10 Fun Self-Esteem Activities for Kids

Every child deserves to feel good about who they are. But for many kids, that doesn’t come naturally. As a parent or teacher, you may have noticed how some children hold back, give up easily, or say, “I’m not good at anything.” That’s where self-esteem activities for kids can really help.

Self-esteem is about more than simply feeling happy. It is the inner belief that tells a child, “I can do this.” When that belief is strong, children are more willing to try new experiences, recover from mistakes, and relate well to others [*].

When self-esteem is weak, even small everyday challenges may feel difficult to face. It may make school feel stressful, friendships feel uncertain, and emotions harder to manage. In contrast, healthy self-esteem helps children thrive across these areas.

The good news? Confidence can be nurtured. Because it is a skill, children can strengthen it through consistent practice. Here are fun, research-backed activities kids can try!

10 Fun Self-Esteem Activities for Kids

The best part is that activities that support self-esteem do not have to feel boring or overly structured. In fact, children are more willing to participate when activities are engaging.

You can use these ideas at home as a weekend activity, before or after school, or even as part of a daily routine. If you are a teacher, many of these activities can also be adapted to suit your classroom needs.

They may also serve as a helpful complement to therapy if your child is already working with a mental health professional.

1. Positive affirmations

Affirmations are short, positive statements that a person says about themselves on purpose. Think of them as little “pep talks” that kids give to themselves.

Research shows that affirmations help kids handle hard situations better [*]. Instead of letting difficult moment or bad day define them, kids start to see the full picture — a person who is worthy.

To get started, invite your child to come up with a few kind statements they can say to themselves each day. These should be believable and focused on their strengths.

For example, they might say:

• I am courageous.
• I am kind to myself even when times are tough.
• I am capable of achieving my goals.

Younger children may enjoy saying these aloud in front of a mirror, while older kids can write them down on sticky notes or on cards they keep in their backpack.

2. Journaling

Journaling can be a powerful activity for children, as it offers them a chance to pause and reflect. It’s one of the simplest yet most effective self-esteem activities for kids, and the best part is it requires almost nothing to get started.

There are many meaningful things children can journal about. They might write about:

• Something they did well that day (like answering a question in class or helping a friend)
• Three things they like about themselves
• A challenge they overcame

If your child is unsure what to write, journaling prompts can be a helpful way to get them started. I’ve compiled a list of 100+ journal prompts across different categories, including confidence and growth mindset. This makes it easier to find prompts that support what they are currently struggling with.

I also have a separate list of gratitude journal prompts with questions that help children focus on the positive.

3. Role-playing

Some of the biggest confidence challenges for kids happen during everyday social situations — like when a friend leaves them out or they need to speak up for themselves.

Role-playing or pretend play gives children a safe space to practice these moments before they happen in real life. Try practicing relatable situations at home, such as asking to join a game, telling someone to stop hurtful behavior, or asking a teacher for help.

They can practice assertiveness phrases such as “Please stop,” “I don’t like that,” “Can I join?” or “I need help.” These phrases help children express themselves clearly and respectfully, which may strengthen self-esteem over time.

4. Goal-setting

Another powerful way a child’s self-esteem grows is when parents actively support them in setting and achieving goals.

Something meaningful happens when a child works toward a goal and seeing their own effort pay off. Over time, repeated experiences of succeeding help reinforce the belief that they are competent [*].

The key, however, is not just setting any goal — it’s setting SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. In simple terms, a good goal should be clear enough, realistic enough that it feels possible, and connected to a timeline so there is a finish line.

Find more effective goal-setting strategies in our handout.

5. Act of kindness

Children who do something kind for others — whether it’s helping a classmate with their homework, sharing their lunch with someone who forgot theirs — tend to develop a greater sense of self-worth.

Research suggests that prosocial behaviors like kindness are linked to higher self-esteem. This connection is also supported by warm parenting, where parents model kindness themselves and show interest in their child’s feelings [*].

Simple ways to encourage this at home include doing kindness crafts (like making bracelets or writing cards for others), reading books on kindness, and answering printable worksheets.

6. Mindfulness

Mindfulness teaches kids to notice their thoughts and feelings without being ruled by them. This awareness is an important foundation for self-esteem because it teaches kids that these are something they can manage.

Getting started with mindfulness doesn't have to be complicated. A few deep breaths, a quick look around the room to spot five familiar things, or a short guided meditation is more than enough.

In classrooms, mindfulness can be used as a short “reset” between subjects to help relieve stress. Examples of mindfulness activities include yoga, finger painting, and creating beaded bracelets.

7. Age-appropriate chores

Research suggests that children who begin helping with simple chores from an early age, even around 3 years old, may develop stronger self-esteem and a greater sense of responsibility [*].

Small tasks like putting toys away or helping set the table teach children that their contributions matter.

It is also important for families to remember that children may respond to chores in different ways. Some children are naturally more willing to help, while others may resist at first. This is completely normal.

What helps is creating consistent routines so children know what is expected, along with a simple reward system, such as stickers, praise, or extra playtime.

8. Positive self-talk

Children constantly talk to themselves, even if they don’t always say it out loud. Positive self-talk can be a powerful tool for dealing with stressful situations that kids commonly face, such as a big game, a test at school, meeting new classmates.

In these moments, positive thoughts like “I prepared for this” or “I can try my best” help children feel more equipped.

There are many simple ways to practice positive self-talk:

• Encourage children to say a few positive phrases out loud in front of a mirror each morning.
• Write encouraging phrases on index cards or sticky notes.
• Help children notice unhelpful thoughts like “I’m going to fail” and replace them with more realistic ones such as “I studied and will do my best.”
• Before a test, game, or social event, invite them to repeat calming phrases.

Another helpful way to strengthen positive self-talk is through modeling. Let children hear parents and teachers use encouraging inner dialogue out loud,.

9. Team sports

Research suggests that structured sports programs may help strengthen self-esteem by giving children opportunities to build skills and develop a sense of belonging within a supportive team environment [*].

A variety of team sports have been studied in relation to children’s self-esteem. These include soccer, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, and other group-based activities.

Even outside of formal sports, group activities like dance classes, martial arts, or school clubs can provide similar benefits. The focus should always be on enjoyment rather than performance alone.

10. Yoga

Yoga improves not only a child’s physical health but also their mental and emotional health. It helps children recognize their own strength as they hold poses and try new movements.

A great way to begin is by starting with simple, confidence-building poses that feel approachable for beginners. Poses such as mountain pose, child’s pose, and seated forward bend are excellent starting points.

The Bottom Line

Activities such as journaling, role-playing, sports, and positive self-talk can help children develop skills they can carry into real-life situations.

The most important thing is to keep these activities fun and low-pressure. Children are more likely to engage when the experience doesn’t feel forced. Remember that every child is different, so feel free to adapt these ideas based on their age and needs.

I hope this list has given you helpful ideas to support the children in your life. If you’re looking for more resources, explore our Self-Esteem Worksheets!

References:

1. Hosogi, M., Okada, A., Fujii, C., Noguchi, K., & Watanabe, K. (2012). Importance and usefulness of evaluating self-esteem in children. Biopsychosocial Medicine, 6, 9.https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0759-6-9
2. Escobar-Soler, C., Berrios, R., Peñaloza-Díaz, G., Melis-Rivera, C., Caqueo-Urízar, A., Ponce-Correa, F., & Flores, J. (2023). Effectiveness of Self-Affirmation Interventions in Educational Settings: A Meta-Analysis. Healthcare, 12(1), 3.https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12010003
3. EdM, B. C. (2024, August 21). The importance of positive self-esteem for kids. Understood.https://www.understood.org/en/articles/positive-self-esteem-kids-importance
4. (2015). Positive Parenting and Children’s Prosocial Behavior in Eight Countries. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines, 57(7), 824.https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12477
5. Aacap. (n.d.). Chores and children.https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Chores_and_Children-125.aspx
6. Godor, B. P. (2025). Cultivating resilience in youth: Assessing the psychological benefits of sport-based development programs. Journal of Sport for Development, 13(1).https://jsfd.org/2025/06/03/cultivating-resilience-in-youth-assessing-the-psychological-benefits-of-sport-based-development-programs/