10 Activities to Boost Self-Esteem in Teens

Every teenager questions their worth, whether as a result of bullying, a tumultuous upbringing, or mental illness. While self-esteem issues often have straightforward remedies, severe problems can lead to impaired relationships and academic setbacks.

Fortunately, self-esteem activities for teens can fundamentally equip adolescents to navigate their woes through healthy coping mechanisms and in a safe space. Discover how you can help your teen achieve a much-needed self-esteem boost with our favorite activities!

Self-Esteem in Teens

Self-esteem refers to how good an individual feels about themselves and their abilities. A teenager with low self-esteem might feel inferior to their peers or like they are academic failures.

How a teenager perceives themselves may be influenced by multiple factors, including:

• Parental influence. A teenager raised in a hostile familial environment may grow up fearful and afraid of making mistakes. If a child is scolded more than they are praised, they may struggle to feel good when they achieve something positive.
• Learning environments. A child’s learning environment can influence their confidence in their abilities. Positive learning environments where children are rewarded for their efforts—not just their successes—lead to better self-esteem.
• Socioeconomic status. Generally, adolescents from higher socioeconomic classes have higher self-esteem. Financial difficulties at home can lead to higher levels of distress, and they may struggle to develop meaningful relationships with others [*].
• Racism. Micro and macro-levels of discrimination against an adolescent can make them question their worth and identity [*]. They become prone to developing depression and may even struggle to complete everyday tasks.
• Physical disabilities. Chronic or terminal physical illnesses can negatively impact a child’s self-concept as they experience changes in appearance and a loss of control over their bodies [*].

Causes of Low Self-Esteem in Teens

Teenagers develop low self-esteem primarily when they feel overly criticized and unsupported by their parents, teachers, and peers. They may aggressively criticize their skills and worth if they don't feel loved and valued.

Other causes of low self-esteem might include the following:

• Struggles to keep up with academic pressures
• Chemical imbalances or underlying health conditions
• Traumatic events such as the loss of a loved one or divorce
• Perfectionism and all-or-nothing mindsets
• Learning difficulties or disabilities
• Comparisons to others

Signs of Low Self-Esteem in Teens

Low self-esteem can manifest in emotional and physical symptoms. Some of the emotional signs you may notice in a teenager with low self-esteem include:

• Feeling unloved, unwanted, and worthless
• Struggling to deal with frustration and anger
• Avoiding a task without even trying for fear of failure
• Quitting soon after beginning a task
• Becoming controlling, bossy, and inflexible

Physical signs of low self-esteem might include the following:

• Poor posture, like slouching
• Nervous habits like skin picking or fidgeting
• Self-deprecating remarks
• Avoiding eye contact
• Excessive grooming or obsession with appearance

10 Self-Esteem Activities for Teens

While teenage self-esteem changes over time, practicing activities to boost teen self-esteem is essential. Here are our top ten activities to build self-esteem in teens.

1. Goal-Setting

Goal-setting plays a fundamental role in an individual’s personal growth and achievements. Setting goals with your child can encourage a sense of purpose and excite them to work toward something.

When teenagers achieve something, they get a much-needed boost of self-confidence and reinforce their capacity for action.

Related Handout: Goal Setting Tips For Success

2. Volunteering

Volunteering has apparent benefits for the community, but did you know it can also boost self-esteem? Teenagers who volunteer feel a natural sense of accomplishment, pride, and identity.

Volunteering can also combat depression. For example, working with animals has improved mood, reduced stress, and prevented anxiety [*].

3. Journaling

Journaling provides individuals with a platform for self-reflection, allowing people to look back at their achievements and appreciate their experiences. Through journaling, teenagers can see how far they’ve come and grown.

Encourage your child to use their journal to:

• Explore their positive qualities
• Note their achievements and acknowledge their capabilities
• Write down daily positive affirmations
• Reflect on hobbies that make them feel good
• Combat negative self-beliefs

4. Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations for self-esteem speak for themselves. Teenagers can use them to reinforce their favorite qualities and good habits or to inspire them to improve an aspect of themselves.

Ask your teen to write positive affirmations unique to themselves. For instance, if your child is an athlete, a good affirmation might be, “I am hardworking and always improving at my sport.”

5. Skills Development

Teenagers with low self-esteem struggle to appreciate what they’re capable of achieving. They can celebrate their progress and little victories by working on a particular skill.

Your child can develop a wealth of skills, such as creative skills (painting, playing an instrument, or creative writing), sports skills, language skills, or digital skills.

6. Physical Activity

It has long been established that exercise boosts confidence. Why? Working out regularly can improve body image and benefit one’s mental health by releasing healthy neurochemicals in the brain.

Exercise can give teenagers more energy to pursue their goals and work on their skills by lowering the risk of depression, eliminating stress, and improving sleep. If your child isn’t used to exercising, start small with simple activities like short daily walks or yoga at home.

7. Creative Projects

Creativity isn’t necessarily born from talent—it’s a skill teenagers can hone over time. Teenagers may not feel they are good enough to be creative, so reinforce that they possess a unique perspective on what creativity is and that they should value their ideas.

Encourage them to practice and learn, whether interested in writing, painting, or becoming musically inclined. Motivate them to embrace failures as learning opportunities that are mere stepping stones to success.

8. Socializing

People are innately social—especially teenagers! When the right people surround teenagers, they become more emotionally fulfilled and secure within their relationships. Encouraging your child to meet with like-minded people can make them more confident in their skills and interests.

In addition, being part of a social circle enhances a teen’s sense of belonging and community. When they feel supported by their friends, they develop a greater life purpose and are likelier to make healthier choices.

Related Article: A Guide to Building Strong Social Skills for Teens

9. Reading Books

According to a study by Dr. Josie Billington, individuals who read for pleasure often have higher self-esteem, experience less stress, and have healthier coping mechanisms [*]. But how? Reading broadens our horizons and asks us to see things from different perspectives.

Children learn what it means to be empathetic, tolerant, and curious as they read, improving their overall interpersonal skills. Should they want to explore topics directly related to self-esteem, they can explore our favorite self-esteem books.

10. Mindfulness

Mindfulness trains individuals to observe and accept their feelings as they occur without reacting irrationally. The more teenagers practice mindfulness, the better they can manage negative emotions about themselves and others.

There are many ways teenagers can use mindfulness to improve their self-esteem:

• Visualizing positive versions of themselves
• Focusing on their accomplishments instead of their failures
• Recognizing an anxious mindset and challenging it
• Reducing insecurities over time

In the six pillars of self-esteem, mindfulness falls under the ability to live consciously and purposefully.

Help your child start their mindfulness journey with our DBT mindfulness exercises.

The Bottom Line

Struggling with self-esteem is inevitable, especially for teenagers discovering their strengths and weaknesses for the first time. Your child can blossom into a confident and well-rounded person by practicing teen self-esteem activities.

Some teenagers are visual learners and prefer a helping aid. Supplement the activities listed above with resources from our self-esteem worksheets collection.

Sources:

1. Bai X, Jiang L, Zhang Q, et al. “Subjective Family Socioeconomic Status and Peer Relationships: Mediating Roles of Self-Esteem and Perceived Stress.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2021.
2. Kim H, Han K, Won S. “Perceived Discrimination as a Critical Factor Affecting Self-Esteem, Satisfaction with Physical Appearance and Depression of Racial/Ethnic Minority Adolescents in Korea.” Behavioral Science, 2023.
3. Juth V, Smyth JM, Santuzzi AM. “How Do You Feel? Self-esteem Predicts Affect, Stress, Social Interaction, and Symptom Severity during Daily Life in Patients with Chronic Illness.” Journal of Health Psychology, 2008.
4. Purewal R, Christley R, Kordas K, et al. “Companion Animals and Child/Adolescent Development: A Systematic Review of the Evidence.” International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health/International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health, 2017.
5. Wood S. “Can reading for pleasure improve your life?” University of Liverpool News, 2016.