How to Make Friends as a Military Kid

Military life brings adventure, change, and a whole lot of new experiences — but it can also make something as simple as making friends feel overwhelming for kids. With every move, they’re starting over in a new place, a new school, and a new community. Still, within all that change are real opportunities for connection, growth, and resilience. This post by Julie Provost, military mom and creator of Soldier’s Wife, Crazy Life,  explores what military kids face, what strengths they carry, and how we as parents can support them in building meaningful friendships along the way.

The Challenge of Making Friends as a Military Child

Making friends can be difficult for any kid, but for a military child, it can bring added challenges. From frequent moves and changing schools, to struggling to find people who get you. Add in social anxiety and shyness, and it can be difficult.

However, there are so many opportunities within military life, and ways to make friends.

Constant Moves and New Beginnings

Moving every few years means military kids are constantly the new kid. They are always having to say goodbye to friends. However, it also gives them a chance to meet lots of different types of people. Your kids will be able to meet people from all over the world.

Shared Experiences and Built‑In Connection

There is also a connection between military kids. They have been through similar things, from moving to different places to sending a parent away for months at a time. There is a lot of room there to connect with others who get what you are dealing with.

Resilience in Military Kids

The truth is, military kids can be so resilient. We, as parents, might worry that too many moves or deployments will make life more difficult for them, but in reality, they can bounce back from these experiences and come out stronger on the other side.

How Parents Can Support Their Kids

That being said, some kids do really struggle making friends during military life. As parents, we can be there to help them through it. We can help encourage them. Let them know that it can take time to make friends, and share our own experiences with them. We can help them find activities with other kids and encourage them to get to know possible friends at those activities. Sports, dance, and church groups are all great places to start.

Parents can also make plans with other military families, whether it is getting together at a fun event or connecting for dinner at someone’s house. Modeling how to reach out to others can be a great skill for any military kid to learn.

Staying Connected Across Duty Stations

Another way to help is to allow your kids to stay connected with friends from previous duty stations. They can video chat, send messages, and even plan get-togethers at some point. Besides, sometimes you might end up at the same duty station together someday.

💡The My Friends and I book gives kids a simple, fun way to document the friendships they’ve made in each place, and it becomes a familiar tool they can carry from one duty station to the next. As they meet new friends, they can invite them to sign their book, helping break the ice while also creating a keepsake of all the unique connections formed along the way. Over time, the book becomes a bridge between past and present—reminding them that even though they move often, their friendships travel with them.

In celebration of the Month of the Military Child in April, get 20% off your order until the end of April with promo code HERO at checkout.

The book is also available on Amazon.

Finding Friendship Wherever Military Life Leads

Although making friends can be a challenge for military kids, with your help and some patience, they can find meaningful friendships wherever military life takes them.

Julie Provost is a content specialist, writer, and blogger. She is the creator of the popular military spouse blog, Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life, and enjoys reading, swimming, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.

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