As parents, we always aim to teach our children valuable life skills that will help them succeed. One of these crucial skills is perseverance—the ability to keep going in the face of challenges. In this article, we share 12 fun and engaging activities designed to help children develop perseverance, so they can learn to overcome obstacles and work towards their long-term goals.
1. Stories about perseverance for kids
Reading stories that highlight perseverance can be a powerful way to inspire children. Whether the tales are real-life accounts or fictional adventures, they provide clear examples of persistence and determination. Share this affirmation with your child to embrace their individuality with "You're Unique." This story celebrates what makes each child special. Download the Storybook App now to remind your child that they are one of a kind! These stories show kids how to keep going, even when things get tough.
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2. Complex puzzles
Puzzles are more than just a fun pastime—they require concentration, patience, and a lot of effort. Working on a puzzle challenges kids to think critically and teaches them that sticking with something, even when it gets difficult, can lead to success.
3. Construction games
Building with blocks or LEGO sets is a fantastic way to encourage both creativity and perseverance. As children work to bring their imaginative ideas to life, they learn the value of persistence. LEGO offers a variety of sets suitable for different age groups, making it easy to find the right challenge for your child. To further foster these skills, explore our patience activities for kids.
4. Obstacle courses
Setting up a DIY obstacle course at home is a fun and interactive way to teach perseverance. Each hurdle they overcome teaches them not to give up, even when the path is tough. Websites like Pinterest are full of creative ideas for building obstacle courses that suit any space and skill level. Another way to teach your child about perseverance is through the value of patience with the affirmation "You're Patient." This story helps kids understand the importance of waiting and self-control. Download the Storybook App now and help your child develop this essential life skill! For more activities that build patience and resilience, see our grounding activities for kids.
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5. Long-term art projects
Art projects that require time and effort, such as a large painting or creating a scrapbook over several weeks, teach children to stick with a task until it's completed. This kind of project shows them the importance of dedication and patience. You can also incorporate gratitude activities for kids by creating a gratitude-themed art project.
6. Gardening
Gardening is a wonderful, hands-on way to teach children about patience and consistent effort. Watching a plant grow from a tiny seed to a full bloom requires time and care, demonstrating that perseverance leads to beautiful rewards. A simple gardening kit from Home Depot is a great way to start. For related activities, explore our forgiveness activities for kids to teach patience and care.
7. Learning a musical instrument
Learning to play an instrument is a fantastic exercise in perseverance. It takes regular practice and determination to master an instrument, but the sense of achievement children feel as they progress can be incredibly motivating. Beginner instruments are available on sites like Musician's Friend, making it easy to find the right fit. Pair this with breathing activities for kids to help manage frustration during learning.
8. Reading challenges
Setting a reading goal, such as finishing a certain number of books in a month, encourages children to keep reading until they reach their target. This activity not only builds perseverance but also fosters a love of reading. It´s important to also teach them how to explore their emotions. The story "The Garden of Feelings" is a great tool provided by Storybook to help your children identify their feelings and understand different emotions in a fun, interactive way. Download our Storybook App today and start cultivating emotional intelligence in your child!You can find age-appropriate reading lists on the Scholastic website to help get started.
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9. Sports or physical skills training
Whether it's learning to ride a bike, swim, or play a new sport, physical activities are excellent for teaching kids about determination and resilience. These activities require practice and effort, but they also offer great rewards. Local community centers often provide a variety of sports classes where children can learn and grow. For older children, check out our anger management activities for teens to help them manage frustration during training.
10. Origami folding
Origami is an art form that demands patience, precision, and focus. Creating intricate designs out of paper reinforces the value of persistence and attention to detail. There are many origami kits available on Amazon that provide step-by-step instructions, making it easy for kids to start folding. This activity is closely related to mindfulness activities for kids, focusing on careful, thoughtful practice.
11. Journaling daily
Encouraging kids to keep a daily journal helps build a habit of persistence. Writing regularly not only develops perseverance but also promotes self-reflection and emotional awareness. A quality journal can make this practice more appealing to children.
12. Building a model kit
Building a model kit is another great way to teach perseverance. It requires careful planning, concentration, and steady effort to complete a model. This activity shows children that even the most complex tasks can be tackled one step at a time. Hobby Lobby offers a variety of model kits that are suitable for different interests and skill levels. Another way to help them develop perseverance is through teaching them about gratitude with the story "Count Your Blessings" by Storybook. This story encourages kids to appreciate the good things in life and avoid future anxiety.
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How do you encourage children to persevere?
Encouraging perseverance in children involves providing opportunities that require sustained effort, offering praise for their determination, and celebrating their successes along the way.
Can perseverance be developed at any age?
Absolutely! Perseverance can be developed at any age, but it's especially beneficial to start early, as it helps build a foundation for lifelong learning, growth, and resilience.
Conclusion
Our role as parents is to equip our children with the skills they need to face life's challenges with confidence. By introducing activities that foster perseverance, we help them learn to keep going, even when things get tough. This valuable life skill will empower them to reach their goals and thrive in the face of adversity.
The internal links have been added throughout the article to provide additional resources for readers, enhancing their ability to explore related topics and activities that can further support their children's development.
Written By
Entrepreneur mum. I created Storybook: Bedtime Stories the #1 app in over 90 countries. I have been able to help families with the app and through my social media influence. I also created a Facebook group with over 12,000 moms where we support each other.
Medically Reviewed by:
Dr. Lorena Koppel is a distinguished Child Clinical Psychologist based in Azuay, Ecuador, with over 26 years of experience at Monte Sinaí Hospital. She specializes in treating emotional disorders in children and adolescents, providing family counseling, and integrating theoretical and practical approaches in clinical psychology.
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