoid spreading germs to others.
Simply be kind to everyone you meet. We’re all different for a reason, and that’s a wonderful thing.
Even if you did something wrong, be honest and admit it.
It’s not only mean to leave classmates out that want to play but also extremely rude.
Be proud of where you’re learning and help take care of your classroom and campus.
While the teachers and principal deserve respect, don’t forget to be polite to the custodian and cafeteria workers.
Children that ride the bus should sit properly, be kind to the other students on the bus, and listen to the bus driver.
Guests should all be welcomed into your home with a polite smile and proper greeting.
When a new guest comes to your home, shake their hand and look them in the eye.
All guests should be offered something to drink, such as a glass of water.
If a visiting guest comes near dinner time, invite them to join you for the meal. If the guest is another child, make sure to ask your parents first!
When guests come during colder weather, offer to take their coats for them.
When an older person comes into the room, the polite thing to do is stand up. For boys, a gentleman should always stand for any lady too.
For guests that come that haven’t met the rest of your family, make sure you introduce them to each other.
Be sure to call and ask first or be invited before going to someone else’s home.
For arriving and departing, make sure you don’t wear out your welcome.
All guests should be offered something to drink, such as a glass of water.
Not everyone has this rule, but it shows respect to ensure you’re not tracking dirt through their home.
If your friend’s mom introduces herself as Mrs. Smith, then that’s what you call her.
Most people will tell a guest to sit and relax, but it’s good manners for kids that offer to help wash the dishes after a snack or meal.
Before leaving, make sure you help clean up anything you played with or used. No one wants a big mess after guests go home.
Even if you just came by to work on homework with your friend, be sure to thank them and their parents for having you.
If you were invited to someone’s home, it’s only good manners to extend them an invitation to join you sometime at yours. Just make sure that time is agreeable for your parents as well.
And above all, mean it when you say you’re sorry.
Whether you’ve bumped into someone by accident or need to leave the room, remember to say, “Excuse me.”
On tables in your own home or on empty seats on public transport, keep your feet on the ground. It should go without saying that you shouldn’t put your feet up in the homes of others either.
Take your trash and throw it away in the proper receptacle. If it’s recyclable, recycle it.
If you’re on a bus, train, or other mode of public transport, offer your seat to an elder, someone that’s physically impaired, or a pregnant woman.
Whether you’re on the phone in public or listening to music, keep your noise level in check.
If someone is coming in behind you, take a second to hold the door. Linger even longer to help elderly people with the door too.
When it comes to good manners for kids, one of the best things you can do is speak without mumbling and loudly enough for adults to hear you without shouting.
Always wash your hands after using the bathroom, shower daily, and brush your teeth twice each day.
Whether you’re standing too close to someone on a line or you’re trying to read over a shoulder, it’s considered rude to do.
Not only is it rude, but if you knew what was lurking underneath your nails, you’d never do it again.
It’s very impolite to eat food in front of someone else without offering them something to eat too.
It’s one thing to be proud of your accomplishments. It’s quite another to brag about it incessantly.
Taking a glance is fine but gaping and staring at others is considered the height of rudeness.
Promises are commitments. Make sure you don’t make any that you can’t keep.
Or the finances of your parents. It’s nobody’s business but your own.
Unless you’re at an indoor play area, you shouldn’t be running inside.
Pointing isn’t considered polite. This is especially true while dining.
You’ll have to learn that sometimes you need to wait for the things you want, whether it’s for your turn on a ride or to pay for something at the store. You’ll get there in time.
If you did ruin something that doesn’t below to you, do the honorable thing and offer to pay for it.
Certain spaces are privately owned. Make sure you don’t ride your bike through a neighbor’s garden or play chase in their yard.
You might give the impression you are bored. And if you simple can’t stifle it, please cover your mouth as you do.
When keeping good manners for kids, remember that someone out there has it far worse than you. That’s why complaining is a rude thing to do.
Wherever you happen to be from school to home to church and everywhere in between, sit still without squiggling and squirming.
Offer a helping hand and see what you can do to be a beacon of light for others.
It’s a golden rule for a reason and among the good manners for kids everyone should follow. If you wouldn’t want someone to treat you as you’re treating them, then stop it.
You’re entitled to your own feelings as they are yours. However, act accordingly when you have them. It’s OK to be angry, but it’s not OK to throw a fit.
People that keep talking nonstop are among the rudest of all.
No one will believe you when you tell the truth.
They might be roughly the same size, but they don’t belong in there. Excuse yourself to the restroom and use a tissue.
Whether you accidentally hit your own sister, classmate, or a parent with a ball, even unintentional acts mandate an apology.
It might be a long list, but if you start teaching your children these good manners for kids, they’ll have a lifetime to practice them.
The best to teach them of course is to lead by example. Set the stage by exhibiting good manners yourself and let them copy your technique.
