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As a gifted teacher, I tried to find ways to inspire my kids to learn more about their giftedness and what makes them, well, them! So, check out the journal I created for gifted students so that they can learn more about themselves.
Exploring the Gifted Mind: A-Z Journal for Gifted Students
Discover your child's curiosity, creativity, and self-awareness with this engaging A-Z journaling companion to the book Growing Up Gifted by Jessica Zimmerman. Each letter guides students to explore a unique gifted trait-like Curiosity, Humor, Leadership, and Zealousness-through thoughtful, reflective, and playful prompts designed for deep thinking and self-expression.

Perfect for classrooms, homeschooling, or independent learning, this journal helps gifted students reflect on their strengths, dreams, and passions, while connecting their experiences to real-world growth. Encourage your students to think critically, explore their individuality, and celebrate what makes them extraordinary.
Highlights:

26 prompts covering A-Z gifted traits

DOK 4 reflective, creative, and thought-provoking questions

Aligned with Growing Up Gifted for deeper engagement

Supports self-awareness, goal-setting, and creativity

Each prompt aligns to the Depth and Complexity icons!

Inspire gifted learners to explore their minds, express their uniqueness, and grow into the thinkers, leaders, and creators they were meant to be!

As a gifted teacher, I tried to find ways to inspire my kids to learn more about their giftedness and what makes them, well, them! So, check out the journal I created for gifted students so that they can learn more about themselves.
Exploring the Gifted Mind: A-Z Journal for Gifted Students
Discover your child's curiosity, creativity, and self-awareness with this engaging A-Z journaling companion to the book Growing Up Gifted by Jessica Zimmerman. Each letter guides students to explore a unique gifted trait-like Curiosity, Humor, Leadership, and Zealousness-through thoughtful, reflective, and playful prompts designed for deep thinking and self-expression.

Perfect for classrooms, homeschooling, or independent learning, this journal helps gifted students reflect on their strengths, dreams, and passions, while connecting their experiences to real-world growth. Encourage your students to think critically, explore their individuality, and celebrate what makes them extraordinary.
Highlights:

26 prompts covering A-Z gifted traits

DOK 4 reflective, creative, and thought-provoking questions

Aligned with Growing Up Gifted for deeper engagement

Supports self-awareness, goal-setting, and creativity

Each prompt aligns to the Depth and Complexity icons!

Inspire gifted learners to explore their minds, express their uniqueness, and grow into the thinkers, leaders, and creators they were meant to be!

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Primary Gifted and Talented Student Reflective Journal

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As a gifted teacher, I tried to find ways to inspire my kids to learn more about their giftedness and what makes them, well, them! So, check out the journal I created for gifted students so that they can learn more about themselves.Exploring the Gifted Mind: A-Z Journal for Gifted StudentsDiscover y...

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Students take a brief survey on iPads to assess their current mindset. After completing the survey, discuss the results as a class and introduce the concept of growth vs. fixed mindset.

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Use a pipe cleaner to represent neurons in the brain. Show how learning creates new connections by twisting and bending the pipe cleaner. Have students create their own brain models using pipe cleaners.

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Write various scenarios on sticky notes (e.g., 'struggling with math homework', 'learning to ride a bike'). Students act out the scenario and how they would approach it with a growth mindset.

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Older students create a 'failure résumé' on their iPads using Keynote, highlighting challenges they've faced and what they learned from each experience.

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Students design and draw their own 'Growth Mindset Superhero' using art supplies. The superhero should have powers that represent growth mindset qualities (e.g., 'Persistence Power', 'Mistake Eraser').

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Create a two-part collage showing 'before' (when they couldn't do something) and 'after' (when they learned to do it) using magazines and art supplies.

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Decorate a jar and fill it with popsicle sticks. On each stick, write a growth mindset phrase or affirmation. Students can pull a stick when they need motivation.

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Students write a letter to their future selves about a skill they want to improve or a goal they want to achieve. Include steps they'll take and how they'll overcome challenges.

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Start a daily or weekly journal where students reflect on their learning experiences, challenges faced, and strategies used to overcome them.

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Provide a list of fixed mindset statements. Students rewrite each statement to reflect a growth mindset perspective in their notebooks.

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Curate a collection of short videos showcasing examples of growth mindset in action. After watching, students discuss the videos in small groups and share their insights.

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Growth Mindset For Kids - 3 Steps To Help Kids With Mindset | Choices &  Self-Awareness For Kids

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Using Keynote on iPads, students create digital vision boards representing their goals and the growth mindset strategies they'll use to achieve them.

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Students pair up and conduct mock podcast interviews using iPads. One student is the 'expert' on growth mindset, while the other asks questions about overcoming challenges and developing resilience.

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Elementary or Junior High Students Could Complete This

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This is a collection of STEM activities to build a growth mindset. It might be tricky at first, but each activity really shows them the power of "yet" and gives them a chance to really problem solve.

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Growth Mindset Activities for Kids — Carly and Adam

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In today’s rapidly changing world, fostering a growth mindset in children is more essential than ever. A growth mindset—the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work—equips kids with the resilience and adaptability they need to thrive in various aspects

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"A success iceberg is a picture of how people usually see success. People mainly see the iceberg's tip, which is the outcome of their efforts and hard work, but they seldom ever notice the failures, setbacks, disappointments, and attitudes that lie beneath it. Kids and teenagers can benefit from using this downloadable Success Iceberg Poster as a motivating tool and reminder. It shows some of the fundamental traits and practices of successful people who have a growth mindset."

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A growth mindset allows us to see our intelligence, skills, and talents as attributes that can improve over time.

Activities can help kids learn how to adopt a growth mindset.

The growth mindset is probably something you've heard a lot about by this point. We know why is it so crucial, especially for our children. But how do you help them develop it further?

With the right tools, anything is possible. These growth mindset activities for kids are a great place to start. They offer engaging and intriguing ways to teach children the growth mindset, whether you're practicing them at home or in a classroom.

What is a Growth Mindset?

A growth mindset is a belief that one may develop skills through deliberate efforts and tangible actions. This mindset sees intelligence and talent as qualities that may be improved over time.

Kids who have a growth mindset understand that obstacles are vital in the learning process. In fact, these failures provide an opportunity to work harder, helping kids to stay motivated and try again.

A growth mindset pushes children to overcome negativity and limitations. It promotes persistence in the face of setbacks, tenacity in the face of adversity, and an emphasis on what is within our reach. The growth mindset is one of the most beneficial attitudes we can instill in our children for these reasons.

Best Growth Mindset Activities for Kids

Here are some of the best activities for kids to learn a growth mindset. Some are suitable for younger kids while others are growth mindset activities for middle school. But many of these are great for all ages!

1. Negative to Positive

This is a great exercise that helps introduce young children to the language used when adopting a growth mindset. Make a note of all the negative or restrictive things that kids often say about themselves. Reframe these statements to be more positive by simply changing the wording used. To make it easier and more fun for your kids, you can use something like a worksheet on changing negative thoughts to positive thoughts. By going through this activity, your kids will begin to realize how changing their words can enhance their self-esteem.

2. Success Iceberg

A success iceberg is a picture of how people usually see success. People mainly see the iceberg's tip, which is the outcome of their efforts and hard work, but they seldom ever notice the failures, setbacks, disappointments, and attitudes that lie beneath it. Kids and teenagers can benefit from using this downloadable Success Iceberg Poster as a motivating tool and reminder. It shows some of the fundamental traits and practices of successful people who have a growth mindset.

3. Fixed Vs. Growth Mindset Anchor Chart

It's best to start teaching kids the terms that will allow them to distinguish between having a fixed mindset and having a growth mindset. An anchor chart includes samples of both types of words and phrases so that children may clearly understand the difference between the two types of mindsets. Read each statement out loud and ask your child or student to identify which side it belongs to (growth or fixed) to make it a fun activity.

4. Famous Fails

Many of our greatest successes were preceded by important setbacks. For kids, learning about these heroes who have also had challenges may find the strength and motivation to overcome their struggles and flourish.

Search for some of history's most well-known failures with your students. Better yet, let them conduct their own research. How did these well known historical figures fail and then bounce back even more determined to realize their ambitions?

5. Yet Crown

Making a "yet crown" can help children remember that just because they aren't there yet, doesn't mean they won't get there. Print a few statements about goals your kids have yet to achieve and put them around the crown.

6. Kindness Challenge

A tiny act of kindness can go a long way, but how far can one week of kindness go? Here is an excellent way for you and your children to learn more about developing a growth mindset. Plan a week where kids will work in pairs or groups to carry out one act of kindness each day. Get your kids to create a journal detailing the deeds of kindness they perform each day, their motivations, the outcomes, and what they took away from the experiences.

7. Escape Room Activity

Every escape room exercise can inspire students to explore new concepts and collaborate to find solutions. There are even some escape room activities that are specifically designed to develop and improve one's growth mindset.

8. Goal Setting Journaling or Crafts

Setting goals is a fantastic growth mindset exercise. It makes challenges seem more predictable and gives kids a sense of control over their education. This activity works well because it serves as a reminder to your kids that not all goals are simple to achieve. It's okay to set goals and objectives that will require more time and effort. Have your kids journal or use arts and crafts to outline their goals.

9. What I Like About Myself

A high self-esteem contributes to your kids' ability to adopt a growth mindset. Ask your kids to write or sketch self-affirming statements in their notebooks or on a piece of paper. They can put these statements somewhere they will notice first thing in the morning as a reminder of the qualities they like about themselves.

10. Contribution Brainstorming

Contributing something of value to our community allows us to thrive. It is possible to accomplish amazing things when giving back to people who matter to us, regardless of whether we offer an idea, service, or talent. This is especially important for kids as it teaches them how to think beyond themselves and develop their talents and skills with new endeavors.

Have your kids pair up or gather in groups. Working together, they can come up with as many suggestions as they can for ways to benefit their neighborhood.

11. Quote Inspiration

Growth mindset quotes can go a long way in inspiring or motivating someone. Read and discuss a few quotes with your kids to deepen their understanding of a growth mindset.

12. The Crumple Activity

Ask your students to write down a mistake they made earlier on in the day or week. After that, instruct them to crumple up the paper and throw it against a wall while trying to copy the feeling of making a mistake. After some time, ask them to pick up the paper, read it, and review their mistake once more.

Tell your kids that mistakes happen to everyone, regardless of who they are. You can ask them to brainstorm aloud how they could improve the next time. After this, ask your kids to crumple the paper once more before throwing it away permanently as a sign that the mistake has been made and belongs to the past. To make things more exciting, ask them to yell "Done!" or "Next!" or "Goodbye!" as they throw the paper away.

13. Fortune Teller

Creating a little paper fortune teller is a fun way to guess between growth and fixed mindsets. Have your kids write different statements down in the fortune teller before they fold it up and use it to remind themselves of more helpful growth mindset statements.

14. Growth Mindset Dice

This is a great way to stimulate discussion and thought on growth mindset in your kids. Conversation-starting questions and statements on growth mindset are printed on the dice. Place students in pairs or groups, have them throw the dice, and allow them to discuss the concepts that face up.

15. Grow-ga

Yoga and encouraging affirmations are combined in a physical exercise known as Grow-ga, or Growth Mindset Yoga. It's an engaging physical activity, a great attention exercise, and a fun method to educate kids on how to make positive comments about themselves.

Choose a few reasonably simple yoga positions that you are confident beginners could perform but would still find somewhat challenging. Attaching growth mindset statements to each movement completes the exercise.

16. Error Analysis

Making mistakes is acceptable as long as we can learn from them. Encourage your kids to review their mistakes when they get the answer wrong or can't complete a task. Tell them to consider what went wrong, then try again with a different approach.

17. Easy or Hard Craft

The growth mindset technique teaches us to look forward to things that feel difficult now and to look back on things that are now easy. With effort and practice, those challenging tasks will eventually become simple. Have your kids identify various difficult tasks and write down how they look forward to making them easier in the future.

18. Action Plan

Kids will eventually want to know more about planning in the face of failure as they learn more about the growth mindset. In this action plan exercise, they can develop their own solutions for challenges. You can present the action plan as a worksheet, chart, or table. Make sure your kids have plenty of space to write their responses.

19. Self-Awareness Checklist

A growth mentality entails having a solid idea of who we are. It entails being aware of our advantages and disadvantages, our areas for growth, what motivates us, and what stresses us out. Kids will discover through this activity how self-awareness may lead to several areas of personal growth.

This can be achieved by asking the questions either verbally or in writing. Encourage students to reflect on the question as you ask it and to give the most truthful responses they can.

20. List Ways to Achieve Success

For a growth mindset to develop, it is important to look forward to possible future successes. Using a tool like a worksheet on ways to achieve success can teach kids ways to develop into better people, take care of their health, and strengthen their interpersonal bonds. This can empower children to approach challenges and difficulties with more strength and motivation in the quest for success.

The Bottom Line

Developing a growth mindset can sometimes seem like a daunting thing to learn. But by using fun activities such as the ones listed above, it can be easy for kids to apply in their own learning experiences. Having growth mindset posters around the house or in the classroom can encourage more flexible and positive ways of thinking that can lead kids (and even adults!) to success and fulfillment.

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Having a growth mindset is something that you learn. Read on to know more about how these different activities can encourage a growth mindset.

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Recognizing and Overcoming False Growth Mindset

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Examples of a false growth mindset include praising effort over progress, affirming students’ potential without enabling them, and blaming their mindset instead of refocusing it.

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Art Challenge #13: Growth Mindset Contest

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Art Challenge #13: Growth Mindset Contest

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There are videos and lessons on Class Dojo that teach Growth Mindset, and the students really enjoy them.

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Growth Mindset (1 of 5) | Social Emotional Learning for kids

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One that stuck out to me on here was the "rewrite your own story". Students write a real experience that did not end like they wanted. They then rewrite it adding "if only I had" where they show what they could have done and the new end result. This shows kids they may have not accomplished what they wanted-but they can always try again-reflecting on what changes they can make to reach their goal!

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Looking for ways to help kids embrace their mistakes and keep working toward success? Growth mindset activities could be the answer. This concept may not be a miracle cure for all students. But many educators find it helpful in reminding kids that even though they're struggling to do something now, it doesn't mean that will always be the case. Here are some ways to open their minds to the idea that they really can learn new things, and that the effort is just as important as the achievement.

What is a growth mindset?

( Want a free copy of this poster? Click here!)

Psychologist Carol Dweck made the idea of fixed vs. growth mindsets famous with her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Through extensive research, she found that there are two common mindsets, or ways of thinking:

Fixed mindset: People with a fixed mindset feel that their abilities are what they are and cannot be changed. For instance, a person may believe that they're bad at math, so they don't bother to try. Conversely, a person may feel that because they're smart, they don't need to work very hard. In either case, when a person fails at something, they simply give up.

Growth mindset: Those with this mindset believe that they can always learn new things if they make enough effort. They embrace their mistakes, learning from them and trying new ideas instead.

Dweck found that successful people are those who embrace a growth mindset. Though we all alternate between the two at times, focusing on a growth-oriented way of thought and behavior helps people adapt and change when needed. Instead of thinking "I can't do this," these people say, "I can't do this YET."

Growth mindset is key for learners. They must be open to new ideas and processes and believe they can learn anything with enough effort. Teach kids to make this mindset their default with classroom growth mindset activities like these.

Our Favorite Growth Mindset Activities

1. Read a growth mindset book

These read-alouds are perfect for story time, but don't be afraid to try them with older students too. In fact, picture books can spark all sorts of interesting conversations among high schoolers!

Learn more: 18 Perfect Read-Alouds for Teaching Growth Mindset

2. Fold an origami penguin

This is such a cool way to introduce the idea of a growth mindset. Start by asking kids to fold an origami penguin, with no instructions at all. Talk about their frustrations, then give them the chance to follow instructions and ask for help. Kids will realize that learning to do something is a process, and you have to be open to trying.

Source: Little Yellow Star

3. Learn growth mindset words

Introduce important growth mindset concepts like creativity, mistakes, risks, persistence, and more. Ask students to share what they already know about these terms by writing thoughts on a poster. Hang these in your classroom as a reminder throughout the year.

Learn more: Create Dream Explore

4. Compare fixed and growth mindsets

Show students examples of fixed mindset statements, and compare them with more growth-oriented examples. When students use a fixed mindset phrase, ask them to restate it from a growth standpoint instead.

Learn more: Rainbow Sky Creations

5. Change your words, change your mindset

The things we say to ourselves are just as important as the efforts we make. Give kids sticky notes and have them brainstorm growth mindset alternatives to fixed mindset phrases.

Learn more: Making Learning Super

6. Make a cootie catcher

Kids always love these little foldable doodads. Grab two free printables at the link, and as kids fold, talk about what it means to have a growth mindset.

Learn more: Rock Your Homeschool

7. Discover neuroplasticity

That very big word simply means that our brains continue to grow and change throughout our whole lives. In fact, they get stronger the more we use them! This is the science behind the growth mindset, explaining why it really does work.

Learn more: Big Life Journal

8. Embrace the power of "yet"

When you add "yet" to a fixed mindset statement, it can really change the game! Ask students to list some things they can't do yet, and revisit the list from time to time to see what they've accomplished.

Learn more: Brown Bag Teacher

9. Work together in an escape room

Any escape room activity can encourage students to try new ideas and work together to figure out the answers. If you'd like one specifically geared toward growth mindset, visit the link for a ready-to-go option.

Learn more: Teach Create Motivate

10. Flip that flop!

Learning that it's OK to make mistakes is a huge part of growth-oriented thinking. Help kids recognize that and learn how to flip their flops with this fun, free printable activity.

Learn more: Keep 'Em Thinking

11. Lift a growth mindset barbell

This cute craft encourages kids to think of things they can already do and things they can't do yet. It makes a connection between working out to strengthen your body and thinking to strengthen your brain.

Learn more: Smitten With First

12. Sing "Everyone Makes Mistakes"

This Sesame Street ditty became an instant classic for a reason. Big Bird's sweet tune reminds us that everyone makes mistakes, and the important part is to just keep trying.

13. Seek out famous failures

So many famous people only accomplished their dreams after many years of trying. Share some famous failures with your students (see more at the link), then have them round up more famous failure stories on their own.

Learn more: Laura Randazzo

14. Analyze your errors

Mistakes are OK, but only because we can learn from them. When students get the answer wrong or aren't able to do something they want or need to do, encourage them to look back at their errors. Reflect on what went wrong, and use that knowledge to try again.

Learn more: Ashleigh's Education Journey

15. Use growth mindset exit tickets

At the end of a lesson or day, have students complete these exit tickets. They'll reflect on what inspired them, what challenged them, and when perseverance paid off.

Learn more: Tales From a Very Busy Teacher

16. Craft a class slogan

Put students into small groups to come up with a potential growth mindset slogan for the class. Bring everyone back together to look over the options, and work to combine them into one slogan that inspires everyone.

Learn more: Teaching With Simplicity

17. Glow and grow

Celebrating the efforts that lead to accomplishments is a key part of a growth mindset. Use this chart to encourage kids to recognize their "glowing" moments and set goals for "growing" moments.

Source: 3rd Grade Thoughts

18. Color some inspirational quotes

Coloring is a calming, reflective activity for many people. Give kids some of these pages to decorate, or encourage them to illustrate inspirational quotes in any way they like.

Learn more: A Grace-Filled Classroom

19. Experiment with coding and robotics

When students learn to code, "What if we try this?" becomes their go-to phrase. As you give your students the time they need to discover what works, the reward is in the process. Student coders become master revisionists, which allows them to deepen creativity to find success.

Learn more: 5 Ways Coding and Robotics Build a Growth Mindset in Your Students

20. Let families inspire their kids

This is such a cool idea for open house or even parent-teacher conferences. Share these free handouts with families, and encourage them to write about the times in their own lives when a growth mindset made a real difference.

Learn more: Brain Waves Instruction

What are your favorite growth mindset activities? Come share your ideas and ask for advice in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

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20 Growth Mindset Activities To Inspire Confidence in Kids

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These growth mindset activities for kids help foster confidence and positive thinking. Encourage them to try and fail, then try again!

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After watching this video give students examples of things kids say and have them decide if they reflect a growth or fixed mindset.

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Growth Mindset (1 of 5) | Social Emotional Learning for kids

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Browse growth mindset game resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, a marketplace trusted by millions of teachers for original educational resources.