Fostering a positive mindset in children is key to helping them navigate challenges with confidence and resilience.
These 10 creative activities are designed to encourage gratitude, optimism, and self-expression, providing fun ways for kids to build emotional strength and maintain a positive outlook on life.
1. Positive affirmation for kids
Positive affirmation are a creative way to help children build confidence and self-belief.
The more they repeat these affirmations, the more they internalize positive thinking.
It’s a simple but effective way to help kids focus on their strengths and grow emotionally.
The Anderson family had an incredible experience with the “You Are Valuable” affirmation on the Storybook app!
Their son, who was struggling with self-worth, found comfort in the affirmation and started to believe in his unique qualities. It helped him overcome his emotional challenges and feel more confident in who he is.
If you want to boost your child's self-esteem and help them tackle emotional struggles, give Storybook a try! 🌟 It’s a fun and effective way to remind them of their worth every day! 😊
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2. Compliment circle
Family bonding activities like a compliment circle are a wonderful way to encourage positivity and build self-esteem among kids.
In this activity, each participant takes turns giving genuine compliments to the person next to them, focusing on positive qualities, actions, or behaviors.
How to play:
- Have everyone sit in a circle.
- Take turns giving a compliment to the person sitting next to you. It can be about anything positive—such as being kind, helpful, or hard-working.
- Continue around the circle until everyone has both given and received a compliment.
Benefits:
This activity fosters a positive atmosphere and encourages kids to recognize and appreciate each other’s strengths. It helps boost self-esteem, promotes kindness, and encourages empathy.
3. Gratitude jar
A gratitude jar is one of the simplest and fun gratitude activities for kids that helps kids focus on the positive things in their lives.
Each day, encourage your child to write down something they’re thankful for, whether it’s a person, an experience, or something they enjoyed.
Place these notes in a jar and read them together at the end of the week or month.
How to play:
- Provide your child with small pieces of paper and a jar.
- Each day, have them write down one thing they are grateful for and place it in the jar.
- At the end of the week, read through the notes together, reflecting on the positive moments.
Benefits:
This activity promotes a sense of gratitude, helping kids focus on the good in their lives. It encourages positive thinking, boosts mood, and strengthens emotional well-being. It’s also a great way to build family bonding as you share what you’re thankful for together.
4. Mindful breathing and relaxation
Mindful breathing and relaxation exercises are simple yet powerful activities that help children manage stress and develop emotional awareness.
By guiding them through breathing techniques, they can learn to calm their minds and focus on the present moment, promoting a sense of peace and balance.
The Green family had an amazing experience with the "Mindful Breathing" story on the Storybook app!
Their son, who was struggling with anxiety before school, found comfort in the breathing exercises shared in the story.
After practicing together, he felt calmer and more focused, ready to start his day. 💖
If you’re looking for a fun and effective way to help your child manage their emotions, try Storybook today! It’s a great way to bring calm and positivity into their routine. 😊
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5. The positivity wall
The Positivity Wall is a dedicated space where kids can post positive words, pictures, or quotes that inspire them.
It’s a fun and interactive way to create a visual reminder of positivity, helping kids focus on good things and encouraging a more optimistic outlook.
How to play:
- Set up a wall or board in your home where kids can freely add positive affirmations, uplifting quotes, or images that make them feel happy and motivated.
- Encourage them to contribute daily or weekly, making it a fun ritual.
- As a family, take time to read the wall together and reflect on the positive messages.
Benefits:
This activity promotes positivity and self-expression while reinforcing an optimistic mindset.
It helps children focus on the good around them, boosting their mood and encouraging gratitude.
The positivity wall also encourages creativity and provides a shared space for the family to connect and reflect on positive thoughts.
6. “I can” board
An “I Can” board is a fun and empowering way for kids to track their accomplishments and celebrate their abilities.
They create a board where they can display things they can do or goals they’ve achieved, helping them focus on their strengths and progress.
How to play:
- Set up a board or large piece of paper where your child can add items like "I can ride my bike," "I can tie my shoes," or "I can help with the dishes."
- Encourage your child to add new achievements to the board regularly.
- Celebrate each new addition, reinforcing their sense of accomplishment and growth.
Benefits:
This activity boosts confidence and helps children recognize their abilities and growth.
It reinforces a positive mindset by focusing on progress, no matter how big or small.
The "I Can" board also motivates children to set new goals and embrace challenges with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
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7. Positivity pictionary
Positivity Pictionary is a fun and creative game that encourages children to think positively while using their imagination.
Instead of drawing ordinary objects, the goal is to illustrate positive words, emotions, or actions, such as "kindness," "happiness," or "helping others."
How to play:
- Write a list of positive words, emotions, or actions on small pieces of paper and place them in a hat or bowl.
- Take turns drawing one of the words and illustrating it while others guess what it is.
- Keep the mood light and fun, reinforcing the positive messages throughout the game.
Benefits:
This activity encourages creativity and reinforces positive thinking. It helps children focus on positive emotions and actions while practicing teamwork and communication.
Positivity Pictionary also promotes a fun, uplifting environment that nurtures optimism and joy.
8. Acts of kindness challenge
The Acts of Kindness Challenge encourages children to perform small acts of kindness throughout the day, helping them develop empathy, generosity, and positive social skills.
These kindness activities for kids promote a mindset focused on helping others and spreading positivity.
How to play:
- Create a list of simple acts of kindness that your child can do, such as "help someone with their homework," "give a compliment," or "share a toy."
- Challenge your child to complete at least one act of kindness each day.
- At the end of the week, discuss the acts of kindness they did and how it made them feel.
Benefits:
This activity helps children develop a sense of empathy, reinforces positive behavior, and builds emotional intelligence.
It encourages kindness and the understanding that small actions can have a big impact.
It also strengthens family bonds by creating opportunities to reflect on kindness together.
9. Positive memory scrapbook
A positive memory scrapbook is a creative way for children to capture and reflect on happy moments.
By collecting photos, drawings, and mementos from positive experiences, kids can create a visual reminder of the good things in their lives.
How to play:
- Provide your child with a scrapbook, stickers, markers, and other craft supplies.
- Encourage them to add photos, drawings, or other items that represent happy memories, such as family trips, special achievements, or joyful moments.
- Let them decorate the pages with personal touches and write captions or notes about each memory.
Benefits:
This activity helps children focus on positive experiences, building gratitude and optimism.
It encourages reflection on happy moments, boosting self-esteem and emotional well-being.
The scrapbook serves as a lasting reminder of joy and can help children cultivate a positive outlook on life.
10. Vision board
A vision board is a creative tool for children to visualize their goals, dreams, and positive aspirations.
By cutting out pictures and words from magazines or drawing their own, kids can create a visual representation of what they hope to achieve or experience.
How to play:
- Provide your child with a large board or poster, scissors, glue, and magazines (or drawing materials).
- Encourage them to find images or words that inspire them and represent their goals, dreams, or things that bring them joy.
- Help them arrange and glue the items on the board, creating a collage of their aspirations.
- Place the finished vision board in a visible area to serve as a daily reminder of their positive goals.
Benefits:
This activity helps children focus on their goals, fostering a sense of purpose and motivation.
It encourages creativity and positive thinking, while also helping children build confidence as they visualize their future successes.
The vision board serves as an ongoing source of inspiration and can remind children of the possibilities they can achieve.
Why positivity matters for kids
Positivity plays a crucial role in a child's emotional and mental development. When children adopt a positive mindset, they are more likely to approach challenges with confidence, resilience, and optimism. Positive thinking helps them build strong self-esteem, cope with difficulties, and develop healthy relationships with others.
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Written By
Entrepreneur mum. I created Storybook: Bedtime Stories the #1 app in over 90 countries. I have been able to help families with the app and through my social media influence. I also created a Facebook group with over 12,000 moms where we support each other.
Medically Reviewed by:
Francisco Cornejo, a dynamic entrepreneur with a Masters in Communication from RMIT University in Australia, is the Co-Founder and CEO of Storybook. As a serial entrepreneur, he notably served as the Chief Marketing Officer at Honda Motors in Latin America, shaping the brand's regional presence. Passionate about family well-being and communication, Francisco leads Storybook in its mission to improve children's health globally, aiming to create positive impacts in both corporate and societal spheres.
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