Setting goals is an important part of growing up. It helps children learn about planning and time management, and it can give them a sense of accomplishment when they reach their goals. But sometimes it can be hard to get kids interested in goal setting. Here are seven fun activities that will help your child set and achieve goals.

The value of goal setting for children

The things our kids learn while they are still young, often stick with them throughout their adult life and so helping them to create a habit of setting goals, both big and small will help them recognize and clarify what exactly they want to achieve and give them a target and some motivation to get that.

Setting goals is also a fun way to help them learn about planning and time management while giving them a sense of control of their lives.

It's important however when setting goals that they are not too difficult to attain because if so, it can actually be demotivating for your child or even yourself as you don't experience the progress you might want.

But if you set achievable yet still challenging goals, your kids will get a great sense of accomplishment when they reach them - and that in itself will be a badge of honour they can wear.

How to help your child set goals

Setting goals can be tricky, after all, what kind of goals should your child set, and how can you be sure they will find the activity helpful to reach it.

Here are a few tips on how you can help your child set goals:

1. Make it fun: As with anything else in life, if it's not fun, then kids probably won't want to do it. So make sure the activity is something they will enjoy.
2. Set a goal: If they decide on the goals they want to achieve themselves and they are achievable they are much more likely to be motivated to actually reach them
3. Have a positive reason: Having a reason for their goal can help kids understand why this goal is important
4. Break it down: Even if it's a short-term goal which is perfect for kids under 10, helping them break it down into mini steps will make their goal less intimidating.
5. Measure their progress: This could be in the form of a chart or graph that you update together as they reach certain milestones. Seeing their progress will help keep them motivated to achieve their goal.
6. Celebrate their successes: When they finally reach their goal, make sure to celebrate their success. This could be in the form of a special treat or activity that they get to enjoy.

There are no limits to what kind of goals your child can set. They can set academic goals, such as getting straight A's or reading a certain number of books. They can set personal goals, such as learning how to ride a bike or becoming more independent. The sky is the limit!

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Read a new book
2. Practice my signature
3. Do one act of kindness every day
4. Save up for a toy
5. Walk the dog for 20 minutes each day
6. Win the Spelling Bee competition in their grade
7. Earn a girl scout or boy scout badge
8. Learn an instrument
9. Ask at least one question to a teacher, every single day
10. Learn about a career path they’re interested in (astronaut, teacher, actor etc)
11. Learn a new magic trick from start to finish

and the endless list goes on, so here are some goal setting activities to make it fun and just right for your little one.

10 Goal Setting Activities For Kids

Make A Goal-Setting Jar

This is a great activity for kids of all ages and can be adapted to any goal. in this activity, you will need a jar and some slips of paper. Write down different goals on the slips of paper, fold them up, and put them in the jar. Every day, have your child pick out a goal from the jar and work on it for that day. This is a great way to help them focus on one goal at a time and not feel overwhelmed.

Create A Goal-Setting Tree

This is a fun activity that will help kids visualise their goals. For this activity, you will need some paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. First, have your child draw a tree on the paper. Then, help them cut out leaves from the paper . On each leaf, write down a different goal. Once all the goals are written down, have your child glue the leaves onto the tree. This is a great way to help them see their progress as they complete each goal.

Make a vision board

Great for visual learners: kids who learn best through images, pictures and colours

You have probably heard of a vision board before but in case you haven't this is where they can paste or draw pictures of things they want to achieve. The idea behind it is that if, when your child looks at the vision board, they feel the emotions or excitement of having achieved their goal, they will be more motivated towards experiencing those same emotions and feelings.

Therefore your kid needs to be specific about what they want, and use a visual reference that will give them that level of joy and excitement. As an example, if they want to learn to swim by the end of the year, they could:

• Draw a picture of themselves swimming in the pool
• Create a certificate for learning to swim and paste that
• Take a photo of their whole family cheering as they come out of a pool.

Making a vision board is a fun way for kids to get creative while also setting goals. Plus, it's a visual reminder of what they're working towards so they can refer back to again and again.

Top Tip

- Use pictures, words, visual aids, or even tactile aids that will evoke emotions when looking at it

- Be specific about the goal

- Place the vision board in a spot where they will see it often

- Allow them to add to the vision board as they go a long

4. Play 3 Stars and a Wish

The goal of the game is to help a child with his or her biggest wish, and it's an entertaining approach to get children thinking about their objectives.

Here's how it works:

1. 3 “Stars,” or things she already does well. This can be anything from running fast to solving math problems to comforting her friends when they’re feeling sad.
2. Talk to your child about HOW she became so good at these “Stars.” Did she have to practice? Did it take her time to learn? Or did she magically acquire these skills overnight?
3. Next, have your child come up with a “Wish.” The “Wish” is something that your child needs or wants to work on (a goal).
4. Ask your child WHAT she can do to help make her wish come true. Explain to her that this isn’t chance; it’s choice. She can choose to take steps that will lead to the fulfillment of her wish.

Reward Chart

Great for kinaesthetic learners: kids who learn best through touching and feeling

If your child is working towards a specific goal, such as potty training or behaving well in school, consider using a reward chart. Each time they accomplish their goal, they get a sticker or mark on the chart. When they reach a certain number of stickers, they earn a prize. This could be something small, like choosing what to have for dessert or picking a movie to watch. Reward charts are great motivators for kids because they can see their progress and they know there's a prize at the end.

Pick something that your child is really motivated by and make sure the reward is something they can realistically achieve. This will help them see that goal setting can be fun and rewarding.

Top Tips

- Make sure the reward is something your child wants and can realistically achieve

- Let them pick their own rewards

- Give positive reinforcement when they accomplish a goal

Bucket List

Great for reading/writing learners: kids who learn best through reading and writing

A bucket list is a great way for kids to set goals for themselves, building bonds and memories while also helping kids learn about goal setting.

. It's a list of things they want to do, see, or achieve in their lifetime. This could be anything from riding a bike to visiting another country. The key is to make sure the goals are realistic and attainable.

Help your child brainstorm a list of things they want to do then help them narrow it down to a few that are really important to them. Once they have their list, encourage them to start working towards those goals.

A bucket list is a fun way for kids to dream big and set goals for themselves. It's also a great way to teach them about planning and achieving their goals.

Top Tips

- Brainstorm a list of things they want to do

- Narrow it down to a few that are really important to them

- Encourage them to start working towards those goals and tick them off

Chore chart

A chore chart is a great way to teach kids about goal setting and responsibility. Help them make a list of chores they need to do each day or week.

Then, as they complete each task, they can check it off the list. This is a great way to help kids learn about time management and goal setting. Plus, it's a great way to get them involved in helping around the house.

Top Tips

- Give them a reward when they have been able to take initiative themselves or have been consistent with their chores

Make A Goal Map

Great for visual learners: kids who learn best through pictures, images and colours

A goal map is a great way for kids to visually see their progress as they work towards a goal. It's also a great way to teach them about planning and achieving their goals.

To make a goal map, start by helping your child choose a goal. Help them make a goal map by drawing a big map on a piece of paper. Then, break that goal down into smaller steps. Write each step on the map. As they accomplish each step, they can color in that part of the map.

This is a great activity for kids because it's visual and it helps them see their progress. It's also a great way to teach them about goal setting and planning.

Top Tips

- Make sure that they take the lead and you only guide them, this will help them learn how to break down a big goal into mini-goals.

Affirmations

Great for auditory learners: kids who learn best by remembering the way things sound

Not every child is a visual learner, some are auditory and some are reading/writing... As such, affirmations are a great goal-setting activity for kids who may not be visual learners.

An affirmation is a positive statement that you say to yourself to help you achieve your goals. It's a way of convincing yourself that you can do something. For example, an affirmation could be "I am strong" or "I am smart."

Affirmations can also be written whereby you read them back to yourself to convince yourself you can do something.

If your child is an auditory or reading/writing learner, have them write down their goals and affirm to themselves that they can achieve them regularly.

Top Tips

- Make the affirmations more fun by turning them into a song, poem, rap, or even add some dance moves.

Scrapbook

Great for kinaesthetic learners: kids who learn best through touching and feeling

A scrapbook is a great way for kids to document their journey as they work towards their goals. It's also a fun way for them to be creative and use their imagination.

To make a scrapbook, start by helping your child choose a goal. Then, help them gather pictures, quotes, and anything else that will help them remember their journey. As they accomplish each step, they can add it to the scrapbook.

This is a great activity for kids because it's fun and creative. It's also a great way for them to document their progress and see how far they've come.

Journaling

Great for reading/writing learners: kids who learn best through reading and writing

Journaling is a great way for kids to document their journey as they work towards their goals. It's also a great way for them to reflect on their progress and think about what they've learned.

To journal, start by helping your child choose a goal. Then, help them write down their thoughts and feelings as they work towards their goal. As they accomplish each step, they can add it to the journal.

This is a great activity for kids because it's a way for them to document their progress and reflect on their journey. It's also a great way for them to learn about themselves and their goals.

Summary

Goal setting is a great way for kids to learn about planning and time management. These 8 fun activities will help make goal setting more enjoyable for both you and your child. Try one or more of these activities the next time you sit down to set goals with your child.

If you start incorporating some of these activities into your child's life, they will be well on their way to becoming goal setters. And who knows, maybe you'll even learn a thing or two yourself!