For children, football is often much more than a game. They see incredible goals, dramatic saves and unforgettable celebrations.  

They cheer for their favourite players, learn the importance of teamwork and experience the ups and downs that come with supporting a team. 

But beyond the scorelines and silverware, football also offers something incredibly valuable. 

It teaches life lessons.  Every match is filled with examples of teamwork, perseverance, encouragement, resilience and respect. These are the same values that Elf Mates® help children practise all year long. 

So, whether you’re watching a major international tournament or settling down for a weekend derby, football can become a wonderful opportunity to encourage kindness, empathy and good sportsmanship at home. 

What Is Good Sportsmanship? 

Good sportsmanship is about how we treat others, regardless of the result. 

It means celebrating success without boasting, showing respect to opponents, encouraging teammates and responding positively when things don’t go our way. 

Children often hear phrases such as “be a good sport” or “play fair”, but football gives them the chance to see those values in action. 

They might notice: 

• A player helping an opponent back to their feet 

• A captain encouraging a teammate after a mistake 

• A goalkeeper congratulating the opposing team 

• Players shaking hands after a hard-fought match 

• A team continuing to support one another even when they are losing 

These moments often tell us far more about character than the final score ever could. 

And they create powerful opportunities for meaningful conversations with children. 

Why Is Football a Great Way to Teach Positive Values? 

Football naturally creates teachable moments. 

Children watch people working together towards a common goal. They see teammates relying on one another, supporting each other through challenges and celebrating collective achievements. 

They also see disappointment, missed chances, tough defeats and unexpected setbacks. And perhaps most importantly, they see how people respond. 

For parents, these moments offer an opportunity to talk about values in a way that feels natural rather than forced. 

Questions such as: 

• How did that player respond after making a mistake? 

• Why do you think the captain encouraged their teammate? 

• What made that moment kind? 

• How would you feel in that situation? 

These conversations help children understand that football is not just about winning. It’s also about respect, teamwork and how we treat others. 

That is where Elf Mates can become part of the story.  Rather than focusing solely on goals and trophies, Elf Mates encourage children to notice acts of kindness, encouragement and generosity both on and off the pitch. 

The Elf Mates Good Sportsmanship Challenge 

This football season, challenge your child to become an official Elf Mates Sportsmanship Spotter. 

Instead of simply counting goals or predicting scores, encourage them to watch for examples of positive behaviour during the match. 

Can they spot: 

• A player encouraging a teammate? 

• Someone showing respect to an opponent? 

• A great example of teamwork? 

• A player staying positive after a setback? 

• An act of kindness or fairness? 

At the end of the match, ask: “What was the best example of sportsmanship you saw today?” 

Children are often surprisingly observant when they know what they are looking for. 

Over time, they begin to recognise that being a great sport is just as important as winning. 

A Half-Time Kindness Mission 

Half-time provides the perfect opportunity for a quick Elf Mates challenge. 

While the players head back to the dressing room, children can complete a small act of kindness before the second half begins. 

Their mission could be: 

• Helping clear away snack bowls 

• Making a drink for someone watching the match 

• Helping a younger sibling 

• Tidying up without being asked 

• Sharing a treat 

• Offering to help with a small household task 

These simple moments reflect the values Elf Mates encourage throughout the year. The goal isn’t to earn points. It’s simply to make someone’s day a little brighter. 

Bringing Elf Mates Into Match Day 

Each Elf Mate brings their own unique perspective to the Good Sportsmanship Challenge. 

Elf Mates Chef

The Elf Mates Chef believes generosity makes every occasion more enjoyable. 

Known throughout the Santaverse™ for encouraging sharing and thoughtfulness, the Elf Mates Chef inspires children to think about how small acts of generosity can bring people together. 

Perhaps your Elf Mates Chef encourages children to help prepare match-day snacks, share football-themed biscuits with family or make treats for friends coming over to watch the game. 

Elf Mates Toy Maker

The Elf Mates Toy Maker knows creativity can spread happiness. 

During football season, children might create supporter banners, design football-themed kindness cards or invent chants that celebrate teamwork rather than simply winning. 

The Elf Mates Toy Maker encourages children to use their creativity to make others smile and to focus on bringing joy to those around them. 

Elf Mates Cobbler

The Elf Mates Cobbler helps children step into someone else’s shoes. 

If a favourite team loses, a player misses an important chance or someone feels disappointed, the Elf Mates Cobbler encourages children to think about how that person might be feeling. 

Empathy is one of the most important qualities good sportsmanship can teach. 

And the Elf Mates Cobbler knows that understanding others is often where kindness begins. 

Create a Family Team Spirit Tradition 

One of the easiest ways to keep children engaged throughout football season is to create a simple Team Spirit Tradition. 

Before each match, ask your child to make one prediction that has nothing to do with the score. 

Instead, they could predict: 

• Will we see a great example of teamwork? 

• Will someone help an opponent? 

• Will a player encourage a teammate? 

• Will we see an act of respect? 

• Will someone show resilience after a setback? 

These predictions shift attention away from results and towards positive behaviour.

They also create wonderful conversations after the match has ended. Children begin looking for qualities that matter beyond goals and trophies. 

Why Teaching Sportsmanship Matters Beyond the Pitch 

Football may only last ninety minutes, but the lessons children learn can stay with them for years. 

Good sportsmanship helps children develop: 

• Empathy 

• Respect 

• Resilience 

• Patience 

• Emotional awareness 

• Teamwork skills 

• Confidence 

These qualities support friendships, school life, family relationships and everyday interactions. 

A conversation about teamwork during a football match can become a lesson children carry into the classroom. 

An example of encouragement on the pitch can inspire kindness on the playground. A moment of resilience after a defeat can help children navigate challenges in their own lives. 

Whether children are watching the FIFA World Cup, cheering on their local club, following the UEFA European Championship or playing football themselves, the values they learn through sport can stay with them long after the final whistle. 

Looking for More Ways to Encourage Kindness? 

If your child enjoys the Good Sportsmanship Challenge, the fun doesn’t have to stop when football season ends. 

Elf Mates help children practise kindness, empathy, generosity and positive behaviour all year long through imaginative play and everyday moments. 

FAQ: Football Activities and Good Sportsmanship for Children 

What are some football activities for children at home? 

Sportsmanship spotting games, football predictions, kindness challenges, football crafts and teamwork activities are all great ways to keep children engaged before, during and after matches. 

How do you teach good sportsmanship to children? 

Children learn sportsmanship by seeing positive examples, practising empathy, encouraging others and learning how to respond respectfully whether they win or lose. 

Why is sportsmanship important for children? 

Sportsmanship helps children develop emotional awareness, resilience, respect, teamwork and confidence that benefit them both on and off the pitch. 

How can football help teach kindness? 

Football provides real-life examples of teamwork, encouragement, perseverance and respect, making it a brilliant opportunity to discuss positive values with children. 

What values can children learn from football? 

Football can help children learn teamwork, resilience, patience, empathy, respect, perseverance, fairness and good sportsmanship.