20 of the Best Inspirational Quotes for Kids

These days, kids often hear discouraging words. Words that can make them feel like they are not “good enough.” Images in the media can perpetuate negative thoughts as well. It’s our job as parents to help them navigate through negativity with words of inspiration and encouragement. These 17 inspirational quotes for kids come from both modern-day and historical figures. They can be great conversation starters for family discussions or serve as words of affirmation for your children.

Why Inspirational Quotes for Kids are so Important

As parents, it’s our job to ensure that our children grow up happy and healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally. It seems like that’s harder than ever to do these days. If we can find tools to help us make a bigger impact on our children’s lives, we should use them. That’s why these quotes are so important.

On their own, these quotes deliver important messages that can resonate with our children, but beyond that, they are excellent conversation starters, allowing us to go deeper into these concepts and make indelible positive imprints on our children.

Inspirational Quotes for Kids

Quotes About dreams

All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them” – Walt Disney

Pursuing your dreams can be a bit scary. It takes courage to keep on the path of your dreams. There will always be challenges and setbacks, but when you pursue your dreams, it’s about pushing through and making them happen.

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis

Both my husband and I have put experienced this idea in our lives and we’ve let our kids know that if for some reason you don’t reach a goal, you can try something new. My husband was in the film industry and is now a lawyer. I was in business and now work on my blog from home where I can spend more time with my family.

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

This is one of my favorite inspirational quotes for kids. Having a daughter with a learning disability makes this statement so important for her. Kids don’t have to “know it all” to have big dreams to strive for. Big dreams can be like magic. Kids can find ways to make them happen.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

This is one of my all-time favorite quotes. I created a wall hanging with it for my daughter’s room. Remind your children that big or small, their dreams are beautiful.

There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”– Paulo Coelho

My daughter and I are both perfectionists. We can get caught up by our fear of failure. Luckily, my son and husband are not afraid to take risks. We help balance each other out. Remind your kids that it’s ok to be afraid, but to try anyway. You will rarely regret what you try, but you will regret the opportunities you never gave a chance.

Quotes About Success

You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – A.A. Milne/Christopher Robin

This one is so perfect for little kids. Reminding children that they are courageous, smart and strong helps build their character. Inspire them to do new things, even if they are a bit unsure of themselves. Celebrate successes, but also remind them that failure is ok too. Each time, they will learn and grow.

Winning doesn’t always mean being first. Winning means you’re doing better than you’ve done before. ” – Bonnie Blair

I think this one is especially great for teens. They can be really hard on themselves, especially in the face of failure. They often spend a lot of time comparing themselves to others. I remind my kids that the only competition they have is with themselves. Each day we can work toward being better versions of ourselves.

Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from doing what you can do.” – John Wooden

I’ve used this one quite a bit with my kids. There will always be times when you can’t do something or at least not as well as you would like. The key is to inspire kids to focus on what they can do. What they can’t do today, can be a challenge to face another day.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt

A similar message to the one above. It’s another positive message to help kids think about what they can do now instead of what they can’t do.

No one is perfect – that’s why pencils have erasers.” – Wolfgang Riebe

This is a great inspirational quote for kids in elementary school. It teaches them that no one is perfect. We will all make mistakes. While we can’t truly “erase” them, we can learn from them and move on.

Take interest and even delight in doing the small things well.” – Jim Rohn

Another quote I love. I use it to remind my kids that even common things that we do every day can help us succeed in life. It takes effort and hard work to make big things happen, but it always starts with the small things.

Quotes About Life

Be Silly, Be Honest, Be Kind.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I actually have this quote hanging in our bathroom. It’s so simple, yet so true! It’s one of the best quotes for little kids. Being silly allows kids to be themselves. Not to be embarrassed when they want to run, giggle and dance. It’s a joyful celebration of life. Being honest means that people can count on you and helps build strong friendships. I tell my kids that being kind is always the right way to go.

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

I used to think that this quote meant I needed to do something huge to change the world. Over time, I realized that even small changes can create a ripple effect of change. I tell my kids to consider what changes they want to see in their world. My son said he’d like to see more peace. I told him that if we want to see more peace in the world, we need to find ways to share the love within our communities.

Make Each Day Your Masterpiece” – John Wooden

Another great quote from Mr. Wooden. I find it so much more meaningful than more cliche quotes like “Live for today,” “Take it one day at a time,” etc. They essentially mean the same thing, but having kids think about each day as your their own personal masterpiece is pretty powerful.

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” – Dalai Lama

I’ve told my kids this story – “I once went to a business retreat where managers shared what they wanted to be remembered for. So many said they wanted to become a CEO, start their own company, etc. I said that I wanted to be remembered for being kind.” My daughter said, “Kindness always wins!” I couldn’t have been more proud.

The time is always right to do what is right.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Similar to the quote above, doing the right thing is always what’s best. I have this quote on a T-shirt so my kids get to see this one a lot.

Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” – Maya Angelou

My son is great at this. He lets negativity roll off his back for the most part. I’ve told him that he reminds me of this quote. I find it one of the most beautiful quotes about how to live your life. If you are truly happy within, no one can take that from you unless you let them.

Quotes About Giving

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

This is such an important quote because it perfectly illustrates the idea that giving of yourself is better than always wondering what’s in it for you. Learning that giving and helping others is one of the most important lessons in life, I think.

To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own.” – Abraham Lincoln

Another excellent quote about the power of empathy and being a shoulder to lean on for our fellow humans. This is an excellent conversation opener about why empathy is so important.

If you’re in the luckiest one percent of humanity, you owe it to the resxt of humanity to think about the other 99 percent.” – Warren Buffett

This is one of the best inspirational quotes for kids I’ve ever found about giving. It highlights the importance of giving, social justice, and thinking about what you can do for your fellow man simultaneously. There are a lot of excellent concepts packed into this post.

Inspirational Quotes for Kids Inspire and Teach

It’s important to build our children up, but it’s also important to teach them how to build up others, as well. These inspirational quotes for kids can empower them, excite them, and fill them with determination and confidence. What’s more, they can also teach them the importance of building up others, as well as how to think about treating everyone. They’re all important concepts and these inspirational quotes for kids will help you teach them to your kids.

You might also like:
50 Words of Affirmation for Kids
51 Awesome Conversation Starters for Kids

Do you have motivational quotes that you love for your kids? Share in a comment.

Sharing is caring!