Inspirational Quotes for Kids

I never would have predicted the level of deep discussion that our dinnertime inspiring quotes for kids have prompted. I’ve been itching to tell you about it since we begin.

We’re talking about these inspirational quotes at the dinner table every night. Each of us has our own quote book where we write down the quote and its meaning.

Can I just tell you how wonderful this is?

Not only are these quotes becoming touchstones for our daily lives, but it’s also a great way for Jeff and me to share gems of parenting wisdom. Which we might get from time to time…:)

Inspiring Quotes for Kids Family Activity

Our quote books developed from an activity a teacher friend told me about. We adopted it for a family time activity. Many people have table talk conversation starters. Our quote books have become our table talk because they prompt so much discussion.

Each person takes a week to be the quote picker. That person shares the quote with the family and we all write it down in our books.

Next, we discuss the quote. This is such an important thing to do. It allows the quote to be “unpacked” — for the kids and us to find meaning and the practical life application of the quote. Sometimes we give examples or ask questions. It’s a good time to practice conversation skills such as listening and paraphrasing.

When we finish talking about the quote’s meaning, we write down what it means in our own words in our quote journals.

Also, we draw a picture to illustrate the meaning of the quote in our own lives.

Of course, I like to share so I can see what everyone’s thinking. My kids don’t always want to share what they wrote or drew but that’s okay.

Both writing about the quote in our own words and drawing the quote make the meaning so much more clear to all of us. It takes the inspiring quote that sounds lovely but can be confusing and translates it to real-life, translates it into our lives.

Quote Gifts for Kids

Recently my daughter turned 13. It’s an in-between age of not quite being a teenager and not quite being a kid. I was struggling to know what to give her for a gift. Then I remembered how much she loves quotes. I’m talking LOVES. Like 600 quote pins on her Pinterest board!

So, I picked beautiful quotes, printed them out as pictures, and put them in a frame. She LOVED loved loved it — said it was her favorite gift, that I really understood and knew what she liked.

Here it is — with the addition of her favorite erasers. 🙂

The cool thing about this gift is that she can always change out the quotes as she finds new favorites!

I found the frame on Amazon here.

You can buy quote printables on Etsy like this gift I made her:

20 Inspirational Quotes for Kids

Call these motivational or inspirational, these quotes are some of our favorites:

Every object, every being, is a jar of delight. Be a connoisseur. – Rumi

Bloom where you are planted.

I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. – Thomas Alva Edison

Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud. – Maya Angelou

I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a products of my decisions. – Stephen Covey

Wonder is the beginning of wisdom. – Socrates

You are not meant for crawling. You have wings. Learn to use them. – Rumi

Not all who wander are lost. – Gandolf

It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities. – Albus Dumbledore

We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy. –  Albus Dumbledore

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. – Robert Frost.

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou

Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself. – Coco Chanel

Being different isn’t a bad thing. It means you’re brave enough to be yourself. – Luna Lovegood

Don’t doubt your value. Don’t run from who you are. – Aslan

Those who have a strong sense of love and belonging have the courage to be imperfect. – Brené Brown

We are what we repeatedly do. – Aristotle

If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one. – Mother Teresa

Sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think. -Rumi

If you’re a faith-based family, include those sacred verses in your quote book as well.

You might like these beautiful, printable quotes for positive thinking and back to school here.

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