Children’s Mental Health Week Activities

Children’s Mental Health Week 2025: “Know Yourself, Grow Yourself”

Children’s Mental Health Week 2025 runs from February 3rd–9th and this year’s theme, “Know Yourself, Grow Yourself,” encourages children to explore their emotions, strengths, and unique qualities to support their mental wellbeing.

Understanding who we are – our feelings, challenges, and abilities, helps children build confidence, resilience and a positive mindset. By encouraging self-awareness and self-growth, we can empower children to navigate life’s ups and downs with confidence.

Here are some fun and effective ways to help children “Know Themselves” and “Grow Themselves” during Children’s Mental Health Week.

1. Self-Reflection & Journaling

Encouraging children to reflect on their thoughts and emotions helps build self-awareness. Try:
✅ Feelings Check-In: Use an emotions chart or simple questions like “How do I feel today?” and “Why?”
✅ Gratitude Journaling: Writing or drawing three things they’re grateful for daily can boost positivity.
✅ Strengths and Achievements List: Encourage kids to list things they are proud of and what makes them special.

2. Growth Mindset Activities

Helping children see challenges as opportunities for learning and growth is key to resilience.
🌱 Try Something New: Encourage them to step outside their comfort zone—whether it’s a new sport, hobby or food!🌱

Visit our Recipes or What’s On page for inspiration, or click here for a list of Local Clubs and Classes

Celebrate Mistakes: Talk about how mistakes help us learn and grow. Share your own experiences to show that setbacks are normal.

🌱 Power of “Yet”: If a child says, “I can’t do this,” encourage them to add “yet” to the end—“I can’t do this yet!”

3. Mindfulness & Relaxation

Being present in the moment helps children manage stress and anxiety.
🧘 Breathing Exercises: Teach simple techniques like “balloon breathing” (inhaling deeply as if inflating a balloon and exhaling slowly).
🧘 Guided Meditation: Use child-friendly mindfulness apps or YouTube videos to help them relax.
🧘 Mindful Colouring or Drawing: Creative activities can calm the mind while encouraging self-expression.

Click here for Colouring, Quizzes and Craft ideas.

4. Expressing Identity Through Creativity

Encourage children to explore who they are through artistic and creative activities.
🎨 Vision Boards: Have kids cut out pictures and words that represent their dreams, goals, and values.
🎨 Music & Dance: Encourage them to express emotions through their favourite songs and movements.
🎨 Storytelling: Let kids create stories about characters who face challenges and grow stronger.

5. Building Strong Connections

Knowing ourselves also means understanding how we relate to others.
🤝 Acts of Kindness: Encourage kids to write kind notes to friends, help at home or compliment someone.
🤝 Friendship Circles: Talk about what makes a good friend and how we can support each other.
🤝 Family “Know Yourself” Time: Have family discussions about personal strengths, challenges, and dreams.

Children’s Mental Health Week is a fantastic opportunity to nurture self-awareness and confidence in young people. By helping them “Know Themselves” and “Grow Themselves,” we give them lifelong tools to manage emotions, embrace challenges and thrive.

What activities will you try with your children this week? Let’s celebrate self-growth together!