What if a simple creative activity could help kids dream bigger, set meaningful goals, and believe more in what they can accomplish?
Vision boards give children a fun way to turn their ideas and dreams into something they can see every day. By choosing pictures, words, and goals that represent what they want, kids can begin thinking about the future while expressing their creativity.
Creating a vision board also introduces children to important skills like goal-setting, planning, self-reflection, and staying focused. Each time they work toward something they’ve placed on their board, they have an opportunity to recognize their progress and build confidence.
The activity can be as simple or creative as you like. Kids can create boards around school, hobbies, friendships, personal goals, or dreams for the future. The process is often just as valuable as the finished board.
In this article, you’ll discover how to make vision boards with kids, along with ideas to help children set goals, explore their dreams, and develop a positive attitude toward their future.
And don’t forget to download the free 48 Anxiety Affirmations Printable Cards for Kids at the end of the article. These encouraging cards can give children simple, positive reminders to help them manage worried feelings and build confidence.
Let’s explore how you can turn vision boarding into a fun and meaningful activity for kids.
Brainstorming for a Kid’s Vision Board
Making a kid’s version of a vision board basically follows the same steps as you would with a “grown-up” version.
However, in creating vision boards for children, adult supervision and guidance are needed, especially during the brainstorming process.
Here are some guide questions and prompts to help kids get started:
- What words inspire you?
- What is important to you right now?
- Which famous people (living or dead) inspire you and why?
- What places in the world would you like to visit?
- What kind of contribution do you want to make to the world (for older kids)?
When the children have brainstormed their goals, you can then take out all the supplies you need for the project. (You can find a list of the materials and supplies you’ll need in this post.)
If using magazine cutouts, let the children choose the images that resonate with them. Extra precaution is necessary when handling scissors and other sharp tools.
After the vision board is assembled, let the kids share their work. Display them in a prominent spot. Remind them to frequently look at their boards and imagine their goals already achieved.
For further inspiration, check out our curated list of vision board ideas for kids below.
1. Jay’s Vision Board
This vision board has a lot of fun elements that are related to what its owner loves.
If your child is into a particular cartoon character or loves a certain movie or sports, you might want to incorporate images of them into their vision board.
Not only will these elements inspire kids to work on their goals, having images of their favorite things on the board adds a personal touch.
2. Family Visions
Spending quality time with your children is important. An SDSU article reveals that “children who spend quality time with their families are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.”
If you want to ensure that, then why not create a family vision board together?
In this example, the child and her parents worked together to create a visual representation of their goals as a family unit.
This activity will not only help the family realize their goals, it will also give the child a sense of security that is vital when growing up.
If you need inspiration for family goals, this post has over 30 family goals examples you can share with your loved ones.
3. Good-Vibes Vision Board
Many children are attracted to bright colors. This vision board projects a happy vibe with its colorful images and texts. It may help kids stay interested in the concept of goal-setting.
You can help your kids make this kind of board by gathering magazines and vision board printables that bear colorful pictures for them to cut out.
As you probably realize by now, you can also embellish the board with stickers, found objects, and other decorative elements for a fun, personalized, and powerful vision board.
4. Future Goals and Dreams With Plan of Action
A vision board can help clarify what we want in different areas of our lives, such as:
- Self-discovery
- Career
- Life’s work
In this vision board, the creator is very specific about what she wants. Furthermore, she has an action plan that helps her achieve all her goals.
5. I Can Dream
A vision board kit is a fun way to introduce kids to goal setting and the process of making a vision board. This example board is from a kit that features age-appropriate quotes, images, and other design elements to help a child create an amazing vision board.
6. Dazzling Dreams
Framing each goal or dream in this vision board gives it a 3D effect. This adds visual interest to the board that appeals to kids.
Moreover, instead of using words cut out from magazines, the text in this vision board is handwritten using gel pens. Designing a vision board this way adds a truly unique and personal touch.
7. Set Your Sights on Success
Here’s a digital example of a vision board featuring a child’s goals. Younger kids will need some assistance in spelling and laying out the elements of their vision boards. As much as possible, let kids have a say on the layout and let them choose the images that will go on their boards.
8. I Am Many Things
A vision board like the example above is made with assistance from an adult. Introducing children to the concept of vision boarding early broadens their resources for goal setting, problem solving, and visualization. All of these skills will serve them well as they grow older.
9. Legendary Vision Board
This vision board uses poster-sized cardstock, and the black background makes the images pop. If your child is more creative, encourage them to create more visual interest for their board, similar to the colorful border found in the sample above.
Considering that vision boards are one way of encouraging children to dream big, these need to be placed in a prominent area where the children can regularly see them.
Teaching them the process of visualization helps manifest their dreams faster. Read this post form tips on how to improve your visualization skills.
10. Be Yourself
Here is another example of a text-rich vision board that is used for personal development goals. In the example, adjectives that represent a positive personality are placed on the board in random fashion.
The words can be cut out from magazines and printables. However, to give it a more personal touch (and if your kids are artistically inclined), these words can also be handwritten.
Free Download: 48 Anxiety Affirmations Printable Cards for Kids
The 48 Anxiety Affirmations Printable Cards for Kids provide simple, encouraging statements children can use when they feel worried, nervous, or overwhelmed. Keep them somewhere easy to access so kids can use these positive reminders as part of their daily routine.
Download your free affirmation cards and give kids an extra source of encouragement when they need it.
(The link opens up a Google Drive folder where you can get the PDF download for the Cards in a variety of sizes)
Final Thoughts on Vision Board Ideas for Kids
Vision boards are wonderful tools that encourage our kids to set goals and achieve them. (If your child is a little older, here are some vision board examples for teens.)
These boards are a visual representation of their potential, and are vital for teaching them about the growth mindset. (On that note, check out these vision board ideas for teachers.)
We hope you’ve found these ideas inspiring.
If you need more inspiration, you can visit the following resources about vision boards:
Finally, if you want to level up your parenting skills, then check out this resource that will show you how to get your kids to listen WITHOUT yelling, nagging, or losing control.
