10 Self-Esteem Activities for Teens [From a Therapist]
Key takeaways:
Building self-esteem during adolescence is crucial for emotional well-being and confidence.
Engaging in activities like goal setting, volunteering, mindfulness, and self-reflection helps teens foster positive thinking and resilience.
Persistent low self-esteem can affect mental health and social interactions. If negative patterns persist, seeking professional help is essential to support emotional growth and well-being.
Adolescence can be a challenging time, filled with change, self-discovery, and often, self-doubt. From school pressures to social media comparisons and body image concerns, many teens struggle with cultivating healthy self-esteem and positive core beliefs. As you might suspect, fostering self-confidence and healthy self-esteem during these years is crucial for emotional well-being and growth.
As therapists who support children, young adults, teens, and their families, we've witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of intentional, thoughtful activities for teens on boosting self-esteem. Empowering teens with tools to recognize their strengths and embrace their uniqueness has the potential to create lasting, positive change, not just in how they view themselves, but in how they interact with the world around them.
In this article, we’ve put together 10 self-esteem activities for teens designed to help them boost their self-esteem in fun, engaging, and meaningful ways. These confidence-building activities encourage self-reflection, positive self-talk, creativity, positive self-image, and connection, and can be done alone or with others. They are simple, yet powerful ways for teens to develop a deeper sense of self-worth, no matter where they’re starting from.
In-the-moment self-worth activities
1. Mindfulness and Meditation: Finding Calm in the Chaos
This activity is perfect for your teenager if...
They feel overwhelmed or anxious
They need tools from positive psychology to manage stress or emotions
They are open to trying new ways to relax and focus
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10-20 minutes per session
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Teenager (solo)
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Comfortable space, meditation app or guided session
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Introduce your teenager to mindfulness and meditation techniques to help them manage stress and regulate their emotions. Guided sessions can teach them to focus on the present moment and improve their emotional awareness, offering a simple yet powerful tool to cope with negative feelings and everyday challenges like peer pressure.
2. Stories That Resonate: A Movie Night for Connection
This activity is perfect for your teenager if...
They feel isolated or misunderstood.
They enjoy movies that tell meaningful, personal stories.
They would benefit from seeing characters with similar challenges or experiences.
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2 hours (movie duration)
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Teenager and family
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A selection of movies or documentaries, projector/TV that may resonate with your teen
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Choose films or documentaries featuring characters or real people overcoming struggles like your teen faces. After watching, discuss the moments that resonated most with them. This fosters understanding, validates their experiences, and helps them feel less alone.
3. Negative Self-Talk Exercise: Reframe Your Mindset
This activity is perfect for your teenager if...
They struggle with low self-esteem or negative thinking
They are open to exploring their inner dialogue with a loved one
They want to develop a healthier mindset and greater emotional resilience
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30 minutes
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Teenager and a trusted friend or family member
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Paper, pens
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Encourage your teenager to explore their negative self-talk by first identifying any common patterns of self-criticism. Instead of reframing these thoughts alone, involve a trusted friend or family member in the process to promote shared understanding and support. Together, challenge and reframe those unhelpful thoughts into more balanced, compassionate affirmations. Teens will gain emotional resilience, self-esteem, and empathy as they see how others may be experiencing similar thoughts and feelings. By working collaboratively, they can support each other in cultivating a more positive and supportive inner dialogue.
4. Positive Goal Setting: Create Your Roadmap for Success
This activity is perfect for your teenager if...
They need guidance on how to set meaningful goals
They struggle with staying motivated or focused
They are looking to organize their goals and priorities for personal growth
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1 hour
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Teenager and parent
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Paper, pens
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In this activity, help your teenager set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-based) for personal growth. Together, brainstorm what they’d like to achieve, whether it's academic, personal, or extracurricular, and break it down into clear, actionable steps. Writing down their goals will boost confidence, provide clarity, and serve as a motivating reminder of their capabilities. This exercise will give them a healthy sense of direction and purpose as they work toward their objectives.
5. 'Open When...' Letters: Words of Encouragement for Every Milestone
This activity is perfect for your teenager if...
They enjoy reflecting on personal growth
They need positive affirmations to remind them of their resilience during challenging moments
They want to celebrate their successes in a meaningful way
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Ongoing (20-30 minutes to write each letter)
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Teenager
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Paper, pens, envelopes
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After setting goals, your teenager can write ‘Open When…’ letters to themselves, which they will open at specific moments. These letters are a creative and personal way to encourage them during tough times and congratulate them when they achieve their goals. Whether it’s for moments of doubt or celebrations of success, these letters act as reminders of their strength and perseverance. It’s a fun, heartfelt way to reflect on their journey and reaffirm their self-confidence.
6. Creative Writing or Journaling: Discover Your Inner World
This activity is perfect for your teenager if...
They enjoy writing or expressing themselves creatively
They need a safe space to explore their emotions
They are looking for ways to improve self-awareness and mindfulness
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30 minutes (daily or weekly)
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Teenager
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Notebook, pens
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Encourage your teenager to engage in creative writing or journaling as a form of self-reflection and emotional expression. Having a gratitude journal helps them explore their thoughts, feelings, and ideas, providing a healthy outlet for self-discovery. A gratitude journal also promotes mindfulness and can enhance their writing skills.
Longer-term self-esteem activities
7. Digital Detox: Disconnect to Reconnect
This activity is perfect for your teenager if...
They spend too much time on social media and struggle with self-acceptance
They need help finding creative or productive offline hobbies
They feel stressed or distracted by online content
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30 minutes (initial setup)
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Teenager and parent
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Phone, timer, or app to track screen time
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Set a daily limit for social media use with your teenager and encourage them to explore offline activities to cultivate positive self-esteem. Create a list of alternatives like reading, drawing, or playing a musical instrument to replace screen time. This activity helps reduce the overwhelming impact of social media while promoting healthier offline habits.
8. Volunteer Work or Acts of Kindness
This activity is perfect for your teenager if...
They want to feel connected to their community
They are looking for a way to feel valued by others
They enjoy helping and making a positive impact
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1-2 hours
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Teenager and family/friends
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Volunteer opportunities, contact details
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Volunteering or performing random acts of kindness boosts self-esteem building by helping others. Teens develop empathy, tune down negative thoughts, gain a sense of purpose, and feel appreciated when they contribute to their community. It's an empowering way to realize their own value, build a healthy self-image, and enhance their mental health while acting out on their personal values.
9. Team Sports or Group Activities: Strengthen Bonds and Build Skills
This activity is perfect for your teenager if...
They enjoy physical activities and teamwork
They want to expand their social circle or make new friends
They need an outlet for stress and energy
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Varies (1-2 hours per session)
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Teenager, friends, or sports team
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Sports equipment (e.g., basketball, soccer ball), access to a sports field or indoor space
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To help teenagers develop healthy self-esteem, invite your teenager to engage in team sports or group activities like soccer, basketball, or even a group hike. These group activities promote social interaction, teamwork, and skill-building. Physical activity significantly reduces negative core beliefs and self-talk (1) while promoting positive thinking. The release of dopamine in your teenager’s brain during exercise fosters a more positive outlook on their reality. This shift in mindset helps them focus on their strengths, elevating their self-esteem and encouraging healthier emotional patterns. Group sports and activities also provide a great opportunity for your teenager to expand their social circle and develop important life skills like communication and cooperation.
10. Achievement Board: Celebrate Every Victory
This activity is perfect for your teenager if...
They need a tangible reminder of their achievements
They struggle with self-doubt or low self-esteem issues
They love visual displays of success
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Ongoing (15 minutes to update the board)
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Teenager
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Bulletin board, paper, markers, pins, photos, certificates
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Set up an Achievement Board where your teenager can display their proud moments. Whether it’s an award, a certificate, or a symbolic item representing personal growth, this visual reminder will keep them motivated. The board serves as a constant source of positive reinforcement, helping them track their progress and build self-esteem.
EXTRA: Affirmation Jar
This activity is ideal for teenagers who:
Struggle to maintain positive thinking daily.
Enjoy creative and hands-on projects.
Need a quick, accessible way to boost their mood.
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20-30 minutes to set up; 1-2 minutes daily
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Teenager (solo or with family)
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Jar, slips of paper, colorful pens, and decorations (optional)
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Decorate a jar to make it personal. Then, write affirmations on slips of paper like, “I am strong,” or “I am loved.” Place them inside the jar. Each day, your teenager can pull out one affirmation, read it aloud, and reflect on its meaning. This simple habit helps build a positive mindset while adding a fun, creative touch.
When these self-esteem activities aren’t enough
Recognizing the Signs and Seeking Professional Help
While some degree of self-doubt is natural in adolescence, persistent low self-esteem can severely impact a teenager or young people's mental health and social life. Signs like extreme self-criticism, avoidance of social interactions, and a lack of confidence in their abilities could indicate deeper issues. If these behaviors persist, it may be time to seek professional help.
At Hold the Vision Therapy, we offer specialized support to help teens rebuild their self-worth. Contact us to learn more about how therapy can help your teenager regain confidence and resilience.
References
Kirkcaldy, B. D., Shephard, R. J., & Siefen, R. G. (2002). The relationship between physical activity and self-image and problem behaviour among adolescents. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 37, 544-550.