100 Ways to Grow Hoping Skills as a Family
How do you teach children how to hope? How do we teach ourselves? Here’s a practical (and completely doable) guide to building emotional resilience, connection, and belief in brighter tomorrows—together. Don’t be overwhelmed by the list. You don’t have to do it all today. Aim to do one a week, or one a month, or one whenever you can, but be sure to incorporate hope into the life and routine of your child’s developing mind.
Emotional Awareness & Expression
-
Ask, “What’s one thing that gave you hope today?”
-
Share a story about a time you did not give up.
-
Name emotions at dinner using a “feelings wheel.”
-
Use colored pencils to draw how your heart feels.
-
Write each other kind notes and hide them around the house.
-
Make up a “family emotion dance” for when feelings are big.
-
Use affirmations during brushing teeth (“I am strong.”)
-
Say, “It’s okay to feel this way. We’ll figure it out.”
-
Create a “safe space” corner with pillows, books, and journals.
-
Watch a movie that sparks emotional conversations, then talk about it.
Storytelling & Reflection
-
Start a “Hope Journal” as a family.
-
Interview grandparents about tough times they overcame.
-
Share bedtime stories where the main character is brave.
-
Make a “This is Us” scrapbook of hopeful family memories.
-
Write letters to your future selves and open them later.
-
Share favorite quotes and talk about what they mean.
-
Play “3 Things I’m Grateful For” at bedtime.
-
List 10 things that have changed for the better in your life.
-
Tell your child about something they did that gave you hope.
-
Celebrate “Small Wins Sunday” weekly.
Reading & Learning Together
-
Visit the library and find books about courage and dreams.
-
Read a hopeful book out loud together.
-
Start a “Books That Helped Us Hope” shelf.
-
Write your own short family storybook.
-
Turn your favorite children’s book quote into wall art.
-
Learn about a historical figure who overcame adversity.
-
Create a dream vision board based on books you’ve read.
-
Read a bedtime poem about light, dreams, or love.
-
Write your own “What If I Tried” story.
-
Highlight the “helpers” in every story—real or fictional.
Goal-Setting & Dream-Building
-
Set a family dream goal (trip, project, cause).
-
Help your child set a 1-week goal and celebrate effort.
-
Create a “Vision Wall” with dreams, hopes, and affirmations.
-
Ask: “What’s something you want to be better at?”
-
Celebrate progress, not perfection.
-
Make a family bucket list together.
-
Keep a “Try Again” tracker to celebrate persistence.
-
Talk about times when hope helped you keep going.
-
Draw or map out a future goal with art supplies.
-
Revisit dreams that were paused—talk about reviving them.
Conversation Starters & Connection Builders
-
Ask: “What’s one thing you’re looking forward to?”
-
Ask: “If you could create anything, what would it be?”
-
Take turns saying what you admire in each other.
-
Have a “no negativity” dinner once a week.
-
Start each morning with, “What do we want today to feel like?”
-
Create a Family Hope Jar—drop dreams in all week.
-
Use car rides for quiet check-ins, not lectures.
-
Ask, “What’s something you believed in that came true?”
-
Make a weekly gratitude chain from colored paper.
-
Say “I believe in you” often—and mean it.
♀️ Self-Care & Wellness
-
Do 3 deep breaths together during tough moments.
-
Practice guided imagery: “What does peace look like?”
-
Use calming scents like lavender during bedtime routines.
-
Try yoga or stretching with peaceful music.
-
Create a family spa night—nurturing inside and out.
-
Take tech-free walks and listen to nature.
-
Keep a “Hope Playlist” with songs that lift the mood.
-
Cook a healthy meal together and talk about nourishment.
-
Drink water with a “cheers to hope” toast.
-
Let everyone have a mental health day when needed.
Creativity & Play
-
Draw a “future you” full of hope and confidence.
-
Make an “affirmation banner” to hang in a common space.
-
Paint rocks with positive messages and leave them in the community.
-
Start a hope-themed photo challenge.
-
Write a family poem about strength or dreams.
-
Create your own family hope mascot or superhero.
-
Craft wish stars or “dream clouds” to hang in bedrooms.
-
Invent a board game with hopeful messages and actions.
-
Make hope bracelets with words like “courage” and “believe.”
-
Have a “Hope Art Day” where everyone creates freely.
Service & Community
-
Volunteer together for a cause you care about.
-
Make care packages for a local shelter.
-
Plant a tree or garden as a symbol of hope growing.
-
Host a book drive or clothes donation event.
-
Send kind letters to elders or kids in hospitals.
-
Support a dream of another child (fundraiser, letter, gift).
-
Make a kindness calendar and check off daily acts.
-
Sponsor a family goal and track progress.
-
Have kids draw “thank you” notes for helpers in the community.
-
Talk about how helping others also helps you feel hopeful.
Spiritual & Soulful Practices
-
Say a hope-filled prayer or intention together.
-
Light a candle for someone you’re thinking about.
-
Create a family mantra to say in hard times.
-
Sit in silence together for 1 minute each day.
-
Journal about what you believe in—even when it’s hard.
-
Create a “Hope Altar” with symbols, photos, and items that inspire.
-
Let kids talk about dreams, angels, magic—no correcting.
-
Spend time in nature and notice its rhythms.
-
Tell stories of miracles, big or small.
-
Use bedtime as a sacred space to reflect and bless.
Everyday Hope Habits
-
Post a quote of the week in your home.
-
Tell your child every day: “I’m so glad you’re here.”
-
Let them overhear you talking positively about them.
-
Let your kids see you cry—and get back up.
-
Speak aloud your own hopes—model the practice.
-
Write hope notes on lunchboxes or mirrors.
-
Create a ritual to end bad days with grace.
-
Let go of “perfect” and celebrate “present.”
-
Laugh together. A lot.
-
Believe out loud. That’s how they’ll learn to do it too.
If you love this list share it with others in your life who need more hope in their day too.