Activities for Kids

Children learn best through play, storytelling, singing, metaphors, and hands-on experiences. So why not use these activities to teach kids the most important life skills of compassion, kindness, and communication with others?

The activities below are aimed at helping kids develop a deeper understanding of positive character traits and patterns that will help them grow as individuals as well as get along better with others. Example learning objectives include:

~ How to communicate with respect

~ Being truthful

~ Feeling empathy for others

~ Finding ways to be generous

~ Practicing friendliness

Browse the articles:

10+ Ways To Use Emotion Cards To Help Your Child Develop Empathy

I am very excited to kick off the five-part series: “How To Cultivate Empathy In Your Child’s Heart.” Five bloggers have teamed together to post activities and ideas to help teach children about empathy. The other four blogs participating in this series are listed at the end of this article – you are warmly invited… {read more}

5 Activities To Help Your Kids Learn Perseverance

Perseverance is a quality that every child can benefit from practicing. After all, there are going to be challenges in life, and knowing how to persevere even amidst frustration or disappointment will be a great life skill. Active games and sports are a fantastic way to help strengthen one’s ability to persevere. Sports can help… {read more}

A Simple Activity To Teach Kids About Gratitude

Last week I shared a guest post at Fit Kids Clubhouse, and I would love for you to go and take a look! This little activity helped our family discuss the deeper purpose of gift-giving, and let us practice what it means to practice gratitude regardless of what you receive. Find the article here. You… {read more}

Teach Your Kids How To Be Resourceful

Sometimes I am surprised by what my kids say. One day I was sorting toys and reorganizing our storage area when my son said, “Mom, I don’t like this toy anymore, should we throw it away?” Uh, no! We could revamp it a bit, save it for your sibling, or give it away… throwing it… {read more}

Learning About Respecting Natural Habitats: Simple Activity for Preschoolers

My youngest recently found some little Australian animal figures tucked away somewhere and snakes became an immediate favorite in our house. So we’ve been looking at pictures, reading books, and learning a bit about them. It was a good opportunity to discuss the natural habitats of animals and how we should respect them, so we… {read more}

Helping Children Recognize and Practice Kindness in Speech

As a parent, it can be surprising to see your child copy your behavior, mannerisms, and even word-for-word things you have said. It is lovely when the things they repeat are good things (like “I’m happy to help!”), and alarming when those things which are not so good (“Stop. That. Right. Now”). When your child… {read more}

Create Your Own Kindness Corner: A Fun Way To Foster A Loving and Helpful Family Culture

Today I am proud to be contributing to the fabulous Kids for Kindness series in which Lauren from Tutus & Tea Parties challenges families to do an act of kindness each week which is do-able and fun. Go here to check out this lovely series of posts – there are many creative and inspiring ideas… {read more}

A Simple Random Act of Kindness: Teaching Children To Think Of Others

Teaching anyone to think of others before themselves is, I believe, a life-long endeavor. For me right now, it might mean not buying that extra shirt or a cup of coffee and instead saving the money to help someone in need. For my kids, it might mean sharing toys, happily taking turns at the playground,… {read more}

The Rain Game: Teaching Children Listening Skills

Listening is a skill. We are born to listen (remember how beautifully babies stare up and listen to your voice?) however it seems as we grow up and more thoughts enter our heads, we have to learn to balance thinking and listening. If you have ever tried to explain something to a child who only… {read more}

Teach Children Friendship Skills: How Tying Knots Can Help

In the past few months I have noticed that my four-year-old’s relationships with peers are getting more complex. Therefore we have been discussing qualities such as forgiveness, being patient, accepting differences, and being a steady friend more often. It can be difficult to share long-term vision with small children, as they really do live in… {read more}

30 Cooperative Games for Preschoolers

This document has now been turned into a beautiful FREE ebook which you can read more about here! I am very excited to offer a new resource consisting of 30 games for preschoolers! These games are not competitive like many games commonly used… they require children to cooperate, be observant, or simply “play” without… {read more}

{Homemade Place-Mat Printable} Encourage Respectful Behavior At The Table

With small children who have a hard time sitting still or doing any activity for an extended period of time, meal times are constantly on my list of areas to work on. In our case the biggest struggle is staying in your seat for the entire meal (or even three minutes in a row). Whether… {read more}

Taking a Moment To Pause and Appreciate Natural Beauty (Good For Kids And Mom)

We all have those days. The ones when our nerves seem to be on edge. When we feel overwhelmed by what is going on around us. When we know we need to take a moment to re-center but there are so many things to do that we have trouble making the time. At least I… {read more}

Help Your Kids Practice “Self-Confidence” Through Puppet Shows

Increasing self-confidence helps us learn how to see the world through our own eyes and live using on the wisdom we gather through experience. It reminds us not to base our self-worth or decisions on what we hear or see from others, but to honor our true selves within. In a world increasingly concerned with… {read more}

Teaching Children To Appreciate Diversity

Some days I am not sure what our character development activity will be until we are already half way into it. This is what you may call finding a “teachable moment.” Parents do it every time they thankfully acknowledge a “please” or “excuse me” (which would be reinforcing courtesy) but I have found taking it… {read more}

Teach Children Responsibility: Pledge Hand Craft

I think I can safely say that we all want our kids to learn to put their things away, respect the house they live in, and be kind to others. And teaching a child to be nice and help out is great. But I’ve been thinking lately about how instilling a sense of responsibility –… {read more}

Learning About Resilience Through Nature

A few days ago I asked for suggestions on my Facebook page about specific qualities I might post about, and “resilience” was mentioned quite a few times. Resilience covers so many character traits… because it means that we keep a positive attitude, develop coping skills, and arise to meet challenges with strength and determination to… {read more}

No Point Carrying Emotional Baggage

Living in the past, holding onto grudges, and not letting go of anger can seriously affect people’s lives and overall happiness. I believe it is so important we model forgiveness to our children so they can be free of negativity and blame. Imagine how powerful it would be to learn to forgive (in a deep… {read more}

Keeping “Sharing” Positive With Pictionary

I think everyone can benefit from a reminder about the enjoyment we get from sharing sometimes. After all I know how even I experience a little hesitation sharing my favorite snack if there are only a few bites left (mmmm strawberries)… how much harder might it be for my two year old to share the… {read more}

Sneezing Etiquette: Learning To Be Courteous

Practicing good manners is always useful for young children. We may think they should already *know* not to cough in their brother’s face or not to wipe their noses on the couch, but actually they need to be taught about even the littlest of habits. I have found that this activity is a fun way… {read more}

Going The Extra Mile: Being Determined

When we have our eyes set on our goal and do not give up until we get there, we are practicing determination. Sometimes that is not as easy as it seems… there are obstacles along the way, distractions that take us off course, and even the lack of willpower that can make us stop in… {read more}

Activities for Kids