10 Growth Mindset Activities for Kids to Flourish in 2025

In an increasingly complex world, equipping our children with emotional resilience is paramount. Recent statistics from children's mental health charities in the UK highlight a worrying trend, with a significant number of young people experiencing anxiety and low self-esteem, often intensified by the pressures of social media. A growth mindset, the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, is not just an educational buzzword; it is a foundational tool for mental wellbeing. This article moves beyond theory to provide ten practical, actionable growth mindset activities for kids designed to build this crucial perspective.

We will explore how these simple exercises can build resilience, normalise challenges, and empower your child to see effort as the path to mastery. By focusing on process over perfection, we can help them navigate life's inevitable setbacks with strength and optimism, setting them up for a healthier, more confident future. These strategies are beneficial for home use and can be adapted for the classroom; for more strategies specifically tailored to an educational setting, consider exploring additional resources on growth mindset activities for students.

Important Note: I am not a mental health professional. This article is for informational purposes only. If you have concerns about a child's mental health, please consult a GP or a qualified mental health professional for guidance.

1. The Effort-Based Praise Game

The Effort-Based Praise Game is less of a formal game and more of a conscious shift in communication. Popularised by Stanford University researcher Carol Dweck, it involves deliberately praising the process a child engages in rather than their innate talent or the final outcome. This simple change helps children connect their successes to hard work, strategy, and perseverance, which are the foundational pillars of a growth mindset. It's one of the most effective growth mindset activities for kids because it reframes their entire understanding of achievement.

Why It Works

When we praise children for being "smart" or "a natural," we subtly reinforce a fixed mindset. This implies that their abilities are static gifts they either have or don't. Consequently, they may shy away from challenges, fearing failure might disprove their "smart" label. Praising effort, however, teaches them that abilities are malleable and can be developed. This builds resilience and a willingness to embrace difficult tasks as opportunities for growth.

How to Implement It

• Be Specific and Process-Oriented: Instead of saying, "You're brilliant at maths," try, "I’m so impressed with how you kept trying different strategies to solve that difficult maths problem."
• Acknowledge Persistence: If a child is struggling, focus on their dedication. For example, "Building that Lego tower was tricky, but your persistence paid off. Look at the strong base you created!"
• Focus on Improvement: In sports or other skill-based activities, shift the focus from winning. A practical example would be a coach saying, "Your footwork has improved so much because you've been practising that new technique consistently."

By modelling this language yourself and encouraging other adults in your child's life to do the same, you create a consistent environment where effort is the hero, not innate ability.

2. Challenge-Based Learning Projects

Challenge-Based Learning Projects are structured, long-term activities where children tackle meaningful problems that become progressively more difficult. Pioneered by organisations like the Buck Institute for Education, this approach immerses children in hands-on tasks that require persistence, problem-solving, and iteration. Whether it's a student-led science fair project or a community improvement initiative, these projects teach children that struggle is a productive and natural part of the learning process. This makes them one of the most powerful growth mindset activities for kids, as they directly link effort with tangible progress and competence.

Why It Works

This method reframes challenges from intimidating obstacles into exciting puzzles to be solved. By working on a project over time, children experience the direct results of their sustained effort and strategic thinking. They learn to view setbacks not as failures but as valuable feedback, which builds resilience and intellectual courage. This process strengthens the neural connections in the brain associated with learning and problem-solving, physically reinforcing the idea that their abilities can and do grow.

How to Implement It

• Start with a Familiar Context: Begin with a problem that relates to their immediate world, like designing a better system for organising classroom supplies, before moving to more abstract challenges.
• Build in Iteration: Structure the project so that creating a first draft or prototype is just the beginning. Emphasise that revising and improving their work based on feedback is the most crucial part.
• Celebrate Multiple Solutions: Shift the focus from finding the single "correct" answer to appreciating the creativity and logic behind various approaches. This encourages innovative thinking. A practical example is to ask students to present three different ways to solve a problem.
• Provide Resources and Mentors: Ensure children have access to the tools, information, and guidance they need to navigate the challenge without becoming overwhelmed. This teaches them to seek help strategically.

3. The Failure Museum Activity

The Failure Museum Activity is a powerful, hands-on project that reframes mistakes as valuable artefacts of learning. Inspired by educators and authors like Kathryn Schulz, this activity involves creating a dedicated space to showcase "failures" and the lessons they taught. This can be a physical classroom wall, a family notice board, or a personal journal. By treating mistakes as exhibits to be analysed and celebrated, it fundamentally shifts a child’s perspective, teaching them that failure is not an endpoint but a crucial stepping stone towards success.

Why It Works

Children often feel shame or anxiety when they make mistakes, which can lead them to avoid challenges altogether. The Failure Museum directly combats this by normalising errors as a natural part of the learning process. It externalises the "failure," turning it into an object of curiosity rather than a reflection of self-worth. This growth mindset activity for kids helps build emotional resilience, encourages risk-taking, and fosters a culture where it's safe to try, stumble, and learn without judgement.

How to Implement It

• Model Vulnerability First: Begin by sharing your own failures. A practical example is an adult posting a note saying, "I tried a new recipe and burnt the dinner, but I learnt not to have the heat so high next time!"
• Focus on the Lesson: For each exhibit, the emphasis should be on what was learnt. A child could display a collapsed clay pot with a caption: "My first pot fell apart. I learnt I need to make the base stronger."
• Create a Public or Private Space: A classroom could have a "Fantastic Failures" wall, while a family might use a section of the fridge. For a more personal approach, a "Mistake Journal" works well.
• Celebrate the Entries: Make a point of celebrating new additions to the museum. This reinforces the idea that learning from mistakes is a praiseworthy achievement.

By making failure a visible and valued part of the environment, you teach children that setbacks are simply data for their next attempt.

4. Brain-Building Challenge Cards

Brain-Building Challenge Cards transform mental exercises into an engaging game. This system uses a deck of cards, each featuring a progressively challenging puzzle, riddle, creative prompt, or strategic task. The core concept is framing these activities as a workout for the brain, helping it grow stronger and more flexible, just like physical exercise builds muscle. This approach is one of the most powerful growth mindset activities for kids as it tangibly demonstrates that intellectual abilities can be developed through practice.

Why It Works

This method directly tackles the fixed mindset belief that intelligence is a finite resource. By presenting challenges as "brain exercises," children learn that struggling with a difficult logic puzzle isn't a sign of failure; it's the very process that strengthens their cognitive skills. It externalises the challenge, making it a fun opponent to overcome rather than an internal test of their worth. This reframing builds resilience and encourages children to actively seek out demanding tasks.

How to Implement It

• Frame the Activity: Start by explaining, "Just like we do sports to make our bodies stronger, these cards will exercise our brains to make them more powerful at solving problems."
• Focus on Strategy: After a child completes or attempts a card, ask questions like, "What was your strategy here?" or "What did you learn from the first attempt that helped you on the second?"
• Encourage Collaboration: Create a team version where children work together on a particularly tricky card. A practical example would be a 'puzzle of the week' that a family solves together.
• Mix the Difficulty: Ensure the card deck includes a wide range of difficulty levels. This guarantees quick wins to build confidence and tougher challenges that normalise productive struggle.

5. The 'Yet' Practice

The 'Yet' Practice is a beautifully simple yet profound linguistic tool for nurturing a growth mindset. Popularised by Carol Dweck, this technique involves adding one small word to the end of a self-limiting statement: "yet." A phrase like "I can't ride my bike" transforms into "I can't ride my bike... yet." This addition shifts the statement from a permanent fact into a temporary situation, immediately reframing a challenge as a point on a journey rather than a final destination. It is one of the most powerful and easy-to-implement growth mindset activities for kids.

Why It Works

This simple adjustment helps children internalise that abilities are not fixed. By acknowledging a present limitation while simultaneously implying future success, the word 'yet' builds resilience and hope. It helps children manage frustration by turning moments of failure into opportunities for learning and improvement. This linguistic shift is crucial for developing emotional literacy, teaching children to recognise and express their feelings about a challenge without giving up. Exploring activities that build this skill can be incredibly beneficial; learn more about emotional literacy activities here.

How to Implement It

• Model the Language: Use "yet" in your own self-talk. For example, "I haven't quite figured out this new software yet, but I'll get there."
• Create Visual Reminders: Put up posters in classrooms or at home with empowering phrases like, "I don't understand this... YET!" or "This isn't working... YET!"
• Prompt Gently: When a child says, "I can't do it," gently ask, "You can't do it... yet?" to help them make the connection themselves.
• Link to Action: A practical example is to pair the 'yet' statement with a plan. "I can't solve this maths problem yet, so I am going to try a new strategy."

By making 'yet' a regular part of your family's or classroom's vocabulary, you empower children to view challenges not as insurmountable walls, but as hurdles they are on their way to clearing.

6. Strategy Swap Sessions

A Strategy Swap Session is a collaborative activity where children share the specific methods they used to solve a problem or complete a task. Rather than focusing on just the right answer, this approach highlights the diverse strategies and thought processes that lead to success. It's a powerful tool that normalises seeking help, learning from peers, and understanding that there are many different paths to a solution. This makes it one of the most effective growth mindset activities for kids as it builds a classroom or home culture centred on learning, not just performance.

Why It Works

This activity directly challenges the fixed-mindset belief that there is only one "smart" way to do something. When children see their peers using different, equally valid methods, they learn that intelligence is not about knowing the answer instantly but about developing effective strategies. It fosters a safe environment where asking, "How did you do that?" is encouraged, turning peers into valuable learning resources. This process builds metacognitive skills, helping children think about their own thinking and adapt their approach when they get stuck.

How to Implement It

• Frame It as a Team Effort: Introduce the session by saying, "Let’s share our toolkits. Everyone found a different way up the mountain, and all the paths are interesting!"
• Use Sentence Starters: Provide prompts to guide sharing, such as, "The first thing I tried was..." or "I got stuck, so then I..." This helps children articulate their process.
• Visualise the Strategies: After a child shares their method for a maths problem or a writing task, record it on a whiteboard or poster. This creates a visual library of strategies that everyone can refer to later.
• Rotate the Sharers: Ensure that different children have the opportunity to share their strategies over time. This reinforces the idea that everyone has valuable insights to contribute, not just the students who finish first.

7. Growth Mindset Journaling

Growth Mindset Journaling is a structured, reflective practice where children regularly write about their experiences. The focus is on deconstructing challenges, acknowledging the effort they applied, detailing the strategies they used, and identifying the lessons learned. This act of written reflection helps children internalise the crucial connection between effort, strategy, and personal growth, making it a powerful tool among growth mindset activities for kids.

Why It Works

This practice encourages metacognition, or thinking about one's own thinking. When children document their journey, they create a tangible record of their progress that isn't tied to a final score or grade. It provides a private space to be honest about struggles without fear of judgement, reframing obstacles as normal parts of the learning process. Over time, this builds self-awareness and reinforces the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and smart strategies, which is a cornerstone of good mental wellbeing.

How to Implement It

• Use Specific Prompts: Guide their reflection with open-ended questions. Use sentence starters like, "Today I felt challenged by...", "One strategy I tried was...", and "Next time, I will try..." to help them structure their thoughts.
• Make It a Routine: Consistency is key. Set aside a few minutes each day or week for journaling, making it a predictable part of their schedule, much like reading a book before bed.
• Review and Celebrate: Periodically look through the journal with your child. Point out examples where their strategies evolved or where their persistence paid off, celebrating the progress you see in their thinking.

By creating this habit, you are giving children a lifelong tool for self-reflection and resilience. You can find more ideas for kids' mental health activities on thatsokay.co.uk to complement their journaling journey.

8. The Brain Plasticity Game

The Brain Plasticity Game is an interactive activity designed to teach children about neuroplasticity, the brain's incredible ability to physically change and grow stronger with practice. This concept, popularised by neuroscientists and researchers like Carol Dweck, helps children understand that their brains are like muscles. Through hands-on experiments and engaging discussions, this activity makes complex brain science tangible and exciting, showing kids that effort literally builds a smarter brain. This is one of the most powerful growth mindset activities for kids as it provides a biological basis for their hard work.

Why It Works

Understanding the science behind how learning happens demystifies the process and empowers children. When kids realise their brains form new, stronger connections every time they tackle a challenge or practise a skill, they see mistakes not as failures but as crucial steps in building brainpower. This scientific grounding can be particularly motivating, helping children visualise their own growth and appreciate the physical results of their perseverance, which is vital for building resilience and positive mental health.

How to Implement It

• Use Simple Analogies: Explain that learning is like creating a path in a forest. The first time is difficult, but with each repetition, the path becomes clearer and easier to travel.
• Track Measurable Progress: Have children practise a new skill, like juggling or drawing with their non-dominant hand, for a few minutes each day. Chart their progress to give them visible proof of their brain's adaptation and growth.
• Watch and Discuss: Use educational videos to illustrate the concept. The short video below is a fantastic resource for explaining neuroplasticity in a child-friendly way.

By making brain science accessible, you provide children with a concrete reason to believe in the power of their own effort and embrace a growth mindset.

9. Goal-Setting and Tracking Challenges

Goal-Setting and Tracking Challenges are structured activities that teach children to set specific, achievable goals and monitor their own progress. This powerful practice shifts the focus from purely outcome-based achievements (like getting a perfect score) to process goals, such as the effort, strategies, and persistence required to get there. By concentrating on the journey, children learn that progress is a direct result of their deliberate actions, making this one of the most practical growth mindset activities for kids.

Why It Works

This activity demystifies achievement by breaking it down into manageable steps. When children see a direct link between their actions and their progress, they develop a sense of agency and control over their learning. This process builds self-efficacy and resilience, teaching them that setbacks are not failures but opportunities to adjust their strategy. It helps them understand that abilities are not fixed but are cultivated through consistent effort and smart planning over time.

How to Implement It

• Focus on Process Goals: Instead of "get 100% on the spelling test," a process goal would be "practise spelling for 15 minutes every day using flashcards." This makes the objective controllable.
• Create Visual Trackers: Use a chart, a jar with marbles, or a drawing of a path with milestones. Visual aids make progress tangible and keep children motivated to continue their efforts.
• Break It Down: Help children break a large goal (e.g., read a chapter book) into smaller, less intimidating steps (e.g., read five pages each night). To make goal-setting more effective, introducing children to SMART goal examples for personal growth can provide clear guidance.
• Review and Reflect: Regularly check in on the goals. Ask questions like, "What strategies worked well?" or "What could we try differently next time?" This encourages metacognition and strategic thinking.

10. Productive Struggle Scenarios

Productive Struggle Scenarios are carefully designed learning situations where children encounter problems that are just beyond their current abilities. The goal is to create a challenge that fosters persistence and problem-solving skills without leading to overwhelming frustration. This concept, championed by researchers like Carol Dweck, helps children build stamina and see that effortful thinking is a normal, valuable part of the learning process. It is one of the most powerful growth mindset activities for kids as it teaches them to navigate difficulty constructively.

Why It Works

By experiencing and overcoming manageable challenges, children learn that struggle is not a sign of failure but a stepping stone to mastery. This process directly counters the fixed mindset belief that you should be able to solve problems instantly if you are clever enough. Embracing productive struggle builds resilience and self-efficacy, showing children that they are capable of expanding their own abilities through focus and strategic thinking. Learning to manage these feelings is a key part of developing emotional wellbeing.

How to Implement It

• Set the Stage: Introduce a tricky maths problem or a multi-step science experiment by saying, "This is meant to be challenging, and it’s completely okay to struggle with it. That’s how our brains get stronger."
• Guide, Don't Give: Instead of providing the answer, ask guiding questions like, "What have you tried so far?" or "Is there another way you could approach this?"
• Celebrate the Process: Acknowledge their hard work during the task. Say things like, "I love how you’re staying so focused on this, even though it’s tough." This builds the resilience needed for future challenges. For more tips, you can learn how to build emotional resilience.

Creating a safe environment for productive struggle helps children develop the grit and perseverance essential for lifelong learning and robust mental health.

10-Activity Growth Mindset Comparison

Activity	🔄 Implementation Complexity	⚡ Resource Requirements	📊 Expected Outcomes	💡 Ideal Use Cases	⭐ Key Advantages
The Effort-Based Praise Game	Low — easy to adopt; needs consistency 🔄	Minimal — no materials ⚡	Greater intrinsic motivation; strategy focus 📊	Classrooms, home, sports practice 💡	Low-cost, directly targets mindset ⭐
Challenge-Based Learning Projects	High — requires planning and scaffolding 🔄	Moderate–High — materials, mentors, time ⚡	Deep skill growth; critical thinking; engagement 📊	Project weeks, clubs, competitions 💡	Real-world application; highly engaging ⭐
The Failure Museum Activity	Medium — needs facilitation and safe culture 🔄	Low–Moderate — display space, time ⚡	Normalises failure; increases risk-taking 📊	Culture-building lessons, assemblies, portfolios 💡	Memorable; reframes mistakes as learning ⭐
Brain-Building Challenge Cards	Low–Medium — design effort for quality cards 🔄	Low — cards/apps; easy to reproduce ⚡	Boosts engagement; cognitive practice; visible progress 📊	Centres, warm-ups, independent work 💡	Gamified, scalable, tracks growth ⭐
The "Yet" Practice	Very Low — one-word linguistic shift 🔄	None — no materials needed ⚡	Immediate perspective shift; small mindset nudges 📊	Any moment of frustration; whole-class reminders 💡	Instant, portable, evidence-backed ⭐
Strategy Swap Sessions	Medium — requires structure and facilitation 🔄	Low — time and recording tools ⚡	Improved metacognition; peer-transmitted strategies 📊	Workshops, maths/writing circles, debriefs 💡	Peer reinforcement; exposes multiple approaches ⭐
Growth Mindset Journaling	Low–Medium — routine and prompts required 🔄	Low — notebooks or digital tools ⚡	Increased reflection; documented progress over time 📊	Reflection periods, homework, goal reviews 💡	Tangible growth record; deepens metacognition ⭐
The Brain Plasticity Game	Medium — simplify science for age groups 🔄	Moderate — models, demos, prep time ⚡	Builds neuroscience understanding; motivates via evidence 📊	Science units, special lessons, assemblies 💡	Grounds mindset in science; highly memorable ⭐
Goal-Setting and Tracking Challenges	Medium — planning and monitoring needed 🔄	Low–Moderate — trackers, check-ins ⚡	Greater self-efficacy; visible incremental progress 📊	Long-term projects, athletics, reading campaigns 💡	Teaches planning and persistence; measurable goals ⭐
Productive Struggle Scenarios	High — careful calibration and skilled facilitation 🔄	Moderate — time for design and support ⚡	Builds resilience, deeper problem-solving skills 📊	Differentiated instruction, advanced tasks, PBL 💡	Promotes genuine growth through challenge ⭐

Cultivating Lifelong Resilience: Your Next Steps

The journey through these ten growth mindset activities for kids is more than just a series of exercises; it is a foundational step towards building a generation of resilient, adaptable, and confident individuals. From celebrating effort with the Praise Game to reframing challenges with the power of 'Yet', each activity serves as a practical tool for parents and educators. You are not just teaching children to try harder; you are fundamentally rewiring their approach to learning and life itself.

The core takeaway is that mindset is a muscle. Like any muscle, it requires consistent, intentional practice to grow stronger. These activities, whether it's creating a 'Failure Museum' or engaging in 'Strategy Swap Sessions', provide the necessary repetition in a fun and engaging way. They help normalise the idea that intelligence is not fixed and that every mistake is a valuable data point on the path to mastery.

Why This Matters Beyond the Classroom

Fostering a growth mindset is a critical component of promoting positive mental health from a young age. With rising concerns about the impact of social media and academic pressures, providing children with an internal framework for resilience is paramount. This isn't just about achieving better grades; it's about equipping them to navigate the inevitable setbacks of life with courage and optimism. The benefits extend far beyond the individual, as a proactive approach to youth mental wellbeing has a profound societal impact. Studies consistently show that poor mental health costs UK businesses billions each year in lost productivity, underscoring the economic and social imperative of early, supportive intervention.

Actionable Next Steps for Your Family

Integrating these concepts into your daily life is the key to making them stick. Here’s how you can continue the momentum:

• Make it a Habit: Choose one or two activities to focus on each week. Consistency is more effective than trying to do everything at once.
• Model the Mindset: Children learn by watching. Let them hear you talk about your own challenges, the strategies you’re trying, and how you're learning from your mistakes.
• Expand Your Toolkit: Explore resources like curated mental health books that open up family dialogues. Even items like mental health apparel can act as powerful, everyday conversation starters, helping to destigmatise the topic.
• Integrate Relaxation: Simple practices like mindful breathing, a walk in nature, or our free downloadable colouring sheets can be powerful complements to these activities, helping children manage frustration during a productive struggle.

While these tools are incredibly powerful, it is important to remember that they are part of a wider support system. I am not a mental health professional. If you have serious concerns about your child's mental health or wellbeing, please do not hesitate to seek professional advice from a GP or a qualified mental health practitioner. Your proactive care is the most important gift you can give. By embracing these growth mindset activities for kids, you are planting the seeds for a lifetime of learning, resilience, and emotional strength.

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Ready to deepen the conversation about emotional intelligence with your child? Explore the beautifully illustrated books and resources at Little Fish Books. Our collection is thoughtfully designed to help children understand complex feelings and develop the resilience they need to thrive. Discover your next favourite story at Little Fish Books.