Talk, vote, draw, or act it out

Eight Fairness Scenarios For Kids

Each situation has more than one thing to notice. The goal is thoughtful reasons, not guessing the grown-up's answer.

Use one scenario at a time. Ask what feels unfair first, then look for needs, choices, promises, patterns, and possible repairs.

1. The cake slices

Two children receive different-size slices. One had already eaten a large snack and asked for a small piece.

Ask: What would you need to know before deciding if this is fair?

2. The first swing

Sam had the first turn yesterday. Today, Lee wants the first turn. Sam says, “But I got here first.”

Ask: Should fairness look at today only, or yesterday too?

3. The quiet headphones

One child may use headphones during a noisy activity. Other children do not have headphones.

Ask: Is the headphone a prize, a help, or both?

4. The unfinished race

Everyone must stop running because one person falls. Some runners want to finish.

Ask: Can the group help the person and still let the race continue?

5. The blue marker

Two people want the only blue marker. One needs it for the sky; the other wants it for an ocean.

Ask: What are three fair solutions? Which would you choose?

6. The changed plan

The class was promised outdoor play, but it begins to thunder. Indoor play replaces it.

Ask: Can a disappointing change still be fair? What would help?

7. The different homework

Most children receive ten questions. One child receives five carefully chosen questions.

Ask: What could make different work fair? What information should stay private?

8. The broken tower

A child knocks down another child's block tower by accident. Saying sorry does not rebuild it.

Ask: What repair would help? Does fair always mean punishment?

Four ways to use the scenarios

  • Partner talk: each partner names one thing the rule should protect.
  • Four corners: equal, different, need more information, or invent another answer.
  • Draw the next panel: show what a fair repair might look like.
  • Rule designer: write one sentence that changes the situation.

Facilitator note: Avoid turning a real child's support needs into a class debate. Fictional scenarios let children explore the idea without asking someone to defend their accommodations.