How to Make Your Brother Happy

Co-authored by Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RD

Last Updated: March 5, 2023 Approved

Relationships between siblings can be very complicated. All siblings will fight from time to time, and that is normal. It is very important that siblings have a good relationship throughout childhood and adulthood. The relationship between brothers can be complicated. The key parts to having a healthy family dynamic are communication and quality time.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Having Fun With Your Brother

1
Play games with your brother. Find out what game your brother likes the most and play it with him.^{[1]
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- Make sure it's a game that more than two people can play.
- Kids can play simple board games or design their own game like balloon football or tag.
- Not all people like board games or sports. Video games are a good way to bond with your brother if he is a gamer.
- Teens can play more complicated games with their brothers, like harder video games or team sports.
- Ask your brother to teach you how to play a game or sport. This is a good way for siblings to feel important by helping each other.
- Team up! Research shows that competition and contention between groups can be reduced by finding a superordinate goal — an overarching goal everyone can work together to achieve.
2
Make your brother laugh. Be silly together or tell jokes.
- Kids are creative. Kids shouldn't be afraid to be silly to make their brother laugh.
- Find out what kinds of jokes and humor make your brother laugh.
- Tell funny stories about yourself and point out what is weird and funny in your family. They’re probably thinking the same!
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3
Watch a movie or TV show together. Make sure it's something your brother likes. Try picking one of his favorites.
- Keep in mind that older kids should make sure the movie or show is age appropriate for younger siblings.
- For example, a horror movie might not be appropriate for younger kids since they are easily scared.
- Try sticking to funny shows and movies.
4
Read to your brother. This is especially important if he is a lot younger than you.
- Reading is an important activity for young kids.^{[2]
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- Find out your brother's favorite book or story.
- Offer to read it to him. Do funny voices for the characters to make it more fun.
5
Have a fun day out with your brother. Sometimes, it's more fun to get out of the house together.
- Try going swimming or to an amusement park in good weather.
- When it snows, go outside and have a snowball fight or make a snowman together.
- You could also go ice skating, skateboarding, or paintballing.
- Kids can go to the playground together.
- Kids and teens should make sure they have their parents' permission to go out. They should also make sure they have appropriate supervision.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Building A Relationship With Your Brother

1
Learn to communicate effectively with your brother. Communication is one of the most key elements of a healthy relationship with your brother.
- Take the time to talk to your brother. Ask about his day, what he is doing, how he is feeling, etc.
- Don't just talk about good things with your brother. Make sure you talk to him about his problems and your problems.
- Be honest about how your relationship with your brother makes you feel.
- Always communicate when you appreciate something your brother does.
- Don't let resentments build. If your brother does something that hurts your feelings, you need to tell him.
- The teenage years can test sibling relationships. It is important that teens are honest about their feelings about their siblings.
2
Be a good listener. Half of learning to get along with your brother and developing a good relationship is listening.
- Be willing to listen to how your brother is feeling.
- If your brother tells you something, don't tell the rest of your family. Keep private information to yourself.
- Focus on your brother's feelings rather than your own when you are talking.
- Be willing to apologize when you have hurt your siblings' feelings.^{[3]
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3
Make time for your brother. Don't let your relationship slide because you are busy or don't feel like it.
- Get to know what he likes to do, and spend time doing those activities with your brother.
- Plan a fun activity to do together often.
- If you show your brother you want to get to know his interests, you will show him that you want to spend time with him.
- Some things you can do with your brother are playing sports, cooking, going to the movies or sporting events, gaming, etc.
- When you are spending time with your brother, make sure you aren't distracted. Don't spend the whole time on your phone or talking to someone else.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Doing Nice Things For Your Brother

1
Remember special events. Celebrate your brother's birthday and other special days. This will make him feel appreciated.
- Find out if your brother is involved with a sporting event, volunteer organization, or hobby. Show up and lend your support at these events.
- Send cards for special events such as birthdays, anniversaries, accomplishments, etc.
- Don't just send a card or present. Try to find a card or gift that your brother will really like based on his sense of humor or interests.
- Kids can make a special card or present for their brother to show they appreciate their siblings on special occasions. Older kids, like teens, can also do this or plan a special surprise for their brother.
- Something homemade and carefully thought out shows more appreciation than something you can buy.
2
Learn your brother's favorite meal. Making your brother his favorite dinner or favorite snack will make him happy.
- Cooking for someone will make them feel appreciated.
- Take the time to learn your brother's favorite foods. This shows you take an interest in him.
- This can be a great activity to do with your brother. Have him teach you how to make his favorite meal, then make it for him by yourself another time.
- Kids shouldn't cook without supervision, though this could be a perfect way for teen siblings to bond.
3
Offer to help your brother with housework or a project. Whether you are a kid or an adult, helping your brother do chores or a big project can help to build your relationship.
- If you are a kid, offer to take over one of your brother's chores for a week. This will give him more time to do something he likes.
- Teens can help their brother with a school project, for example.
- If you are older, find out if your brother is working on a big project such as a building project, landscaping, or yard work. Offer to help him get materials or work on the project with him.
- Cooperating on a task or project can be a relationship-strengthening exercise.
- Offering a helping hand to your brother will show that you care about him and that you are paying attention to what he does and what he needs.