I ended up designing a little board game for them to play that would start conversation about friendship. For this game, I had students spin the spinner (I used the one with the words and pictures, but also included a blank version), and they had to share something with those they were playing the game with. They had to share about what makes them a good friend, what they would say to a bully, what do they do that makes someone smile, and give a complement to one of the people they were playing the game with. After they shared whatever was listed for the color, they were able to move their game piece (mini eraser) to the next color square of what they spun (Candyland-style). Once they played a few turns, they got the hang of it and I heard some great things being shared.
After playing the game, we busted out the play dough and made our own Stick and Stone and created activities for them to do together. We had Stick and Stone making snowmen, baking cakes, going to McDonalds and many other creating things. They students had a blast and love it when I bring play dough for activities. I also heard quite a bit of role playing with the Stick and Stone characters they made using some of the things they shared during the game. "Please be good friend to Stone. He is very nice!" It was a great way to tie everything together and bring the friendship idea full circle for them.