Inspirational Quotes For Kids To Support Their Mental Health

Words can be a powerful tool, so much so that they can completely change someone's mood or perspective. As Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Believe you can and you're halfway there." This is often even more true when it comes to children, as they can be deeply impacted by inspiring words. They're in a period of intensive learning about themselves, others, and the world around them, which may make them more likely to internalize what they see and hear, potentially helping them gain self-confidence and overcome self-doubt.

If you're looking to give some supportive words to inspire children or young adults, the positive quotes for kids compiled by BetterHelp below may be useful. Before highlighting popular inspiring quotes organized by theme, this article offers a brief look into why having relationships with supportive adults can be important and impactful for children's long-term success and well-being.

Why encouraging words may matter for kids' well-being

One of the simplest yet most impactful things a trusted adult can do is encourage children through words. The presence of supportive adults may have a positive effect on a child's development and on their future.

For example, one 2021 study looked at adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the factors that may make children more resilient in the face of such experiences.

The findings suggest that having a connection to an always-available trusted adult for immediate help correlates with a lower chance of experiencing ACEs as well as resilience after experiencing one.

While you, as a trusted adult, can't necessarily protect the child in your life from every negative experience, offering a supportive environment, listening to them, helping them cope with negative thoughts, and encouraging them could make all the difference in how they handle ACEs and other challenges in life. There can be many ways to be an always-available trusted presence in a child's life; sharing encouraging words can be one way to offer encouragement and support. The quotes that follow are organized by theme to help you find the right words for different moments.

Motivational quotes for kids about courage and dreams

Encouraging young people to dream big and pursue those dreams with courage is a powerful gift. Working toward meaningful goals with a positive attitude is one way to build a satisfying, fulfilling life. Doing so can give an individual a sense of purpose and direction and help them embrace challenges. Teens may need a reminder they are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and more capable than they realize. If you're looking to encourage a young person in your life to start moving forward from their comfort zone, even if they feel afraid, some of these quotes might help:

• "All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." –Walt Disney
• "Dare to dream; then, decide to do." –Annette White
• "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach the stars to change the world." –Harriet Tubman
• "The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams." –Oprah Winfrey
• "Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." –Earl Nightingale
• "Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless." –Jamie Paolinetti
• "Believe you can and you're halfway there." –Theodore Roosevelt
• "Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning." –Gloria Steinem

Short inspirational quotes for kids

Sometimes the most memorable quotes are the briefest ones. Younger children especially may benefit from short, easy-to-remember phrases they can carry with them throughout the day. Here are some brief quotes that pack a meaningful message into just a few words:

• "Whatever you are, be a good one." –Abraham Lincoln
• "Be silly, be honest, be kind." –Ralph Waldo Emerson
• "Fall seven times, stand up eight." –Japanese proverb
• "Each day provides its own gifts." –Marcus Aurelius
• "No pressure, no diamonds." –Thomas Carlyle
• "Boldness be my friend." –William Shakespeare

Growth mindset quotes to inspire young minds

Most young people have limited experience with significant failures, setbacks, and obstacles, so encountering them on the road to achieving their goals can feel especially disheartening. A growth mindset refers to the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. Cultivating a positive mindset early may make a meaningful difference in how young people handle setbacks. Quotes that can be helpful in these situations might emphasize that even small efforts can contribute to continual growth, and may remind them that every experience can be an opportunity for personal growth or tap into hidden potential. The following quotes might give them a motivational boost to keep going:

• "Challenges are what make life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." –Joshua J. Marine
• "Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible.'" –Audrey Hepburn
• "The future rewards those who press on." –Barack Obama
• "There should be no boundaries to human endeavor. We are all different. However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. While there's life, there is hope." –Stephen Hawking
• "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do." –Eleanor Roosevelt
• "Winning doesn't always mean being first. Winning means you're doing better than you've ever done before." –Bonnie Blair
• "It always seems impossible until it's done." –Nelson Mandela
• "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." –Robert Collier
• "Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." –John F Kennedy

Quotes about learning from mistakes

One of the most valuable lessons children can learn is that mistakes are not failures but opportunities for discovery. When young people understand that errors are a natural part of learning, they may be more willing to take risks and try new things. These quotes can help reinforce that message:

• "Mistakes are the portals of discovery." –James Joyce
• "I can accept failure; everyone fails at something. But I cannot accept not trying." –Michael Jordan
• "If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything." –John Wooden
• "The expert in anything was once a beginner." –Helen Hayes
• "Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement." –Matt Biondi

Positive quotes for kids about self-belief and confidence

It can be difficult for some kids to fit in, and they may need reassurance from peers because they want to be accepted. Sometimes, though, whether due to their own limited imagination or others' limited imagination, kids and teens may lack the self-belief to build confidence in what makes them unique. The goal may be to nurture a humble but reasonable confidence, a belief in one's own value and capabilities.

A healthy sense of self-acceptance may result in greater overall well-being, along with self love. In a world that's often unwelcoming to those who are different from what's considered to be "the norm," learning to find and project self-acceptance can truly be a superpower, and recognizing their own powers is often the first step. Here are some quotes that could support the child in your life in cultivating this sense:

• "I don't know a perfect person. I only know flawed people who are still worth loving." –John Green
• "Life will never be the same because there has never been anyone like you…ever in the world." –Nancy Tillman
• "If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete." –Buddha
• "You are enough just as you are." –Meghan Markle
• "Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world." –Lucille Ball
• "It doesn't matter if thousands of people believe in you, unless you believe in you." –Maddy Malhotra
• "You're always with yourself, so you might as well enjoy the company." –Diane Von Furstenberg
• "Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." –Marilyn Monroe

Kindness and friendship quotes for children

Learning how to stay positive and interact peacefully with peers, family members, and others is often a key part of growing up. Though it can be difficult when another person doesn't show kindness back, acting from a place of compassion and warmth may still be beneficial. The following quotes can help inspire kids to treat others well and value their relationships:

• "Be silly, be honest, be kind." –Ralph Waldo Emerson
• "Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud." –Maya Angelou
• "No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted." –Aesop
• "Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." –Desmond Tutu
• "Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear, and the blind can see." –Mark Twain
• "Wherever there is a human being, there is the opportunity for a kindness."–Lucius Annaeus Seneca
• "How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time." –Morgan Freeman
• "A warm smile is the universal language of kindness." –William Arthur Ward
• "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." –Mother Teresa
• "A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you." –Elbert Hubbard
• "The only way to have a friend is to be one." –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Quotes about teamwork and helping others

Children benefit from learning early that working together often leads to better outcomes than working alone. Whether in the classroom, on a sports team, or at home, collaboration can teach valuable lessons about communication, compromise, and shared success. These quotes may help reinforce the value of teamwork:

• "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." –Helen Keller
• "Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened." –Buddha
• "Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." –Scott Adams
• "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." –William James
• "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." –African proverb

Famous inspirational quotes kids love

Kids often look up to famous figures because they may see them as proof that hard work, dedication, and big dreams can pay off. Whether from athletes, leaders, or creative thinkers, these quotes from well-known figures can resonate with young people who admire their achievements.

Quotes from athletes and sports figures

Athletes often speak about perseverance, practice, and pushing through challenges, which are messages that can translate well beyond sports:

• "I don't focus on what I'm up against. I focus on my goals, and I try to ignore the rest." –Venus Williams
• "You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take." –Wayne Gretzky
• "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." –Arthur Ashe
• "Don't dream of winning, train for it." –Mo Farah
• "Never let the fear of striking out get in your way" -Babe Ruth

Quotes from leaders and changemakers

Leaders, thinkers, and innovators often share wisdom about creativity, purpose, and making a difference in the world:

• "You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it." –Margaret Thatcher
• "Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts." –Albert Einstein
• "We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves." –Dalai Lama XIV
• "Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice." –Steve Jobs
• "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." –Franklin D. Roosevelt
• "Everything you can imagine is real." –Pablo Picasso
• "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." –Walt Disney

Encouraging quotes for older kids and teens

Older children and teens may start thinking about their lives in new ways, and teen therapy can offer a supportive space as they consider their futures, who they are, and who they want to be. This period of identity formation and future planning can bring both excitement and uncertainty. Older kids may need inspiration to understand that the future belongs to them and that they already possess the inner power to shape it.

Quotes about growing up and independence

• "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." –Eleanor Roosevelt
• "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." –E.E. Cummings
• "You are the hero of your own story." –Joseph Campbell
• "You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop." –Rumi
• "Your growth is limited only by how much you're willing to put in the effort." –Unknown
• "You are capable of making a difference in the world." –Malala Yousafzai

Quotes about life, purpose, and possibility

• "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." –Mahatma Gandhi
• "When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful." –Malala Yousafzai
• "The two most important days in life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why." –Mark Twain
• "If you can't figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose." –Bishop T.D. Jakes
• "The best way to lengthen out our days is to walk steadily and with a purpose." –Charles Dickens
• "Positive anything is better than negative nothing." –Elbert Hubbard

How to use inspirational quotes with children

Finding the right quote is half the job, but delivering it in a way that resonates is equally important. Quotes can become more meaningful when they're woven into everyday moments and used as conversation starters rather than simply recited. Here are some practical strategies for incorporating quotes into your interactions with children:

1. Choose quotes that relate to something the child is currently experiencing, such as a challenge at school or a new activity they're trying.

2. Share quotes at natural moments, like during car rides, at mealtimes, or before bed.

3. Write quotes on notes and tuck them into lunchboxes, backpacks, or books.

4. Create a "quote of the day" ritual where you discuss a new quote each morning.

5. Display favorite quotes in visible places, like on the refrigerator or a bedroom wall.

Discussion starters for sharing quotes

Rather than simply reading a quote aloud, you might use it as a springboard for deeper conversation. Asking open-ended questions to get to know someone deeply can help children process the meaning of these quotes and connect them to their own lives. Here are some questions you might try:

• "What do you think this quote means?"
• "Can you think of a time when this applied to you?"
• "How might this idea help you with something you're working on?"
• "Who do you know that lives by this message?"

Making quotes part of daily routines

Consistency can help quotes become a natural part of a child's thinking. When inspirational messages appear regularly, children may begin to internalize their meanings over time. Here are some ideas for building quotes into daily life:

• Start each morning by reading a quote together at breakfast.
• Include a handwritten quote in your child's lunchbox as a midday encouragement.
• End the day by reflecting on how a quote applied to something that happened.
• Create a family quote jar where everyone can add favorites and draw one each week.

Supporting children's mental health as a parent or caregiver

If you interact with children daily, whether at home or at work, you're likely to face both joys and challenges regularly. While raising or teaching children can be a very rewarding experience, it can also be frustrating or even draining at times. In those moments, it might help to take a deep breath and remember why this work matters.

Those who work in child-related fields, such as teachers, pediatricians, guidance counselors, and social workers who specialize in children, may experience burnout or compassion fatigue over time. Parents or caregivers may have trouble managing stress related to raising a child, or may simply need some time and an outlet for themselves.

Benefits of online therapy for caregivers

Prioritizing self-care may be essential rather than optional. Individuals in these or similar situations may all benefit from the nonjudgmental listening ear of a trained therapist. If your schedule makes it difficult to regularly travel to and from in-person therapy appointments, you might consider online therapy instead. With a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging, all from the comfort of home. Some providers on BetterHelp may be in-network with certain health plans, allowing you to pay for telehealth with insurance, and the cost of online therapy via BetterHelp ranges from $70 to $100 per week, billed weekly or monthly, with costs based on your location, referral source, preferences, any applicable discounts, and therapist availability. Learn more about insurance coverage Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability.

BetterHelp also now offers psychiatry services through Uplift as an additional care option alongside therapy for adults ages 18 and older. Psychiatry services may include medication management when clinically appropriate and based on a licensed psychiatric provider's evaluation. Learn more about getting started with psychiatry. Medication availability and coverage may vary by member location, clinical appropriateness, and individual pharmacy/insurance benefits. Prescribing decisions are made by the treating clinicians. We do not guarantee that any specific medication will be prescribed or covered by a member's insurance plan.

How effective online therapy may be

One meta-analysis published in Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy suggests that video-delivered psychotherapy may offer outcomes similar to in-person therapy for many people, particularly for concerns like anxiety and depression (Fernandez et al. 2021). In BetterHelp's 2024 outcomes report, 72% of BetterHelp users experienced a reduction in symptoms in 12 weeks, with users rating live sessions 4.9 out of 5 on average from over 1.7 million client ratings. For caregivers balancing busy schedules, online therapy can be one option to consider when seeking support that fits more easily into daily life.

When using insurance, certain BetterHelp features may be limited or unavailable, including chat-based sessions, groups/classes, and select self-help tools.